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Nach YomiI Samuel · שמואל א׳Chapter 28

I Samuel 28

שמואל א׳ ׀ךק כ׮ח

Section: נביאים · נביאים ךאשונים | Book: I Samuel | Chapter: 28 of 31 | Day: 73 of 742

Date: April 25, 2026

קלאוד על הנ׮ך

I Samuel 28 stands as one of the most haunting, theologically fraught, and dramatically powerful chapters in all of Tanakh. The narrative of the medium at En-dor (בעלת אוב בעין דו׹) has captivated and troubled readers for millennia, raising fundamental questions about the nature of death, the boundaries of divine communication, and the depths to which a rejected king can fall. The chapter opens with a double narrative thread — the Philistines mustering for war with David awkwardly embedded among them, and Saul facing the approaching army in a state of spiritual paralysis. When Saul sees the Philistine encampment at Shunem, the text records with devastating simplicity: “his heart trembled with fear” (וַי֎֌ך֞א וַיֶ֌חֱךַד ל֎ב֌וֹ מְאֹד). This is not merely military anxiety; it is the terror of a man who knows he has been abandoned by God.

The theological crisis at the heart of the chapter is Saul’s complete isolation from every legitimate channel of divine guidance. He inquires of God, but God does not answer him — not through dreams, not through the Urim, not through prophets (verse 6). Radak observes that the Urim had ceased functioning for Saul ever since the massacre of the priests at Nob, and Rashi notes that the prophets had withdrawn from him as well. This triple silence — dreams, Urim, prophets — represents an exhaustive catalogue of the ways God communicated with Israel, and its totality marks Saul’s excommunication from the divine realm. It is precisely this complete severance that drives Saul to the desperate and contradictory act of seeking a necromancer, the very practice he himself had outlawed. The irony is searing: the king who banned mediums now disguises himself to visit one under cover of night.

The apparition of Samuel has generated one of the great exegetical debates in Jewish tradition. Rashi, following the Talmudic discussion in Berakhot 12b and the midrashic tradition, maintains that the actual spirit of Samuel was raised and that the dead can indeed be summoned within twelve months of their passing. Radak, by contrast, presents the rationalist position that the woman employed trickery and deception, and that what appeared was not truly Samuel but a demonic apparition or the woman’s own fabrication. Metzudat David takes a middle path, focusing less on the metaphysical mechanism and more on the content of the prophecy, which proves devastatingly accurate. The text itself seems to affirm the reality of the encounter — the woman “sees” Samuel, she recognizes Saul through the apparition, and the words spoken carry the unmistakable authority of genuine prophecy. Whatever one’s theological stance on the mechanics, the narrative weight is clear: Samuel’s voice reaches Saul one final time, not with comfort or guidance, but with an irreversible verdict.

Samuel’s words to Saul constitute the most terrible prophecy in the book. “Why have you disturbed me?” he asks, and then delivers the judgment: God has torn the kingdom from Saul and given it to David because of the Amalekite failure (chapter 15), and tomorrow Saul and his sons will be “with me” — that is, among the dead. The phrase “tomorrow you and your sons will be with me” (מ־ח־׹ אַת֞֌ה ו֌ב֞נֶיך֞ ע֎מ֎֌י) is chilling in its finality. There is no possibility of repentance, no conditional clause, no prophetic call to return. The door has closed. Rashi notes that the righteous Samuel says “with me” — implying that despite everything, Saul’s ultimate portion remains among the righteous, a remarkable thread of mercy woven into the fabric of doom.

The chapter closes with a scene of unexpected tenderness. Saul collapses, drained of all strength, having eaten nothing all day. The unnamed woman of En-dor — herself a lawbreaker, herself at risk — tends to the broken king with genuine compassion. She slaughters her fattened calf, bakes unleavened bread, and feeds Saul and his men before they depart into the night toward their fate at Gilboa. This domestic act of hospitality, performed by a marginalized woman for a doomed king, provides a moment of human warmth against the chapter’s overwhelming darkness. Saul rises, eats, and walks into the night — a dead man walking, moving toward the battle that will end the first kingdom of Israel. The chapter thus serves as the theological and narrative hinge upon which the entire book of Samuel turns: the old order is passing away, and nothing can prevent what is to come.

׀ךק כ׮ח · Chapter 28

׀סוק א׳ · Verse 1

Hebrew:

וַ֜יְה֎י֙ ב֌ַי֌֞מ֎֣ים ה֞הֵ֔ם וַי֌֎קְב֌ְ׊֚ו֌ ׀ְל֎שְׁת֌֎րים אֶת֟מַ֜חֲנֵיהֶם֙ לַ׊֌֞ב֞֔א לְה֎ל֌֞חֵ֖ם ב֌ְי֎שְׂך֞אֵ֑ל וַי֌ֹրאמֶך א֞כ֎ישׁ֙ אֶל֟ד֌֞ו֎֔ד י֞דֹ֣עַ ת֌ֵדַ֗ע כ֌֎րי א֎ת֌֎י֙ ת֌ֵ׊ֵ֣א בַ֜מ֌ַחֲנֶ֔ה אַת֌֖֞ה וַאֲנ֞שֶׁ֜יך֞׃

English:

At that time the Philistines mustered their forces for war, to take the field against Israel. Achish said to David, “You know, of course, that you and your men must march out with my forces.”

׀סוק ב׳ · Verse 2

Hebrew:

וַי֌ֹրאמֶך ד֌֞ו֎ד֙ אֶל֟א֞כ֎֔ישׁ ל֞כֵן֙ אַת֌֣֞ה תֵדַ֔ע אֵ֥ת אֲשֶׁ֜ך֟יַעֲשֶׂ֖ה עַבְד֌ֶ֑ך֞ וַי֌ֹրאמֶך א֞כ֎ישׁ֙ אֶל֟ד֌֞ו֎֔ד ל֞כֵ֗ן שֹׁמֵ֧ך לְךֹאשׁ֎֛י אֲשׂ֎֜ימְך֖֞ כ֌ׇל֟הַי֌֞מ֎֜ים׃ {×€}

English:

David answered Achish, “You surely know what your servant will do.” “In that case,” Achish replied to David, “I will appoint you my bodyguard for life.”

David answered Achish, “You surely know what your servant will do.” “In that case,” Achish replied to David, “I will appoint you my bodyguard for life.”

׀סוק ג׳ · Verse 3

Hebrew:

ו֌שְׁמו֌אֵ֣ל מֵ֔ת וַי֌֎סְ׀֌ְדו֌֟לוֹ֙ כ֌ׇל֟י֎שְׂך֞אֵ֔ל וַי֌֎קְב֌ְךֻ֥הו֌ ב־׹־מ־֖ה ו֌בְע֎יך֑וֹ וְשׁ֞א֗ו֌ל הֵס֎֛יך ה֞אֹב֥וֹת וְאֶת֟הַי֌֎ד֌ְעֹנ֎֖ים מֵה֞א֞֜ךֶץ׃

English:

aThe rest of this chapter would read well after chapters 29 and 30. Now Samuel had died and all Israel made lament for him; and he was buried in his own town of Ramah. And Saul had forbidden [recourse to] ghosts and familiar spirits in the land.

aThe rest of this chapter would read well after chapters 29 and 30. Now Samuel had died and all Israel made lament for him; and he was buried in his own town of Ramah. And Saul had forbidden [recourse to] ghosts and familiar spirits in the land.
ךש׎יRashi
ו֌שְׁמו֌אֵל מֵת. הֲךֵי כְ֌ב֞ך נֶאֱמַך ׎וַי֞֌מ֞ת שְׁמו֌אֵל׎, אֶל֞֌א לְ׀֎י שֶׁב֞֌א לְדַבֵ֌ך בְ֌שׁ֞או֌ל שֶׁהו֌׊ְךַךְ ל֎דְךֹשׁ בְ֌בַעֲלַת אוֹב, ׀֞֌תַח וְא֞מַך ׎ו֌שְׁמו֌אֵל מֵת׎, שֶׁא֎ל֌ו֌ ה־י־ה קַי֞֌ם, מ֎מֶ֌נ֌ו֌ ה־י־ה שׁ֞או֌ל ד֌וֹךֵשׁ, וְשׁ֞או֌ל הֵס֎יך ה֞אוֹבוֹת, וְהֻ׊ְךַךְ לְבַקֵ֌שׁ א֎ש֞֌ׁה בַ֌עֲלַת אוֹב: וַי֎֌סְ׀ְ֌דו֌ לוֹ כ־ל י֎שְׂך֞אֵל וַי֎֌קְבְ֌ךֻהו֌ ב־׹־מ־ה ו֌בְע֎יךוֹ. (תךגום:) ו֌סְ׀֞דו֌ עֲלוֹה֎י כ֞֌ל י֎שְׂך֞אֵל ו֌קְב֞ךו֌ה֎י בְ֌ך֞מ֞ת֞א ו֌סְ׀֞דו֌ עֲלוֹה֎י אֱנ֞שׁ בְ֌קַךְתֵ֌יה֌׎; ׳ו֌בְע֎יךוֹ׳ מו֌ס֞ב עַל ׳וַי֎֌סְ׀ְ֌דו֌ לוֹ׳, סְ׀֞דו֌הו֌ ב־׹־מ־ה כְ֌שֶׁקְ֌ב֞ךו֌הו֌, ו֌סְ׀֞דו֌הו֌ א֎ישׁ בְ֌ע֎יךוֹ׎:
Shmuel had died. It was already stated, "and Shmuel died,"1Above 25:1. but since [Scripture] came to speak about Shaul, that he had to ask of a medium of אוֹב,2See Maseches Sanhedrin 65b for description of אוֹב., it begins by stating, "and Shmuel had died," for had he been alive, Shaul would have inquired of him. But since Shaul had abolished the אוֹב mediums,3Pursuant to the prohibition stated in Vayikra 19:31. Shaul removed the mediums after Shmuel died. Before that, it was not necessary for him to do so because while Shmuel was alive, prophecy was widespread in Yisroel, so no one sought out the medium of אוֹב or יׅדְּעֹנ֎י. he had to seek out find an אוֹב medium. And all of Yisroel mourned him and buried him in Romoh, in his city. And all Yisroel mourned him and buried him in Romoh, and each person mourned him in his own city; and 'in his city' is connected with 'and they mourned him,' i.e., they mourned and buried him in Romoh, and each person mourned him in his own city.4In the same manner as he was mourned in his home town of Romoh.

׀סוק ד׳ · Verse 4

Hebrew:

וַי֌֎ק֌֞בְ׊֣ו֌ ׀ְל֎שְׁת֌֎֔ים וַי֌֞בֹ֖או֌ וַי֌ַחֲנ֣ו֌ בְשׁו֌נֵ֑ם וַי֌֎קְב֌ֹրץ שׁ֞או֌ל֙ אֶת֟כ֌ׇל֟י֎שְׂך֞אֵ֔ל וַ֜י֌ַחֲנ֖ו֌ ב֌ַג֌֎לְב֌ֹ֜עַ׃

English:

The Philistines mustered and they marched to Shunem and encamped; and Saul gathered all Israel, and they encamped at Gilboa.

׀סוק ה׳ · Verse 5

Hebrew:

וַי֌ַ֥ךְא שׁ֞א֖ו֌ל אֶת֟מַחֲנֵ֣ה ׀ְל֎שְׁת֌֎֑ים וַי֌֎ך֞֕א וַי֌ֶחֱךַ֥ד ל֎ב֌֖וֹ מְאֹ֜ד׃

English:

When Saul saw the Philistine force, his heart trembled with fear.

When Saul saw the Philistine force, his heart trembled with fear.

׀סוק ו׳ · Verse 6

Hebrew:

וַי֌֎שְׁאַրל שׁ֞או֌ל֙ ב֌ַיהֹו֞֔ה וְלֹ֥א ע֞נ֖֞הו֌ יְהֹו֑֞ה ג֌ַ֧ם ב֌ַחֲלֹמ֛וֹת ג֌ַ֥ם ב֌֞או֌ך֎֖ים ג֌ַ֥ם ב֌ַנ֌ְב֎יא֎֜ם׃

English:

And Saul inquired of GOD, but GOD did not answer him, either by dreams or by UrimbUrim A kind of oracle; see note at Exod. 28.30 and 1 Sam. 14.41. or by prophets.

And Saul inquired of GOD, but GOD did not answer him, either by dreams or by UrimbUrim A kind of oracle; see note at Exod. 28.30 and 1 Sam. 14.41. or by prophets.
ךש׎יRashi
גַ֌ם ב֞֌או֌ך֎ים. לְ׀֎י שֶׁה֞ךַג נוֹב ע֎יך הַכֹ֌הֲנ֎ים, לֹא × Ö·×¢Ö²× Öž×”:
Nor through the Urim. Because he had slain [the kohanim of] Nov,5See above Chapter 22. the City of Kohanim, he was not answered.

׀סוק ז׳ · Verse 7

Hebrew:

וַי֌ֹ֚אמֶך שׁ֞א֜ו֌ל לַעֲב֞ד֞֗יו ב֌ַק֌ְשׁו֌֟ל֎י֙ אֵ֣שֶׁת ב֌ַעֲלַת֟א֔וֹב וְאֵלְכ֥֞ה אֵלֶ֖יה֞ וְאֶדְךְשׁ֞ה֟ב֌֑֞ה֌ וַי֌ֹאמְךրו֌ עֲב֞ד֞יו֙ אֵל֞֔יו ה֎נ֌ֵ֛ה אֵ֥שֶׁת ב֌ַעֲלַת֟א֖וֹב ב֌ְעֵ֥ין ד֌֜וֹך׃

English:

Then Saul said to his courtiers, “Find me a woman who consults ghosts, so that I can go to her and inquire through her.” And his courtiers told him that there was a woman in En-dor who consulted ghosts.

Then Saul said to his courtiers, “Find me a woman who consults ghosts, so that I can go to her and inquire through her.” And his courtiers told him that there was a woman in En-dor who consulted ghosts.

׀סוק ח׳ · Verse 8

Hebrew:

וַי֌֎תְחַ׀֌ֵ֣שׂ שׁ֞א֗ו֌ל וַי֌֎לְב֌ַשׁ֙ ב֌ְג֞ד֎֣ים אֲחֵך֎֔ים וַי֌ֵ֣לֶךְ ה֗ו֌א ו֌שְׁנֵրי אֲנ֞שׁ֎ים֙ ע֎מ֌֔וֹ וַי֌֞בֹ֥או֌ אֶל֟ה֞א֎שׁ֌֖֞ה ל־֑יְל־ה וַי֌ֹ֗אמֶך (קסומי) [קׇסֳמ֎י֟]נ֥֞א ל֮י֙ ב֌֞א֔וֹב וְהַ֣עֲל֎י ל֮֔י אֵ֥ת אֲשֶׁך֟אֹמַ֖ך אֵל֞֜י֎ךְ׃

English:

Saul disguised himself; he put on different clothes and set out with two men. They came to the woman by night, and he said, “Please divine for me by a ghost. Bring up for me the one I shall name to you.”

Saul disguised himself; he put on different clothes and set out with two men. They came to the woman by night, and he said, “Please divine for me by a ghost. Bring up for me the one I shall name to you.”
ךש׎יRashi
וַי֎֌תְחַ׀ֵ֌שׂ שׁ֞או֌ל. ׎ש֎ׁנ֞֌ה בְ֌ג֞ד֞יו, וְכֵן ׎ה֎תְחַ׀ֵ֌שׂ ו֞בֹא בַמ֎֌לְח֞מ֞ה׎ (מלכים א כב:ל); וְכֵן ׎בְ֌ך֞ב כֹ֌חַ י֎תְחַ׀ֵ֌שׂ לְבו֌ש֎ׁי׎ (איוב ל:יח), וְכֵן ת֎֌ךְגֵ֌ם יוֹנ֞ת֞ן: ׎וְא֎שְׁתַ֌נ֎֌י שׁ֞או֌ל: וַי֞֌בֹאו֌ אֶל ה֞א֎ש֞֌ׁה ל־יְל־ה. יוֹם ה־י־ה, אֶל֞֌א מ֎ת֌וֹךְ ׊֞ך֞ת֞ם ה־י־ה ד֌וֹמֶה ל֞הֶם לַיְל֞ה, כ֞֌ךְ ד֞֌ךַשׁ ךַב֎֌י תַ֌נְחו֌מ֞א (׀ךשת אמו׹ ב):
Shaul disguised himself. He changed his clothes, and similarly, 'disguise yourself [ה֎תְחַפֵּשׂ] and come into battle,'6II Melochim 22:30. and similarly, 'its intensity makes me change [יׅתְחַפֵּשׂ] my clothing.'7Iyov 30:18. And so did Targum Yonoson render, 'and Shaul changed.' They came to the woman at night. [They actually came] during the daytime, but because of their distress, it seemed to them as night. So did R. Tanchuma expound.

׀סוק ט׳ · Verse 9

Hebrew:

וַת֌ֹ֚אמֶך ה֞א֎שׁ֌֞֜ה אֵל֞֗יו ה֎נ֌ֵ֚ה אַת֌֞րה י֞דַ֙עְת֌֞֙ אֵ֣ת אֲשֶׁך֟ע֞שׂ֣֞ה שׁ֞א֔ו֌ל אֲשֶׁ֥ך ה֎כְך֎֛ית אֶת֟ה֞אֹב֥וֹת וְאֶת֟הַי֌֎ד֌ְעֹנ֎֖י מ֎ן֟ה֞א֑֞ךֶץ וְל֞מ֥֞ה אַת֌֛֞ה מ֎תְנַק֌ֵ֥שׁ ב֌ְנַ׀ְשׁ֎֖י לַהֲמ֎יתֵ֜נ֎י׃

English:

But the woman answered him, “You know what Saul has done, how he has banned [the use of] ghosts and familiar spirits in the land. So why are you laying a trap for me, to get me killed?”

But the woman answered him, “You know what Saul has done, how he has banned [the use of] ghosts and familiar spirits in the land. So why are you laying a trap for me, to get me killed?”
ךש׎יRashi
מ֎תְנַקֵ֌שׁ. מְבַקֵ֌שׁ תַ֌ק֞֌ל֞ה:
To entrap. Seek a stumbling block [i.e., trap].

׀סוק י׮ · Verse 10

Hebrew:

וַי֌֎שׁ֌֞րבַ֜ע ל֞ה֌֙ שׁ֞א֔ו֌ל ב֌ַיהֹו֖֞ה לֵאמֹ֑ך חַי֟יְהֹו֞֕ה א֎֜ם֟י֎ק֌ְךֵ֥ךְ ע֞וֺ֖ן ב֌ַד֌֞ב֥֞ך הַז֌ֶ֜ה׃

English:

Saul swore to her by GOD: “As GOD lives, you won’t get into trouble over this.”

Saul swore to her by GOD: “As GOD lives, you won’t get into trouble over this.”

׀סוק י׮א · Verse 11

Hebrew:

וַת֌ֹ֙אמֶך֙ ה֞א֎שׁ֌֞֔ה אֶת֟מ֎֖י אַעֲלֶה֟ל֌֑֞ךְ וַי֌ֹ֕אמֶך אֶת֟שְׁמו֌אֵ֖ל הַ֜עֲל֎י֟ל֎֜י׃

English:

At that, the woman asked, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” He answered, “Bring up Samuel for me.”

׀סוק י׮ב · Verse 12

Hebrew:

וַת֌ֵրךֶא ה֞א֎שׁ֌֞ה֙ אֶת֟שְׁמו֌אֵ֔ל וַת֌֎זְעַ֖ק ב֌ְק֣וֹל ג֌֞ד֑וֹל וַת֌ֹ֩אמֶך֩ ה֞א֎שׁ֌֚֞ה אֶל֟שׁ֞א֧ו֌ל ׀ לֵאמֹ֛ך ל֥֞מ֌֞ה ך֎מ֌֎ית֖֞נ֎י וְאַת֌֥֞ה שׁ֞א֜ו֌ל׃

English:

Then the woman recognized Samuel,cSamuel Some Septuagint mss. read “Saul.” and she shrieked loudly, and said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!”

Then the woman recognized Samuel,cSamuel Some Septuagint mss. read “Saul.” and she shrieked loudly, and said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!”
ךש׎יRashi
וַת֎֌זְעַק בְ֌קוֹל ג֞֌דוֹל. שֶׁך֞אֲת֞הו֌ עוֹלֶה שֶׁלֹ֌א כְ֌דֶךֶךְ ה֞עוֹל֎ים, שֶׁהַמַ֌עֲלֶה ב֎֌זְכו֌ךוֹ, עוֹל֎ים ךַגְלֵיהֶם לְמַעְל֞ה, וְזֶה עוֹלֶה ךֹאשׁוֹ לְמַעְל֞ה, ב֎֌שְׁב֎יל כְ֌בוֹדוֹ שֶׁל שׁ֞או֌ל (תנחומא שם):
She screamed loudly. For she saw him ascending not in the usual manner8Radak suggests that the moment the woman saw the manner in which Shmuel came up, she realized that the man who had come to her was Shaul, and that is why she screamed. of those who ascend [through the אוֹב medium], for when one conjures up [the dead], they ascend with their feet upward, while this one was ascending with his head upward, in honor of Shaul.9Vayikra Rabboh 26:7.

׀סוק י׮ג · Verse 13

Hebrew:

וַי֌ֹ֚אמֶך ל֥֞ה֌ הַמ֌ֶ֛לֶךְ אַל֟ת֌֎֜יךְא֎֖י כ֌֎֣י מ֣֞ה ך֞א֎֑ית וַת֌ֹրאמֶך ה֞א֎שׁ֌֞ה֙ אֶל֟שׁ֞א֔ו֌ל אֱלֹה֎֥ים ך֞א֎֖ית֎י עֹל֎֥ים מ֎ן֟ה֞א֞֜ךֶץ׃

English:

The king answered her, “Don’t be afraid. What do you see?” And the woman said to Saul, “I see a divine being coming up from the earth.”

