What does 1 Samuel 28:12 mean?
"And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul." - 1 Samuel 28:12
1 Samuel 28:12 (KJV) states: "And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul."
This verse comes from the Old Testament and is part of the story of King Saul seeking guidance from a medium. This story takes place during a time of turmoil and conflict in the history of Israel. The themes present in this verse include desperation, betrayal, and the consequences of disobedience.
In this verse, we see the woman, who is a medium, reacting with shock and fear when she sees Samuel, who has been summoned from the dead by her ritual. The woman immediately cries out and confronts Saul for deceiving her. This reaction is a result of the woman realizing the true identity of the person she has summoned, and the gravity of the situation begins to sink in. This moment is pivotal in the story as it highlights the consequences of Saul's actions and the depth of his desperation.
The context of this verse is crucial to understanding its significance. King Saul had been repeatedly disobedient to God's commands, and as a result, God had withdrawn his favor from Saul. Saul had been rejected by God as king over Israel, and he was facing imminent war with the Philistines. In his desperation, Saul sought guidance from a medium, a practice that was explicitly forbidden by God. This act of seeking guidance from a medium demonstrated Saul's lack of trust in God and his willingness to disobey God's commands in his quest for answers.
The symbolism in this verse is profound. The appearance of Samuel, the deceased prophet, through the medium's ritual represents the consequences of Saul's disobedience. It is a powerful and haunting reminder that God's laws cannot be circumvented, and there are severe repercussions for defying them. Additionally, the medium's reaction serves as a symbol of the gravity of the situation and the fear that Saul's actions have instilled in others. This verse also symbolizes the depth of Saul's desperation and the lengths to which he was willing to go in order to seek guidance, even if it meant defying God's commands.
Overall, 1 Samuel 28:12 is a pivotal verse in the story of Saul's disobedience and desperation. It serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of defying God's commands and the depth of Saul's desperation. The themes of betrayal, disobedience, and the consequences of one's actions are evident in this verse, making it a crucial part of the larger narrative of Saul's downfall. The symbolism of Samuel's appearance and the medium's reaction further emphasize the gravity of the situation and the severe repercussions of Saul's actions. This verse ultimately serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of disobedience and the importance of trusting in God's guidance.
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1 Samuel 28:12 - "And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul."
1 Samuel 28:12-14 (KJVA) 12 And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul. 13 And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth. 14 And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself.
1 Samuel 28:12-14 (KJVA) 12 And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul. 13 And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth. 14 And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself.
"And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul." - 1 Samuel 28:12
1 Samuel 28:15
1 Samuel 28:7
1 Samuel 28:15-19
1 Samuel 28:15-20
1 Samuel 28:15 Saul is desperate
1 Chronicles 6:28 - "And the sons of Samuel; the firstborn Vashni, and Abiah."
1 Samuel 28:11 - "Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel."
1 Samuel 28:16 - "Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?"
1 Samuel 12
1 Samuel 4:12
2 Samuel 12:28 - "Now therefore gather the rest of the people together, and encamp against the city, and take it: lest I take the city, and it be called after my name."
1 Samuel 18:28 - "¶ And Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal Saul's daughter loved him."
1 Samuel 20:28 - "And Jonathan answered Saul, David earnestly asked leave of me to go to Beth-lehem:"
1 Samuel 28:5 - "And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled."
1 Samuel 2:12
1 Samuel 12:13
1 Samuel 12:13
1 Samuel 15:28 - "And Samuel said unto him, The LORD hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou."
1 Samuel 28:10 - "And Saul sware to her by the LORD, saying, As the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing."
1 Samuel 12:18 - "So Samuel called unto the LORD; and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel."
1 Samuel 28:20 - "Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night."
1 Samuel 28:6 - "And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets."
1 Samuel 30:28 - "And to them which were in Aroer, and to them which were in Siphmoth, and to them which were in Eshtemoa,"
1 Samuel 1:28 - "Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there."
1 Samuel 23:28 - "Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth."
1 Samuel 28:4 - "And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa."