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Nach YomiI Samuel · שמואל א׳Chapter 28

I Samuel 28

שמואל א׳ פרק כ״ח

Section: נביאים · נביאים ראשונים | 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 דור) 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” (וַיִּרָא וַיֶּחֱרַד לִבּוֹ 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had ceased functioning for Saul ever since the massacre of the priests at Nob, and Rashi notes that the prophets had withdrawn from him as well.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” (מָחָר אַתָּה וּבָנֶיךָ עִמִּי) 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.

פרק כ״ח · Chapter 28

פסוק א׳ · Verse 1

Hebrew:

וַֽיְהִי֙ בַּיָּמִ֣ים הָהֵ֔ם וַיִּקְבְּצ֨וּ פְלִשְׁתִּ֤ים אֶת־מַֽחֲנֵיהֶם֙ לַצָּבָ֔א לְהִלָּחֵ֖ם בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אָכִישׁ֙ אֶל־דָּוִ֔ד יָדֹ֣עַ תֵּדַ֗ע כִּ֤י אִתִּי֙ תֵּצֵ֣א בַֽמַּחֲנֶ֔ה אַתָּ֖ה וַאֲנָשֶֽׁיךָ׃

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.”

פסוק ב׳ · Verse 2

Hebrew:

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר דָּוִד֙ אֶל־אָכִ֔ישׁ לָכֵן֙ אַתָּ֣ה תֵדַ֔ע אֵ֥ת אֲשֶֽׁר־יַעֲשֶׂ֖ה עַבְדֶּ֑ךָ וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אָכִישׁ֙ אֶל־דָּוִ֔ד לָכֵ֗ן שֹׁמֵ֧ר לְרֹאשִׁ֛י אֲשִֽׂימְךָ֖ כׇּל־הַיָּמִֽים׃ {פ}

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.”

פסוק ג׳ · Verse 3

Hebrew:

וּשְׁמוּאֵ֣ל מֵ֔ת וַיִּסְפְּדוּ־לוֹ֙ כׇּל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַיִּקְבְּרֻ֥הוּ בָרָמָ֖ה וּבְעִיר֑וֹ וְשָׁא֗וּל הֵסִ֛יר הָאֹב֥וֹת וְאֶת־הַיִּדְּעֹנִ֖ים מֵהָאָֽרֶץ׃

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.
▶Commentaries (1)
רש״יRashi
וּשְׁמוּאֵל מֵת. הֲרֵי כְּבָר נֶאֱמַר ״וַיָּמָת שְׁמוּאֵל״, אֶלָּא לְפִי שֶׁבָּא לְדַבֵּר בְּשָׁאוּל שֶׁהוּצְרַךְ לִדְרֹשׁ בְּבַעֲלַת אוֹב, פָּתַח וְאָמַר ״וּשְׁמוּאֵל מֵת״, שֶׁאִלּוּ הָיָה קַיָּם, מִמֶּנּוּ הָיָה שָׁאוּל דּוֹרֵשׁ, וְשָׁאוּל הֵסִיר הָאוֹבוֹת, וְהֻצְרַךְ לְבַקֵּשׁ אִשָּׁה בַּעֲלַת אוֹב: וַיִּסְפְּדוּ לוֹ כָל יִשְׂרָאֵל וַיִּקְבְּרֻהוּ בָרָמָה וּבְעִירוֹ. (תרגום:) וּסְפָדוּ עֲלוֹהִי כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל וּקְבָרוּהִי בְּרָמָתָא וּסְפָדוּ עֲלוֹהִי אֱנָשׁ בְּקַרְתֵּיהּ״; ׳וּבְעִירוֹ׳ מוּסָב עַל ׳וַיִּסְפְּדוּ לוֹ׳, סְפָדוּהוּ בָרָמָה כְּשֶׁקְּבָרוּהוּ, וּסְפָדוּהוּ אִישׁ בְּעִירוֹ״:
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 יׅדְּעֹנִי. 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.

