And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth.

1 SAMUEL 28:13KJV
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1 Samuel 28:13 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 28:13 mean?

1 Samuel 28:13 describes a moment when Saul, Israel’s king, asks a medium what she sees during a forbidden attempt to contact the dead. The woman tells Saul that she sees “gods” (or “divine beings”) coming up out of the earth, reporting a supernatural vision as part of the séance.

In this scene, Saul is speaking to a woman known as the medium of Endor, seeking guidance after God has stopped answering him. The woman, frightened by what she sees, is reassured by Saul and then describes a vision of spiritual beings rising from the ground. The word “gods” here reflects ancient language for supernatural figures, not literal deities, and sets up the appearance of Samuel’s spirit in the story.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 28:13

  • gods (אֱלֹהִים, ’elohim): This word often means “God” but can also refer to spiritual beings or powerful figures. Here, the woman uses it to describe what she sees, likely meaning a supernatural or ghostly presence rather than multiple gods.
  • ascending (עָלָה, ‘alah): This verb means “going up” or “rising.” The woman describes the beings as coming up from the earth, which fits ancient ideas about the dead dwelling below ground.
  • earth (אֶרֶץ, ’erets): This word means “land” or “earth.” In this context, it refers to the ground or underworld, reinforcing the idea that these beings are coming from the realm of the dead.

Why 1 Samuel 28:13 matters

  • The verse clarifies that the medium is seeing something supernatural, not just imagining or pretending, which is important for understanding the seriousness of Saul’s actions.
  • The use of the word “gods” (’elohim) highlights how ancient people described encounters with the spiritual world, not necessarily implying polytheism but rather a vision of powerful, otherworldly figures.
  • This moment sets the stage for Samuel’s spirit to appear and deliver a message to Saul, marking a turning point in Saul’s troubled reign and deepening the story’s sense of desperation and the consequences of seeking forbidden spiritual help.