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1 Samuel 28:5

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 28:5 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly.
1 Samuel 28:5 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 28

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
2And David said to Achish, Therefore thou shalt know what thy servant will do. And Achish said to David, Therefore will I make thee keeper of my head for ever.
3Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land.
4And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and encamped in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they encamped in Gilboa.
5And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly.
6And when Saul inquired of Jehovah, Jehovah answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.
7Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and inquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at En-dor.
8And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and went, he and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, Divine unto me, I pray thee, by the familiar spirit, and bring me up whomsoever I shall name unto thee.
← 1 Samuel 28:41 Samuel 28:6 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, etc.] From the mountains of Gilboa, where he had pitched his camp: he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled; on sight of the numbers of them, and thinking perhaps of the death of Samuel, and of the loss of David; who was now among the Philistines, and might possibly fight against him, and for the Philistines, of which he might be informed; however, he was not with him, and his conscience might accuse him of various sins he had been guilty of, for which he might fear the Lord would now reckon with him.”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“He trembled - Had he kept close to God, he needed not fear all the armies of the Philistines. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 28:7”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“he was afraid: Job 15:21, Job 18:11; Psa 48:5, Psa 48:6, Psa 73:19; Pro 10:24; Isa 7:2, Isa 21:3, Isa 21:4; Isa 57:20, Isa 57:21; Dan 5:6 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 28:6”
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Related study paths

Read 1 Samuel 28 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification