1 Samuel 28:25
1 Samuel 28:25 in Multiple Translations
She served it to Saul and his servants, and they ate. And that night they got up and left.
And she brought it before Saul, and before his servants; and they did eat. Then they rose up, and went away that night.
and she brought it before Saul, and before his servants; and they did eat. Then they rose up, and went away that night.
And she put it before Saul and his servants, and they had a meal. Then they got up and went away the same night.
She served the meal to Saul and his men, and they ate it. Then they got up and left, the same night.
Then she brought them before Saul, and before his seruants: and when they had eaten, they stoode, and went away the same night.
and bringeth nigh before Saul, and before his servants, and they eat, and rise, and go on, during that night.
She brought it before Saul and before his servants, and they ate. Then they rose up and went away that night.
And she brought it before Saul, and before his servants; and they ate. Then they arose and went away that night.
And set it before Saul, and before his servants. And when they had eaten they rose up, and walked all that night.
She placed the food in front of Saul and his servants, and they ate some of it. Then that night they got up and left.
She gave food to Saul and the other 2 men. After they ate it, they went back to their camp, while it was still dark.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 28:25
BAB
Word Study
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1 Samuel 28:25 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/תַּגֵּ֧שׁ
לִ/פְנֵֽי
שָׁא֛וּל
וְ/לִ/פְנֵ֥י
עֲבָדָ֖י/ו
וַ/יֹּאכֵ֑לוּ
וַ/יָּקֻ֥מוּ
וַ/יֵּלְכ֖וּ
בַּ/לַּ֥יְלָה
הַ/הֽוּא
וַ/תַּגֵּ֧שׁ
nâgash
H5066
to approach
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3fs
לִ/פְנֵֽי
pânîym
H6440
face
Prep | N-cp
שָׁא֛וּל
Shâʼûwl
H7586
Shaul
N-proper
וְ/לִ/פְנֵ֥י
pânîym
H6440
face
Conj | Prep | N-cp
עֲבָדָ֖י/ו
ʻebed
H5650
servant/slave
N-mp | Suff
וַ/יֹּאכֵ֑לוּ
ʼâkal
H398
to eat
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
וַ/יָּקֻ֥מוּ
qûwm
H6965
-kamai
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
וַ/יֵּלְכ֖וּ
yâlak
H3212
to walk
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
בַּ/לַּ֥יְלָה
layil
H3915
night
Prep | N-ms
הַ/הֽוּא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Art | Pron
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 28:25
וַ/תַּגֵּ֧שׁ
nâgash
H5066
"to approach"
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3fs
To approach or draw near, like Moses to the burning bush, and can also mean to worship or present an argument, as in Genesis 18:23.
Definition: : approach 1) to draw near, approach 1a) (Qal) to draw or come near 1a1) of humans 1a1a) of sexual intercourse 1a2) of inanimate subject 1a2a) to approach one another 1b) (Niphal) to draw near 1c) (Hiphil) to cause to approach, bring near, bring 1d) (Hophal) to be brought near 1e) (Hithpael) to draw near Also means: na.gash (נָגַשׁ ": bring" H5066H)
Usage: Occurs in 112 OT verses. KJV: (make to) approach (nigh), bring (forth, hither, near), (cause to) come (hither, near, nigh), give place, go hard (up), (be, draw, go) near (nigh), offer, overtake, present, put, stand. See also: Genesis 18:23; 1 Samuel 28:25; Psalms 91:7.
לִ/פְנֵֽי
pânîym
H6440
"face"
Prep | N-cp
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
שָׁא֛וּל
Shâʼûwl
H7586
"Shaul"
N-proper
Shaul is a personal name meaning desired, given to several individuals in the Bible, including a Benjamite who became the first king of Israel and a Levite living during the time of the Divided Monarchy. He is mentioned in 1 Chronicles and 1 Samuel.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ch.6.24; son of: Uzziah (H5818H); father of: Elkanah (H0511I); also called Joel at 1Ch.6.36; Also named: yo.el (יוֹאֵל "Joel" H3100U) § Saul or Shaul = "desired" 1) a Benjamite, son of Kish, and the 1st king of Israel 2) an early king of Edom and a successor of Samlah 3) a son of Simeon 4) a Levite, son of Uzziah
Usage: Occurs in 335 OT verses. KJV: Saul, Shaul. See also: Genesis 36:37; 1 Samuel 16:22; 1 Samuel 24:5.
וְ/לִ/פְנֵ֥י
pânîym
H6440
"face"
Conj | Prep | N-cp
This word means face or presence, like being in front of someone or something. It's used in many contexts, like in Genesis, Exodus, and Psalms, to describe interactions and relationships.
Definition: : face 1) face 1a) face, faces 1b) presence, person 1c) face (of seraphim or cherubim) 1d) face (of animals) 1e) face, surface (of ground) 1f) as adv of loc/temp 1f1) before and behind, toward, in front of, forward, formerly, from beforetime, before 1g) with prep 1g1) in front of, before, to the front of, in the presence of, in the face of, at the face or front of, from the presence of, from before, from before the face of
Usage: Occurs in 1891 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 43:31; Exodus 30:16.
עֲבָדָ֖י/ו
ʻebed
H5650
"servant/slave"
N-mp | Suff
This word refers to a servant or slave, often in the context of serving God or a human master. It can also describe a prophet or Levite. The KJV translates it as bondage, bondman, or servant.
Definition: 1) slave, servant 1a) slave, servant, man-servant 1b) subjects 1c) servants, worshippers (of God) 1d) servant (in special sense as prophets, Levites etc) 1e) servant (of Israel) 1f) servant (as form of address between equals) Aramaic equivalent: a.vad (עֲבַד "servant/slave" H5649)
Usage: Occurs in 714 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] bondage, bondman, (bond-) servant, (man-) servant. See also: Genesis 9:25; Exodus 11:3; 1 Samuel 8:16.
וַ/יֹּאכֵ֑לוּ
ʼâkal
H398
"to eat"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.
Definition: 1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to eat (human subject) 1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds) 1a3) to devour, consume (of fire) 1a4) to devour, slay (of sword) 1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought) 1a6) to devour (of oppression) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be eaten (by men) 1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire) 1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh) 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to cause to eat, feed with 1c2) to cause to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to feed 1d2) to cause to eat 1e) (Piel) 1e1) consume Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)
Usage: Occurs in 703 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 6:9; Numbers 24:8.
וַ/יָּקֻ֥מוּ
qûwm
H6965
"-kamai"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
Qum means to rise or stand up, used in various contexts like rising to power or standing firm, as seen in Jeremiah and Ezra.
Definition: Combined with lev (לֵב "Leb" H3820B) § -Kamai = "my adversary" Leb-kamai, i.e., people of Gambulai
Usage: Occurs in 596 OT verses. KJV: abide, accomplish, [idiom] be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, [idiom] be dim, endure, [idiom] enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift up (again), make, [idiom] but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise (up), rear (up), remain, (a-) rise (up) (again, against), rouse up, set (up), (e-) stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up, strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -rising). See also: Genesis 4:8; Numbers 30:13; Ruth 4:10.
וַ/יֵּלְכ֖וּ
yâlak
H3212
"to walk"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3mp
To walk or go, this verb means to move from one place to another, used literally or figuratively, as in to live or die, or to lead someone.
Definition: 1) to go, walk, come 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go, walk, come, depart, proceed, move, go away 1a2) to die, live, manner of life (fig.) 1b) (Hiphil) to lead, bring, lead away, carry, cause to walk
Usage: Occurs in 936 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] again, away, bear, bring, carry (away), come (away), depart, flow, [phrase] follow(-ing), get (away, hence, him), (cause to, made) go (away, -ing, -ne, one's way, out), grow, lead (forth), let down, march, prosper, [phrase] pursue, cause to run, spread, take away (-journey), vanish, (cause to) walk(-ing), wax, [idiom] be weak. See also: Genesis 3:14; Exodus 5:8; Deuteronomy 28:14.
בַּ/לַּ֥יְלָה
layil
H3915
"night"
Prep | N-ms
Night refers to the time of darkness, opposed to day, and can also symbolize adversity or hardship. It is a period of rest, but also of potential danger or uncertainty.
Definition: 1) night 1a) night (as opposed to day) 1b) of gloom, protective shadow (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 223 OT verses. KJV: (mid-)night (season). See also: Genesis 1:5; 2 Samuel 17:16; Psalms 1:2.
הַ/הֽוּא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Art | Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
Study Notes — 1 Samuel 28:25
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Saul and the Medium of Endor
23Saul refused, saying, “I will not eat.” But his servants joined the woman in urging him, and he heeded their voice. He got up from the ground and sat on the bed.
24The woman had a fattened calf at her house, and she quickly slaughtered it. She also took flour, kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread.
25She served it to Saul and his servants, and they ate. And that night they got up and left.
