Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night.

1 SAMUEL 28:20KJV
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1 Samuel 28:20 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 28:20 mean?

1 Samuel 28:20 describes how Saul collapsed to the ground, overwhelmed by fear after hearing Samuel’s words, and physically weakened because he had not eaten anything all day and night. The verse shows both Saul’s emotional terror and his physical exhaustion in response to the message he received.

This moment takes place after Saul seeks out the medium at Endor to summon the deceased prophet Samuel. Saul is desperate for guidance before a battle with the Philistines, but Samuel’s message is one of doom. Saul’s reaction—falling to the earth and losing all strength—shows the depth of his despair and the toll his actions and fears have taken on him.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 28:20

  • fell (נָפַל, nāphal): This word means to fall or collapse, often used for someone losing control or being struck down. Here, it emphasizes Saul’s utter loss of composure and strength.
  • sore (מְאֹד, me’od) afraid (יָרֵא, yārē’): The Hebrew phrase highlights that Saul was not just afraid, but deeply terrified. The intensity of his fear is a key point in the verse.
  • strength (כֹּחַ, koach): This word means physical power or ability. The verse notes that Saul had no strength left, linking his emotional state to his physical weakness.
  • eaten (אָכַל, ’ākhal) bread (לֶחֶם, lechem): The mention of not eating bread all day and night underlines Saul’s neglect of his basic needs, likely due to anxiety and distress.

Why 1 Samuel 28:20 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Saul’s reaction to Samuel’s words is not just emotional but also physical, showing the complete impact of his fear and hopelessness.
  • The detail about Saul not eating connects his spiritual crisis to his physical neglect, highlighting how deeply troubled he is.
  • The verse marks a turning point in Saul’s story, showing his vulnerability and setting the stage for the tragic events that follow in the narrative.

Where else these words appear

“all” Hebrew H4393 · used in 36 verses

  • Genesis 48:19 And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.
  • 2 Samuel 8:2 And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. And so the Moabites became David's servants, and brought gifts.
  • Isaiah 31:4 For thus hath the LORD spoken unto me, Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the LORD of hosts come down to fight for mount Zion, and for the hill thereof.

“along” Hebrew H6967 · used in 43 verses

  • Genesis 6:15 And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits.
  • 1 Kings 6:20 And the oracle in the forepart was twenty cubits in length, and twenty cubits in breadth, and twenty cubits in the height thereof: and he overlaid it with pure gold; and so covered the altar which was of cedar.
  • 2 Chronicles 6:13 For Solomon had made a brasen scaffold, of five cubits long, and five cubits broad, and three cubits high, and had set it in the midst of the court: and upon it he stood, and kneeled down upon his knees before all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven,

“straightway” Hebrew H4116 · used in 60 verses

  • Genesis 18:6 And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth.
  • Judges 9:48 And Abimelech gat him up to mount Zalmon, he and all the people that were with him; and Abimelech took an axe in his hand, and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it, and laid it on his shoulder, and said unto the people that were with him, What ye have seen me do, make haste, and do as I have done.
  • Esther 5:5 Then the king said, Cause Haman to make haste, that he may do as Esther hath said. So the king and Haman came to the banquet that Esther had prepared.

“Samuel” Hebrew H8050 · used in 120 verses

  • Numbers 34:20 And of the tribe of the children of Simeon, Shemuel the son of Ammihud.
  • 1 Samuel 9:15 Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,
  • 1 Samuel 15:20 And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.