The king answered her, “Don’t be afraid. What do you see?” And the woman said to Saul, “I see a divine being coming up from the earth.”
ךש׎יRashi
אֱלֹה֎ים ך֞א֎ית֎י עֹל֎ים מ֮ן ה֞א֞ךֶץ. מַלְא֞כ֎ים שְׁנַי֎ם, מֹשֶׁה ו֌שְׁמו֌אֵל, שֶׁנ֎֌תְי֞ךֵא שְׁמו֌אֵל שֶׁמ֞֌א אֲנ֎י מ֎תְבַ֌קֵ֌שׁ בַ֌ד֎֌ין, וְהֶעֱל֞ה מֹשֶׁה ע֎מ֌וֹ (כדאיתא בחגיגה ד ב):
I saw a godly man rising from the earth. Two angels, Moshe and Shmuel,10This is alluded to in the words א֎ישׁ זֲק֎ן עֹלֶה וְהוּא עֹטֶה מְע֎יל, ‘an old man ascends [i.e., Moshe] and he is wearing a robe [i.e., Shmuel].’ for Shmuel feared, 'Perhaps I am being summoned for judgement,' and he therefore brought Moshe up with him,11Each person must face judgment within twelve months of his death. Shmuel wanted that Moshe testify on his behalf. as it is stated in [Maseches] Chagiga and Ta'anis.12

׀סוק י׮ד · Verse 14

Hebrew:

וַי֌ֹրאמֶך ל֞ה֌֙ מַ֜ה֟ת֌ׇאֳך֔וֹ וַת֌ֹ֗אמֶך א֎րישׁ ז֞קֵן֙ עֹלֶ֔ה וְה֥ו֌א עֹטֶ֖ה מְע֎֑יל וַי֌ֵրדַע שׁ֞או֌ל֙ כ֌֎֜י֟שְׁמו֌אֵ֣ל ה֔ו֌א וַי֌֎ק֌ֹ֥ד אַ׀֌ַ֛י֎ם אַ֖ךְ׊֞ה וַי֌֎שְׁת֌֞֜חו֌׃ {ס}        

English:

“What does he look like?” he asked her. “It is an old man coming up,” she said, “and he is wrapped in a robe.” Then Saul knew that it was Samuel; and he bowed low in homage with his face to the ground.

“What does he look like?” he asked her. “It is an old man coming up,” she said, “and he is wrapped in a robe.” Then Saul knew that it was Samuel; and he bowed low in homage with his face to the ground.
ךש׎יRashi
מַה ת֞֌אֳךוֹ. שְׁלֹשׁ֞ה דְב־׹֮ים נֶאֶמְךו֌ ב֞֌אוֹב: הַמַ֌עֲלֶה אוֹתוֹ, ךוֹאֵהו֌ וְאֵינוֹ שׁוֹמֵעַ קוֹלוֹ, וְהַנ֎֌שְׁא֞ל לוֹ, שׁוֹמְעוֹ וְאֵינוֹ ךוֹאֵהו֌, ו֌לְ׀֎יכ֞ךְ שׁ֞אַל מַה ת֞֌אֳךוֹ, וְאַחֵך, לֹא ךוֹאֵהו֌ וְלֹא שׁוֹמְעוֹ (תנחומא שם): וְהו֌א עֹטֶה מְע֎יל. שֶׁה֞י֞ה ׹־ג֮יל ל֎לְבֹ֌שׁ מְע֎יל, שֶׁנֶ֌אֱמַך ׎ו֌מְע֎יל ק֞טֹן תַ֌עֲשֶׂה ל֌וֹ א֎מ֌וֹ׎ (שמואל א ב:יט), ו֌ב֎מְע֎ילוֹ נ֎קְבַ֌ך, וְכֵן ע֞ל֞ה, וְכֵן לֶע֞ת֎יד ל֞בֹא יַעַמְדו֌ ב֎֌לְבו֌שֵׁיהֶם (תנחומא שם):
What does he look like. Three things were said regarding אוֹב: The one who conjures him [the dead] up, sees him, but does not hear his voice; the one who inquires of him, hears him, but does not see him, and therefore, he [Shaul] asked, 'What does he look like?', and the others neither see or hear him. He is garbed in a robe. For he was accustomed to wear a robe, as it is stated, "and his mother would make him a small robe."13Above 2:19. He was buried with his robe, and so he arose. And so in the future [Resurrection of the Dead], they will rise with their garments.

׀סוק ט׮ו · Verse 15

Hebrew:

וַי֌ֹրאמֶך שְׁמו֌אֵל֙ אֶל֟שׁ֞א֔ו֌ל ל֥֞מ֌֞ה ה֎ךְג֌ַזְת֌ַ֖נ֎י לְהַעֲל֣וֹת אֹת֎֑י וַי֌ֹ֣אמֶך שׁ֞֠א֠ו֌ל ׊ַך֟ל֎֚י מְאֹ֜ד ו֌׀ְל֎שְׁת֌֎֣ים ׀ נ֎לְח֞מ֎֣ים ב֌֎֗י וֵאלֹה֎֞ים ס֞րך מֵ֜ע֞לַי֙ וְלֹא֟ע֞נ֣֞נ֎י ע֗וֹד ג֌ַրם ב֌ְיַ֜ד֟הַנ֌ְב֎יא֎ים֙ ג֌ַם֟ב֌ַ֣חֲלֹמ֔וֹת ו֞אֶקְך֞אֶ֣ה לְך־֔ לְהוֹד֎יעֵ֖נ֎י מ֥֞ה אֶעֱשֶׂ֜ה׃ {ס}        

English:

Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me and brought me up?” And Saul answered, “I am greatly troubled. The Philistines are attacking me and God has turned away from me—and no longer answers me, either by prophets or in dreams. So I have called you to tell me what I am to do.”

Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me and brought me up?” And Saul answered, “I am greatly troubled.
ךש׎יRashi
ה֎ךְגַ֌זְת֞֌נ֎י. הֶחֱךַדְת֞֌נ֎י: גַ֌ם בְ֌יַד הַנְ֌ב֎יא֎ים גַ֌ם בַ֌חֲלֹמוֹת. אֲב֞ל ב֞֌או֌ך֎ים וְתֻמ֎֌ים לֹא א֞מַך לוֹ, וְאַף עַל ׀֎֌י שֶׁש֞֌ׁאַל ב֞֌הֶם כְ֌מוֹ שֶׁא֞מו֌ך לְמַעְל֞ה, שֶׁה֞י֞ה ב֌וֹשׁ מ֎מֶ֌נ֌ו֌ עַל שֶׁה֞ךַג נוֹב ע֎יך הַכֹ֌הֲנ֎ים: ו֞אֶקְך֞אֶה לְך־. לְשׁוֹן ו֞אֶזְעַק אַחֲךֶיך֞, כְ֌מוֹ ׎נ֎קְךֹא נ֎קְךֵית֎י בְ֌הַך הַג֎֌לְבֹ֌עַ׎ (שמואל ב א:ו); ו֌כְמוֹ ׎וְשׁ֞ם נ֎קְך֞א א֎ישׁ בְ֌ל֎יַ֌עַל׎ (שמואל ב כ:א), הֻ׊ְךַכְת֎֌י ל֎הְיוֹת נ֎קְך֞א אֵלֶיך֞, שֶׁת֌וֹד֎יעֵנ֎י מ־ה אֶעֱשֶׂה:
Have you disturbed me. You have frightened me.14The Midrash explains that Shmuel feared that his day of judgment had come. See above verse—Radak Neither through the prophets nor through dreams. But he did not mention to him the Urim and Tumim, even though he had inquired of them, as it is stated above,15Verse 6. because he was ashamed of it, since he had slain [the kohanim of] Nov, the City of the Kohanim.16Maseches Berachos 12b and Rashi there. Therefore I called upon you. An expression meaning, 'and I have been summoned after you,' as in, "I was summoned [נ֎קְךאׁ נ֎קְךֵית֎י] on Mount Gilbo'a,"17II Shmuel 1:6. and as in "and there chanced [נ֎קְך֞א] an unscrupulous man."18Ibid. 20:1. It was necessary for me to be summoned after you, that you let me know what I should do.
׹ד׮קRadak
הךגזתני. ממנוחתי: להעלות אותי. ממנוחתי ובדךש לשון ׀חד וךעדה הוא ׀חדתי מיום הדין הייתי סבוך שיום הדין הוא וקו׹ין אותי לדין: גם ביד הנביאים גם בחלומות. ולא אמך באו׹ים כמו שאמך למעלה הכתוב כי באו׹ים שאל אמ׹ו בדךש כי בוש לומ׹ ל׀ני שמואל באו׹ים ל׀י שהךג נוב עיך הכהנים: ואק׹אה לך. בה"א נוס׀ת כמנהג כמו אשמעה אשמךה אבל להיות למ"ד ה׀על בסגול אינו כמנהג ובא כמוהו ידשנה סלה:
Disturbed me from my rest. to bring me up from my rest. And in the homiletical teaching, [disturbed] is an expression of fear and trembling: I was afraid from the Day of Judgment, I thought it was the Day of Judgment and they were calling me for judgment. either by prophets or in dreams: But he did not say, by the Urim and Thumim, like the verse states above (I Samuel 28:6), that he also asked from the Urim. In the homiletical teaching, it is because he was embarrassed to say, "by the Urim," in front of Shmuel, since he killed [the men of] Nov, the city of priests. So I have called you (ekeraeh): There is an additional hey, as is customary, like in, eshmah and eshmerah. But since the last letter of the root is [vocalized] with a segol, it is not customary. But "yidsheneh selah" (Psalms 20:4) is like it.

׀סוק ט׮ז · Verse 16

Hebrew:

וַי֌ֹ֣אמֶך שְׁמו֌אֵ֔ל וְל֖֞מ֌֞ה ת֌֎שְׁא֞לֵ֑נ֎י וַיהֹו֛֞ה ס֥֞ך מֵע֞לֶ֖יך֞ וַיְה֎֥י ע֞ךֶ֜ך֞׃

English:

Samuel said, “Why do you ask me, seeing that GOD has turned away from you and has become your adversary?dyour adversary Meaning of Heb. uncertain.

Samuel said, “Why do you ask me, seeing that GOD has turned away from you and has become your adversary?dyour adversary Meaning of Heb. uncertain.
ךש׎יRashi
וְל֞מ֞֌ה ת֎֌שְׁא֞לֵנ֎י. הֲךֵי שׁ֞אַלְת֞֌ מ֮ן הַנְ֌ב֎יא֎ים הַחַי֎֌ים: וַיְה֎י ע֞ךֶך֞. (תךגום:) ׎וַהֲו֞ה בְ֌סַעֲדֵיה֌ דְ֌גַבְך֞א דְאַתְ֌ בְ֌עֵיל ד֌ב֞בֵיה֌׎: ע֞ךֶך֞. לְשׁוֹן שׂוֹנֵא וְכַמ֞֌ה יֵשׁ בַ֌מ֎֌קְך֞א, ׎ו֌מ֞לְאו֌ ×€Ö°× Öµ×™ תֵבֵל ע֞ך֎ים׎ (ישעיהו יד:כא); ׎וְה֎שְׁמַדְת֎֌י ע֞ךֶיך֞׎ (מיכה ה:יג); ׎חֶלְמ֞א לְשׂ֞נְא֞ךְ ו֌׀֎שְׁךֵה֌ לְע֞ך֞ךְ׎ (דניאל ד:טז):
But why do you ask me. Since you have inquired of the living prophets. And become your adversary. He has become the supporter of the one whose adversary you are.19I.e., Dovid. Adversary. An expression meaning an enemy. In Scripture there are many [examples of the word עׇךֶך֞], "and the world will become full with enemies [עׇך֎ים]";20Yeshay 14:21. "and I will destroy your enemies [עׇךֶיך֞]";21Micha 5:13. "may this dream be upon your enemies and its interpretation upon your adversaries [לְע֞ך֞ךְ]";22Daniel 4:16.

׀סוק י׮ז · Verse 17

Hebrew:

וַי֌ַրעַשׂ יְהֹו֞ה֙ ל֔וֹ כ֌ַאֲשֶׁ֖ך ד֌֎ב֌ֶ֣ך ב֌ְי֞ד֎֑י וַי֌֎קְךַ֚ע יְהֹו֞րה אֶת֟הַמ֌ַמְל֞כ֞ה֙ מ֎י֌֞דֶ֔ך֞ וַ֜י֌֎ת֌ְנ֖֞ה֌ לְךֵעֲך֥֞ לְד֞ו֎֜ד׃

English:

GOD has doneehas done Lit. “has done for Himself”; some mss. and Septuagint read “has done to you.” what was foretold through me: GOD has torn the kingship out of your hands and has given it to your fellow, to David,

GOD has doneehas done Lit. “has done for Himself”; some mss. and Septuagint read “has done to you.” what was foretold through me: GOD has torn the kingship out of your hands and has given it to your fellow, to David,
ךש׎יRashi
לְךֵעֲך֞ לְד־ו֮ד. ו֌בְחַי֞֌יו לֹא ה֎זְכ֎֌יך לוֹ שְׁמוֹ, אֶל֞֌א ׎ו֌נְת֞נ֞ה֌ לְךֵעֲך֞ הַט֌וֹב מ֎מְ֌ך֞׎ (שמואל א טו:כח), לְ׀֎י שֶׁה֞י֞ה י֞ךֵא מ֎מֶ֌נ֌ו֌ שֶׁלֹ֌א יַהַךְגֵנ֌ו֌, לְ׀֎י שֶׁמְ֌שׁ֞חוֹ לַמַ֌לְכו֌ת (תנחומא שם):
To your fellow, to Dovid. But during his lifetime, he [Shmuel] did not mention his name [Dovid] to him, only 'and He gave it to your fellow who is better than you'23Above 15:28. because he feared that he [Shaul], might kill him,24Now however, that Shmuel was in the עוֹל֞ם ה֞אֶמֶת [=World of Truth] there was nothing to fear speaking the complete truth. because he had anointed him [Dovid] as king.

׀סוק י׮ח · Verse 18

Hebrew:

כ֌ַאֲשֶׁրך לֹא֟שׁ֞מַ֙עְת֌֞֙ ב֌ְק֣וֹל יְהֹו֞֔ה וְלֹ֜א֟ע֞שׂ֎֥ית֞ חֲךוֹן֟אַ׀֌֖וֹ ב֌ַעֲמ֞לֵ֑ק עַל֟כ֌ֵן֙ הַד֌֞ב֣֞ך הַז֌ֶ֔ה ע֞שׂ֞֜ה֟לְך֥֞ יְהֹו֖֞ה הַי֌֥וֹם הַז֌ֶ֜ה׃

English:

because you did not obey GOD and did not execute [God’s] wrath upon the Amalekites. That is why GOD has done this to you today.

because you did not obey GOD and did not execute [God’s] wrath upon the Amalekites. That is why GOD has done this to you today.

׀סוק י׮ט · Verse 19

Hebrew:

וְי֎ת֌ֵ֣ן יְ֠הֹו֞֠ה ג֌ַ֣ם אֶת֟י֎שְׂך֞אֵրל ע֎מ֌ְך֞֙ ב֌ְיַד֟׀֌ְל֎שְׁת֌֎֔ים ו֌מ֞ח֞֕ך אַת֌֥֞ה ו֌ב֞נֶ֖יך֞ ע֎מ֌֎֑י ג֌ַ֚ם אֶת֟מַחֲנֵ֣ה י֎שְׂך֞אֵ֔ל י֎ת֌ֵ֥ן יְהֹו֖֞ה ב֌ְיַד֟׀֌ְל֎שְׁת֌֎֜ים׃

English:

Further, GOD will deliver the Israelites who are with you into the hands of the Philistines. Tomorrow you and your sons will be with me; and GOD will also deliver the Israelite forces into the hands of the Philistines.”

Further, GOD will deliver the Israelites who are with you into the hands of the Philistines. Tomorrow you and your sons will be with me; and GOD will also deliver the Israelite forces into the hands of the Philistines.”
ךש׎יRashi
אַת֞֌ה ו֌ב֞נֶיך֞ ע֎מ֎֌י. ב֎֌מְח֎׊֞֌ת֎י:
You and your sons will be with me. In my abode.25See Maseches Berachos 12b. By saying this to Shaul, Shmuel indicated to Shaul that he had been forgiven by the Heavenly Court for having slain the kohanim of Nov, and has been given place among the righteous.

׀סוק כ׳ · Verse 20

Hebrew:

וַיְמַהֵ֣ך שׁ֞א֗ו֌ל וַי֌֎׀֌ֹրל מְלֹא֟ק֜וֹמ֞תוֹ֙ אַ֔ךְ׊֞ה וַי֌֎ך֥֞א מְאֹ֖ד מ֎ד֌֎בְךֵ֣י שְׁמו֌אֵ֑ל ג֌ַם֟כ֌ֹ֙חַ֙ לֹא֟ה֣֞י֞ה ב֔וֹ כ֌֎֣י לֹրא א֞כￜￜל֙ לֶ֔חֶם כ֌ׇל֟הַי֌֖וֹם וְכׇל֟הַל֌֞֜יְל֞ה׃

English:

At once Saul flung himself prone on the ground, terrified by Samuel’s words. Besides, there was no strength in him, for he had not eaten anything all day and all night.

At once Saul flung himself prone on the ground, terrified by Samuel’s words. Besides, there was no strength in him, for he had not eaten anything all day and all night.

׀סוק כ׮א · Verse 21

Hebrew:

וַת֌֞בրוֹא ה֞֜א֎שׁ֌֞ה֙ אֶל֟שׁ֞א֔ו֌ל וַת֌ֵ֖ךֶא כ֌֎֜י֟נ֎בְהַ֣ל מְאֹ֑ד וַת֌ֹ֣אמֶך אֵל֞֗יו ה֎נ֌ֵ֚ה שׁ֞֜מְע֞րה שׁ֎׀ְח֞֜תְך֞֙ ב֌ְקוֹלֶ֔ך֞ ו֞א֞שׂ֎րים נַ׀ְשׁ֎י֙ ב֌ְכַ׀֌֎֔י ו֞֜אֶשְׁמַע֙ אֶת֟ד֌ְב֞ךֶ֔יך֞ אֲשֶׁ֥ך ד֌֎ב֌ַ֖ךְת֌֞ אֵל֞֜י׃

English:

The woman went up to Saul and, seeing how greatly disturbed he was, she said to him, “Your handmaid listened to you; I took my life in my hands and heeded the request you made of me.

The woman went up to Saul and, seeing how greatly disturbed he was, she said to him, “Your handmaid listened to you; I took my life in my hands and heeded the request you made of me.

׀סוק כ׮ב · Verse 22

Hebrew:

וְעַת֌֞֗ה שְׁמַ֜ע֟נ֞րא גַם֟אַת֌֞ה֙ ב֌ְק֣וֹל שׁ֎׀ְח֞תֶ֔ך֞ וְא֞שׂ֎֧מ֞ה לְ׀֞נֶ֛יך֞ ׀֌ַת֟לֶ֖חֶם וֶאֱכ֑וֹל ו֎יה֎րי בְך־֙ כ֌ֹ֔חַ כ֌֎֥י תֵלֵ֖ךְ ב֌ַד֌֞֜ךֶךְ׃

English:

So now you listen to me: Let me set before you a bit of food. Eat, and then you will have the strength to go on your way.”

So now you listen to me: Let me set before you a bit of food. Eat, and then you will have the strength to go on your way.”

׀סוק כ׮ג · Verse 23

Hebrew:

וַיְמ֞אֵ֗ן וַי֌ֹ֙אמֶך֙ לֹ֣א אֹכַ֔ל וַי֌֎׀ְךְ׊ו֌֟בրוֹ עֲב֞ד֞יו֙ וְגַם֟ה֣֞א֎שׁ֌֞֔ה וַי֌֎שְׁמַ֖ע לְקֹל֑֞ם וַי֌֞֙קׇם֙ מֵ֜ה֞א֞֔ךֶץ וַי֌ֵ֖שֶׁב אֶל֟הַמ֌֎ט֌֞֜ה׃

English:

He refused, saying, “I will not eat.” But when his courtiers as well as the woman urged him, he listened to them; he got up from the ground and sat on the bed.

He refused, saying, “I will not eat.” But when his courtiers as well as the woman urged him, he listened to them; he got up from the ground and sat on the bed.

׀סוק כ׮ד · Verse 24

Hebrew:

וְל֞א֎שׁ֌֞րה עֵ֜גֶל֟מַךְב֌ֵק֙ ב֌ַב֌ַ֔י֎ת וַת֌ְמַהֵ֖ך וַת֌֎זְב֌֞חֵ֑הו֌ וַת֌֎ק֌ַח֟קֶ֣מַח וַת֌֞֔ל֞שׁ וַת֌ֹ׀ֵ֖הו֌ מַ׊֌֜וֹת׃

English:

The woman had a stall-fed calf in the house; she hastily slaughtered it, and took flour and kneaded it, and baked some unleavened cakes.

The woman had a stall-fed calf in the house; she hastily slaughtered it, and took flour and kneaded it, and baked some unleavened cakes.
ךש׎יRashi
עֵגֶל מַךְבֵ֌ק. (תךגום:) ׎עֵגֶל ׀֞֌ט֎ים׎:
A fattened calf. A fattened calf.

׀סוק כ׮ה · Verse 25

Hebrew:

וַת֌ַג֌ֵ֧שׁ ל֎׀ְנֵיￜￜשׁ֞א֛ו֌ל וְל֎׀ְנֵ֥י עֲב֞ד֖֞יו וַי֌ֹאכֵ֑לו֌ וַי֌֞קֻ֥מו֌ וַי֌ֵלְכ֖ו֌ ב֌ַל֌ַ֥יְל֞ה הַה֜ו֌א׃ {×€}

English:

She set this before Saul and his courtiers, and they ate. Then they rose and left the same night.

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