1 Samuel 28:25 Summary
This verse shows us the woman serving Saul and his servants a meal, which is an act of kindness and hospitality. We can learn from her example by being willing to help others in practical ways, like feeding the hungry (Matthew 25:35) or visiting the lonely (Matthew 25:36). Just like the woman, we can show love and care to those around us by meeting their physical needs, and we should always remember to prioritize our spiritual needs and seek guidance from God (Psalm 119:105) rather than seeking it from other sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the woman serve Saul and his servants a meal?
The woman served them a meal because they were hungry and needed physical nourishment after their journey, as we see in 1 Samuel 28:24 where she quickly prepares a meal for them, and this act of kindness is reminiscent of the hospitality shown in Genesis 18:1-8 where Abraham serves the Lord and two angels.
What can we learn from the woman's actions in this verse?
We can learn about the importance of hospitality and taking care of others' physical needs, as seen in 1 Peter 4:9 where it says to 'offer hospitality to one another without grumbling', and also in Matthew 25:35 where Jesus says 'I was hungry and you gave me something to eat'.
Why did Saul and his servants leave that night?
Saul and his servants left that night because they had received the information they were seeking from the medium, as seen in 1 Samuel 28:19, and they were likely anxious to return to their responsibilities, although the exact reason for their departure is not specified in this verse.
Is this verse suggesting that Saul and his servants were justified in seeking out the medium?
No, this verse is not suggesting that they were justified, as we see in Deuteronomy 18:10-12 and Leviticus 19:31 that God forbids consulting mediums and spiritists, and Saul's actions in 1 Samuel 28:3 and 1 Samuel 28:7 show that he was aware of God's laws but chose to disobey them.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways I can show hospitality to others like the woman in this verse?
- How can I balance my physical needs with my spiritual needs, like Saul and his servants who were hungry but also seeking spiritual guidance?
- What are some things I can learn from the woman's selfless actions in this verse, and how can I apply them to my own life?
- In what ways can I prioritize my relationship with God, like Saul should have done instead of seeking out the medium?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 28:25
And she brought [it] before Saul, and before his servants, and they did eat,.... Of the fatted calf, and unleavened bread, which she set upon a table before them, in the best manner she could: then
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 28:25
i.e. Before morning; for he came by night, , and went away before day; not willing to have it discovered that he had consulted with a witch.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Samuel 28:25
(25) Went away that night.—The same night they retraced their steps, and returned to Gilboa. “Saul was too hardened in his sin to express any grief or pain, either on his own account or because of the predicted fate of his sons or his people. In stolid desperation he went to meet his destiny. This was the terrible end of one whom the Spirit of God had once taken possession of and turned into another man—of one who had been singularly endowed with Divine gifts to enable him to act as the leader of the people of God.”—O. von Gerlach.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 28:25
Verse 25. They rose up, and went away that night.] The transactions of this chapter occupy one night only. 1. Saul came by night to En-dor, 1 Samuel 28:8. 2. He consulted the woman, and had his conference with Samuel the same night; for no time whatever appears to have been lost after his arrival at En-dor. 3. He was overcome by the heavy tidings which he heard; and which for a time appear to have deprived him of all power. 4. The woman kills a calf; dresses a part; makes and bakes bread; and Saul and his servants eat. And, 5. They rose and went away that night, 1 Samuel 28:25. The next day, in all probability, the battle happened in which Israel was defeated, and Saul and his sons lost their lives. THERE is a considerable diversity of opinion, both among learned and pious men, relative to the subject mentioned in this chapter, that of raising Samuel from the dead.
Some deny the possibility of the thing, and say that it was the devil that personified Samuel; and others, that the whole was the imposition of this cunning woman, and that there was no supernatural agency in the business. This is not a proper place to argue the point. I have given my opinion in the notes. I may sum up in a few particulars. 1. I believe there is a supernatural and spiritual world, in which HUMAN spirits, both good and bad, live in a state of consciousness. 2. I believe there is an invisible world, in which various orders of spirits, not human, live and act. 3. I believe that any of these spirits may, according to the order of God, in the laws of their place of residence, have intercourse with this world, and become visible to mortals. 4. I believe there is a possibility, by arts not strictly good, to evoke and have intercourse with spirits, not HUMAN; and to employ, in a certain limited way, their power and influence. 5. I believe that the woman of En-dor had no power over Samuel; and that no incantation can avail over any departed saint of God, nor indeed over any human disembodied spirit. 6. I believe Samuel did actually appear to Saul; and that he was sent by the especial mercy of God to warn this infatuated king of his approaching death, that he might have an opportunity to make his peace with his Maker. 7.
I believe that the woman found, from the appearances, that her real or pretended charms had no effect; and that what now took place came from a totally different disposition of things from those with which she was conversant. 8.
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 28:25
25. Went away that night — And returned to his camp on the heights of Gilboa.