1 Sam. 28 Achish intending war against Israel, relieth on David, 1 Sam. 28:1–2. Saul having destroyed the witches, yet, Samuel being dead, in his fear, forsaken of God, seeketh to a witch, 1 Sam. 28:3–8.

The Philistines were encouraged by Samuel’s death, and Saul’s degeneration, and David’s presence with Achish. Thou shalt go out with me to battle: this he saith, partly to try his sincerity; and partly in confidence of David’s fidelity.

David speaks ambitiously, as he did before, that Achish might understand him, as he did, of his acting for him against the Israelites; whereas he meant it of his acting for the Israelites against the Philistines, to which he was obliged both by God’s express command, and by his indelible and…

Samuel was dead: this is mentioned here as the reason why Saul did not inquire of Samuel; which, if he had now been alive, he would have done. In his own city, where he had his birth and education, and most settled habitation, 1 Sam. 19:18.

Shunem; a town in the tribe of Issachar, Josh. 19:18. Gilboa; a mountain not far from the valley of Jezreel, where the battle was fought, 1 Sam. 31:1, 2 Sam. 1:21. So the two armies seem to be placed in the same manner as they were 1 Sam. 17:0, each upon a hill, and a valley between them.

Saul saw the host from Mount Gilboa, 1 Sam. 31:1. His heart greatly trembled; partly, from the greatness and resoluteness of the host of the Philistines, who were the aggressors; partly, from the loss of David, who might have been of great use to him at this time; partly, from the conscience of his…

Saul inquired of the Lord, in his slight and perfunctory way, as 1 Sam. 14:19, as appears from hence, that when God did not speedily answer him, he goes to the devil for an answer, 1 Sam. 28:7; for which reason he is said, not to have inquired of the Lord, 1 Chron. 10:14, i.e.

Seek me a woman, rather than a man; for he thought that sex most likely to be given to those wicked arts, as being the weaker sex, and so aptest to be deceived, and most prone to superstition, and ofttimes most malicious and revengeful.

Saul disguised himself; both because he was ashamed to be known, or thought guilty of this practice; and because he suspected that the woman, had she known him, would not practise her art before him.

Woman said, Behold, thou knowest; for his speech and garb discovered him to be an Israelite, and therefore acquainted with these matters. To cause me to die, by accusing me to Saul as guilty of a capital crime.

Whose kindness and compassion to him, as he had formerly experienced, so now he expected it in his deep distress. This practice of divination by the dead, or by the ghosts or souls of dead persons, called up by magical art, was very usual among all nations, and from them Saul learned it.

She cried with a loud voice, for fear of her life, Saul himself being witness of her crime. Thou art Saul: this she knew, either by some gesture of reverence which this supposed Samuel might show to Saul, as to the king; or by information from this ghost; or from the spirit by whose help she had…

i.e. A god, a divine person, glorious, and full of majesty and splendour, exceeding not only mortal men, but common ghosts. She useth the plural number, gods, either after the manner of the Hebrew language, which commonly useth that word of one person; or after the language and custom of the…

He is covered with a mantle; the usual habit of prophets, 2 Kings 2:8, 2 Kings 2:13, Zech. 13:4, and particularly of Samuel, 1 Sam. 15:27. Saul perceived that it was Samuel; the woman pretended, and Saul upon her suggestion believed, that it was Samuel indeed; and so many popish and some other…

Samuel said to Saul; as the devil appeared in Samuel’s shape and garb, so also he speaketh in his person, that he might insnare Saul, and encourage others to seek to him in this wicked way. And God permits him to do so for Saul’s greater condemnation and punishment.

The Lord hath done to him, i.e. to David, as it is explained in the following words; the pronoun relative put before the noun to which it belongs, as is usual in the Hebrew text, as Ps. 87:0; Ps. 105:19; Proverbs 7:7, Prov. 7:8; Jer. 40:5.

Nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek; he mentions this as an eminent instance of his disobedience.

With me, i.e. in the state of the dead; and so it was true both of Saul and Jonathan. Or, in the state of rest; for though thou shalt suffer here for thy sin, yet after death thou shalt be happy, as dying in the Lord’s quarrel: so the devil’s design might be to flatter Saul into an opinion of his…

Saul fell along on the earth, being quite dispirited with these sad and surprising tidings, and so unable to stand.

The woman came unto Saul; from whom she departed, when she had brought him and Samuel together, that they might more freely converse together, as being alone.

This earnestness did not come merely from her humanity and respect to Saul, but from a prudent and necessary care of herself, because if Saul had died in her house, his blood would have been charged upon her.

Compelled him, i.e. did over-persuade him, by importunate entreaties, as the next words show.

Not having time to leaven it.

i.e. Before morning; for he came by night, 1 Sam. 28:8, and went away before day; not willing to have it discovered that he had consulted with a witch.