פסוק ד׳ · Verse 4

Hebrew:

וַיִּקָּבְצ֣וּ פְלִשְׁתִּ֔ים וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ וַיַּחֲנ֣וּ בְשׁוּנֵ֑ם וַיִּקְבֹּ֤ץ שָׁאוּל֙ אֶת־כׇּל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בַּגִּלְבֹּֽעַ׃

English:

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

פסוק ה׳ · Verse 5

Hebrew:

וַיַּ֥רְא שָׁא֖וּל אֶת־מַחֲנֵ֣ה פְלִשְׁתִּ֑ים וַיִּרָ֕א וַיֶּחֱרַ֥ד לִבּ֖וֹ מְאֹֽד׃

English:

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

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

פסוק ו׳ · Verse 6

Hebrew:

וַיִּשְׁאַ֤ל שָׁאוּל֙ בַּיהֹוָ֔ה וְלֹ֥א עָנָ֖הוּ יְהֹוָ֑ה גַּ֧ם בַּחֲלֹמ֛וֹת גַּ֥ם בָּאוּרִ֖ים גַּ֥ם בַּנְּבִיאִֽם׃

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.
▶Commentaries (1)
רש״יRashi
גַּם בָּאוּרִים. לְפִי שֶׁהָרַג נוֹב עִיר הַכֹּהֲנִים, לֹא נַעֲנָה:
Nor through the Urim. Because he had slain [the kohanim of] Nov,5See above Chapter 22. the City of Kohanim, he was not answered.

פסוק ז׳ · Verse 7

Hebrew:

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר שָׁא֜וּל לַעֲבָדָ֗יו בַּקְּשׁוּ־לִי֙ אֵ֣שֶׁת בַּעֲלַת־א֔וֹב וְאֵלְכָ֥ה אֵלֶ֖יהָ וְאֶדְרְשָׁה־בָּ֑הּ וַיֹּאמְר֤וּ עֲבָדָיו֙ אֵלָ֔יו הִנֵּ֛ה אֵ֥שֶׁת בַּעֲלַת־א֖וֹב בְּעֵ֥ין דּֽוֹר׃

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.

פסוק ח׳ · Verse 8

Hebrew:

וַיִּתְחַפֵּ֣שׂ שָׁא֗וּל וַיִּלְבַּשׁ֙ בְּגָדִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֔ים וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ ה֗וּא וּשְׁנֵ֤י אֲנָשִׁים֙ עִמּ֔וֹ וַיָּבֹ֥אוּ אֶל־הָאִשָּׁ֖ה לָ֑יְלָה וַיֹּ֗אמֶר (קסומי) [קׇסֳמִי־]נָ֥א לִי֙ בָּא֔וֹב וְהַ֣עֲלִי לִ֔י אֵ֥ת אֲשֶׁר־אֹמַ֖ר אֵלָֽיִךְ׃

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.”
▶Commentaries (1)
רש״יRashi
וַיִּתְחַפֵּשׂ שָׁאוּל. ״שִׁנָּה בְּגָדָיו, וְכֵן ״הִתְחַפֵּשׂ וָבֹא בַמִּלְחָמָה״ (מלכים א כב:ל); וְכֵן ״בְּרָב כֹּחַ יִתְחַפֵּשׂ לְבוּשִׁי״ (איוב ל:יח), וְכֵן תִּרְגֵּם יוֹנָתָן: ״וְאִשְׁתַּנִּי שָׁאוּל: וַיָּבֹאוּ אֶל הָאִשָּׁה לָיְלָה. יוֹם הָיָה, אֶלָּא מִתּוֹךְ צָרָתָם הָיָה דּוֹמֶה לָהֶם לַיְלָה, כָּךְ דָּרַשׁ רַבִּי תַּנְחוּמָא (פרשת אמור ב):
Shaul disguised himself. He changed his clothes, and similarly, 'disguise yourself [הִתְחַפֵּשׂ] 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.

פסוק ט׳ · Verse 9

Hebrew:

וַתֹּ֨אמֶר הָאִשָּׁ֜ה אֵלָ֗יו הִנֵּ֨ה אַתָּ֤ה יָדַ֙עְתָּ֙ אֵ֣ת אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֣ה שָׁא֔וּל אֲשֶׁ֥ר הִכְרִ֛ית אֶת־הָאֹב֥וֹת וְאֶת־הַיִּדְּעֹנִ֖י מִן־הָאָ֑רֶץ וְלָמָ֥ה אַתָּ֛ה מִתְנַקֵּ֥שׁ בְּנַפְשִׁ֖י לַהֲמִיתֵֽנִי׃

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?”
▶Commentaries (1)
רש״יRashi
מִתְנַקֵּשׁ. מְבַקֵּשׁ תַּקָּלָה:
To entrap. Seek a stumbling block [i.e., trap].

פסוק י״ · Verse 10

Hebrew:

וַיִּשָּׁ֤בַֽע לָהּ֙ שָׁא֔וּל בַּיהֹוָ֖ה לֵאמֹ֑ר חַי־יְהֹוָ֕ה אִֽם־יִקְּרֵ֥ךְ עָוֺ֖ן בַּדָּבָ֥ר הַזֶּֽה׃

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.”

פסוק י״א · Verse 11

Hebrew:

וַתֹּ֙אמֶר֙ הָאִשָּׁ֔ה אֶת־מִ֖י אַעֲלֶה־לָּ֑ךְ וַיֹּ֕אמֶר אֶת־שְׁמוּאֵ֖ל הַֽעֲלִי־לִֽי׃

English:

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

פסוק י״ב · Verse 12

Hebrew:

וַתֵּ֤רֶא הָאִשָּׁה֙ אֶת־שְׁמוּאֵ֔ל וַתִּזְעַ֖ק בְּק֣וֹל גָּד֑וֹל וַתֹּ֩אמֶר֩ הָאִשָּׁ֨ה אֶל־שָׁא֧וּל ׀ לֵאמֹ֛ר לָ֥מָּה רִמִּיתָ֖נִי וְאַתָּ֥ה שָׁאֽוּל׃

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!”
▶Commentaries (1)
רש״יRashi
וַתִּזְעַק בְּקוֹל גָּדוֹל. שֶׁרָאֲתָהוּ עוֹלֶה שֶׁלֹּא כְּדֶרֶךְ הָעוֹלִים, שֶׁהַמַּעֲלֶה בִּזְכוּרוֹ, עוֹלִים רַגְלֵיהֶם לְמַעְלָה, וְזֶה עוֹלֶה רֹאשׁוֹ לְמַעְלָה, בִּשְׁבִיל כְּבוֹדוֹ שֶׁל שָׁאוּל (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.

פסוק י״ג · Verse 13

Hebrew:

וַיֹּ֨אמֶר לָ֥הּ הַמֶּ֛לֶךְ אַל־תִּֽירְאִ֖י כִּ֣י מָ֣ה רָאִ֑ית וַתֹּ֤אמֶר הָאִשָּׁה֙ אֶל־שָׁא֔וּל אֱלֹהִ֥ים רָאִ֖יתִי עֹלִ֥ים מִן־הָאָֽרֶץ׃

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.”
▶Commentaries (1)
רש״יRashi
אֱלֹהִים רָאִיתִי עֹלִים מִן הָאָרֶץ. מַלְאָכִים שְׁנַיִם, מֹשֶׁה וּשְׁמוּאֵל, שֶׁנִּתְיָרֵא שְׁמוּאֵל שֶׁמָּא אֲנִי מִתְבַּקֵּשׁ בַּדִּין, וְהֶעֱלָה מֹשֶׁה עִמּוֹ (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 אִישׁ זֲקִן עֹלֶה וְהוּא עֹטֶה מְעִיל, ‘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

פסוק י״ד · Verse 14

Hebrew:

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר לָהּ֙ מַֽה־תׇּאֳר֔וֹ וַתֹּ֗אמֶר אִ֤ישׁ זָקֵן֙ עֹלֶ֔ה וְה֥וּא עֹטֶ֖ה מְעִ֑יל וַיֵּ֤דַע שָׁאוּל֙ כִּֽי־שְׁמוּאֵ֣ל ה֔וּא וַיִּקֹּ֥ד אַפַּ֛יִם אַ֖רְצָה וַיִּשְׁתָּֽחוּ׃ {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.
▶Commentaries (1)
רש״יRashi
מַה תָּאֳרוֹ. שְׁלֹשָׁה דְבָרִים נֶאֶמְרוּ בָּאוֹב: הַמַּעֲלֶה אוֹתוֹ, רוֹאֵהוּ וְאֵינוֹ שׁוֹמֵעַ קוֹלוֹ, וְהַנִּשְׁאָל לוֹ, שׁוֹמְעוֹ וְאֵינוֹ רוֹאֵהוּ, וּלְפִיכָךְ שָׁאַל מַה תָּאֳרוֹ, וְאַחֵר, לֹא רוֹאֵהוּ וְלֹא שׁוֹמְעוֹ (תנחומא שם): וְהוּא עֹטֶה מְעִיל. שֶׁהָיָה רָגִיל לִלְבֹּשׁ מְעִיל, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר ״וּמְעִיל קָטֹן תַּעֲשֶׂה לּוֹ אִמּוֹ״ (שמואל א ב:יט), וּבִמְעִילוֹ נִקְבַּר, וְכֵן עָלָה, וְכֵן לֶעָתִיד לָבֹא יַעַמְדוּ בִּלְבוּשֵׁיהֶם (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.

פסוק ט״ו · Verse 15

Hebrew:

וַיֹּ֤אמֶר שְׁמוּאֵל֙ אֶל־שָׁא֔וּל לָ֥מָּה הִרְגַּזְתַּ֖נִי לְהַעֲל֣וֹת אֹתִ֑י וַיֹּ֣אמֶר שָׁ֠א֠וּל צַר־לִ֨י מְאֹ֜ד וּפְלִשְׁתִּ֣ים ׀ נִלְחָמִ֣ים בִּ֗י וֵאלֹהִ֞ים סָ֤ר מֵֽעָלַי֙ וְלֹא־עָנָ֣נִי ע֗וֹד גַּ֤ם בְּיַֽד־הַנְּבִיאִים֙ גַּם־בַּ֣חֲלֹמ֔וֹת וָאֶקְרָאֶ֣ה לְךָ֔ לְהוֹדִיעֵ֖נִי מָ֥ה אֶעֱשֶֽׂה׃ {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.
▶Commentaries (2)
רש״יRashi
הִרְגַּזְתָּנִי. הֶחֱרַדְתָּנִי: גַּם בְּיַד הַנְּבִיאִים גַּם בַּחֲלֹמוֹת. אֲבָל בָּאוּרִים וְתֻמִּים לֹא אָמַר לוֹ, וְאַף עַל פִּי שֶׁשָּׁאַל בָּהֶם כְּמוֹ שֶׁאָמוּר לְמַעְלָה, שֶׁהָיָה בּוֹשׁ מִמֶּנּוּ עַל שֶׁהָרַג נוֹב עִיר הַכֹּהֲנִים: וָאֶקְרָאֶה לְךָ. לְשׁוֹן וָאֶזְעַק אַחֲרֶיךָ, כְּמוֹ ״נִקְרֹא נִקְרֵיתִי בְּהַר הַגִּלְבֹּעַ״ (שמואל ב א:ו); וּכְמוֹ ״וְשָׁם נִקְרָא אִישׁ בְּלִיַּעַל״ (שמואל ב כ:א), הֻצְרַכְתִּי לִהְיוֹת נִקְרָא אֵלֶיךָ, שֶׁתּוֹדִיעֵנִי מָה 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 [נִקְראׁ נִקְרֵיתִי] on Mount Gilbo'a,"17II Shmuel 1:6. and as in "and there chanced [נִקְרָא] 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.
רד״קRadak
הרגזתני. ממנוחתי: להעלות אותי. ממנוחתי ובדרש לשון פחד ורעדה הוא פחדתי מיום הדין הייתי סבור שיום הדין הוא וקורין אותי לדין: גם ביד הנביאים גם בחלומות. ולא אמר באורים כמו שאמר למעלה הכתוב כי באורים שאל אמרו בדרש כי בוש לומר לפני שמואל באורים לפי שהרג נוב עיר הכהנים: ואקראה לך. בה"א נוספת כמנהג כמו אשמעה אשמרה אבל להיות למ"ד הפעל 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.

פסוק ט״ז · Verse 16

Hebrew:

וַיֹּ֣אמֶר שְׁמוּאֵ֔ל וְלָ֖מָּה תִּשְׁאָלֵ֑נִי וַיהֹוָ֛ה סָ֥ר מֵעָלֶ֖יךָ וַיְהִ֥י עָרֶֽךָ׃

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.
▶Commentaries (1)
רש״יRashi
וְלָמָּה תִּשְׁאָלֵנִי. הֲרֵי שָׁאַלְתָּ מִן הַנְּבִיאִים הַחַיִּים: וַיְהִי עָרֶךָ. (תרגום:) ״וַהֲוָה בְּסַעֲדֵיהּ דְּגַבְרָא דְאַתְּ בְּעֵיל דּבָבֵיהּ״: עָרֶךָ. לְשׁוֹן שׂוֹנֵא וְכַמָּה יֵשׁ בַּמִּקְרָא, ״וּמָלְאוּ פְנֵי תֵבֵל עָרִים״ (ישעיהו יד:כא); ״וְהִשְׁמַדְתִּי עָרֶיךָ״ (מיכה ה:יג); ״חֶלְמָא לְשָׂנְאָךְ וּפִשְׁרֵהּ לְעָרָךְ״ (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 עׇרֶךָ], "and the world will become full with enemies [עׇרִים]";20Yeshay 14:21. "and I will destroy your enemies [עׇרֶיךָ]";21Micha 5:13. "may this dream be upon your enemies and its interpretation upon your adversaries [לְעָרָךְ]";22Daniel 4:16.

פסוק י״ז · Verse 17

Hebrew:

וַיַּ֤עַשׂ יְהֹוָה֙ ל֔וֹ כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר דִּבֶּ֣ר בְּיָדִ֑י וַיִּקְרַ֨ע יְהֹוָ֤ה אֶת־הַמַּמְלָכָה֙ מִיָּדֶ֔ךָ וַֽיִּתְּנָ֖הּ לְרֵעֲךָ֥ לְדָוִֽד׃

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,
▶Commentaries (1)
רש״יRashi
לְרֵעֲךָ לְדָוִד. וּבְחַיָּיו לֹא הִזְכִּיר לוֹ שְׁמוֹ, אֶלָּא ״וּנְתָנָהּ לְרֵעֲךָ הַטּוֹב מִמְּךָ״ (שמואל א טו:כח), לְפִי שֶׁהָיָה יָרֵא מִמֶּנּוּ שֶׁלֹּא יַהַרְגֵנּוּ, לְפִי שֶׁמְּשָׁחוֹ לַמַּלְכוּת (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 עוֹלָם הָאֶמֶת [=World of Truth] there was nothing to fear speaking the complete truth. because he had anointed him [Dovid] as king.

פסוק י״ח · Verse 18

Hebrew:

כַּאֲשֶׁ֤ר לֹא־שָׁמַ֙עְתָּ֙ בְּק֣וֹל יְהֹוָ֔ה וְלֹֽא־עָשִׂ֥יתָ חֲרוֹן־אַפּ֖וֹ בַּעֲמָלֵ֑ק עַל־כֵּן֙ הַדָּבָ֣ר הַזֶּ֔ה עָשָֽׂה־לְךָ֥ יְהֹוָ֖ה הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃

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.

פסוק י״ט · Verse 19

Hebrew:

וְיִתֵּ֣ן יְ֠הֹוָ֠ה גַּ֣ם אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֤ל עִמְּךָ֙ בְּיַד־פְּלִשְׁתִּ֔ים וּמָחָ֕ר אַתָּ֥ה וּבָנֶ֖יךָ עִמִּ֑י גַּ֚ם אֶת־מַחֲנֵ֣ה יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל יִתֵּ֥ן יְהֹוָ֖ה בְּיַד־פְּלִשְׁתִּֽים׃

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.”
▶Commentaries (1)
רש״יRashi
אַתָּה וּבָנֶיךָ עִמִּי. בִּמְחִצָּתִי:
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.

פסוק כ׳ · Verse 20

Hebrew:

וַיְמַהֵ֣ר שָׁא֗וּל וַיִּפֹּ֤ל מְלֹא־קֽוֹמָתוֹ֙ אַ֔רְצָה וַיִּרָ֥א מְאֹ֖ד מִדִּבְרֵ֣י שְׁמוּאֵ֑ל גַּם־כֹּ֙חַ֙ לֹא־הָ֣יָה ב֔וֹ כִּ֣י לֹ֤א אָכ��ל֙ לֶ֔חֶם כׇּל־הַיּ֖וֹם וְכׇל־הַלָּֽיְלָה׃

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.

פסוק כ״א · Verse 21

Hebrew:

וַתָּב֤וֹא הָֽאִשָּׁה֙ אֶל־שָׁא֔וּל וַתֵּ֖רֶא כִּֽי־נִבְהַ֣ל מְאֹ֑ד וַתֹּ֣אמֶר אֵלָ֗יו הִנֵּ֨ה שָֽׁמְעָ֤ה שִׁפְחָֽתְךָ֙ בְּקוֹלֶ֔ךָ וָאָשִׂ֤ים נַפְשִׁי֙ בְּכַפִּ֔י וָֽאֶשְׁמַע֙ אֶת־דְּבָרֶ֔יךָ אֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבַּ֖רְתָּ אֵלָֽי׃

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.

פסוק כ״ב · Verse 22

Hebrew:

וְעַתָּ֗ה שְׁמַֽע־נָ֤א גַם־אַתָּה֙ בְּק֣וֹל שִׁפְחָתֶ֔ךָ וְאָשִׂ֧מָה לְפָנֶ֛יךָ פַּת־לֶ֖חֶם וֶאֱכ֑וֹל וִיהִ֤י בְךָ֙ כֹּ֔חַ כִּ֥י תֵלֵ֖ךְ בַּדָּֽרֶךְ׃

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.”

פסוק כ״ג · Verse 23

Hebrew:

וַיְמָאֵ֗ן וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ לֹ֣א אֹכַ֔ל וַיִּפְרְצוּ־ב֤וֹ עֲבָדָיו֙ וְגַם־הָ֣אִשָּׁ֔ה וַיִּשְׁמַ֖ע לְקֹלָ֑ם וַיָּ֙קׇם֙ מֵֽהָאָ֔רֶץ וַיֵּ֖שֶׁב אֶל־הַמִּטָּֽה׃

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.

פסוק כ״ד · Verse 24

Hebrew:

וְלָאִשָּׁ֤ה עֵֽגֶל־מַרְבֵּק֙ בַּבַּ֔יִת וַתְּמַהֵ֖ר וַתִּזְבָּחֵ֑הוּ וַתִּקַּח־קֶ֣מַח וַתָּ֔לָשׁ וַתֹּפֵ֖הוּ מַצּֽוֹת׃

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.
▶Commentaries (1)
רש״יRashi
עֵגֶל מַרְבֵּק. (תרגום:) ״עֵגֶל פָּטִים״:
A fattened calf. A fattened calf.

פסוק כ״ה · Verse 25

Hebrew:

וַתַּגֵּ֧שׁ לִפְנֵי��שָׁא֛וּל וְלִפְנֵ֥י עֲבָדָ֖יו וַיֹּאכֵ֑לוּ וַיָּקֻ֥מוּ וַיֵּלְכ֖וּ בַּלַּ֥יְלָה הַהֽוּא׃ {פ}

English:

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

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