1 Samuel 28:6

The Philistines Gather against Israel · 1 Samuel 28:1–6
Read 1 Samuel 28

Translations

Modern
He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets.
Traditional
And when Saul enquired of the Lord, the Lord answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.
Literal
And Saul inquired of YHWH, and YHWH did not answer him either by dreams or by the Urim or by the prophets.
Latin
Consuluitque Dominum, et non respondit ei neque per somnia, neque per sacerdotes, neque per prophetas.

Original

Hebrew
English
He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets.

Notes

did not answer him: Earlier, Saul had asked the Lord for guidance using sacred lots, but the results were unclear (1 Samuel 14:36–42). God's silence was a sign of his judgment (1 Samuel 14:37; Lamentations 2:9; Ezekiel 7:26; Amos 8:11–12; Micah 3:6–7).

Saul consulted the dead, a practice forbidden by God’s law (see Leviticus 20:27; Deuteronomy 18:9–11).

Theme notes and profiles

Samuel Saul Calling up the Dead

Events

People

Saul: First king of Israel, anointed by Samuel Urim: Objects used with the Thummim for divine guidance

Glossary

Dreams Samuel (Person) Samuel, Books of First and Second Sheol Shunem Urim and Thummim

Topics

Familiar Spirits: Those Who Consulted: Saul Prophets: Frequently Left Without Divine Communication on Account of Samuel: Called up by the Witch of Endor Saul: King of Israel: His Kingdom Invaded by Philistines Urim and Thummim: Sometimes No Answer By, in Consequence of the Sin of Those Urim and Thummim: Withheld the Answer from King Saul