And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.

1 SAMUEL 28:6KJV
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1 Samuel 28:6 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 28:6 mean?

1 Samuel 28:6 describes how King Saul tried to get guidance from the LORD, but received no answer—neither through dreams, nor by the Urim, nor through prophets. This shows that Saul was cut off from the usual ways God communicated with leaders in Israel.

In this scene, Saul is desperate and afraid because of the Philistine army gathering against him. He seeks help from the LORD (the God of Israel), but none of the traditional means—dreams, the Urim (a priestly tool for decision-making), or messages from prophets—provide him with any response. The silence highlights Saul’s troubled relationship with God at this point in his life.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 28:6

  • "Urim" (אוּרִים, Urim): This refers to a sacred object used by the priests to seek God's guidance, often paired with the Thummim. Its mention shows Saul was trying every possible, accepted way to hear from God, not just personal prayer.
  • "Prophets" (נָבִיא, navi’): Prophets were recognized messengers of God in Israel. The verse notes that even through these official spokespeople, Saul received no word, emphasizing the completeness of the silence.

Why 1 Samuel 28:6 matters

  • The verse shows that Saul, once chosen by God, is now unable to access divine guidance, which sets the stage for his later desperate actions, including seeking out a medium.
  • By listing all the main ways God typically communicated—dreams, Urim, prophets—the verse underscores just how thoroughly Saul has been cut off.
  • This silence from God is a turning point in Saul’s story, marking a deep spiritual crisis and highlighting the consequences of his earlier choices and disobedience.

Where else these words appear

“Urim” Hebrew H224 · used in 7 verses

  • Exodus 28:30 And thou shalt put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim; and they shall be upon Aaron's heart, when he goeth in before the LORD: and Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel upon his heart before the LORD continually.
  • Numbers 27:21 And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.
  • Ezra 2:63 And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy things, till there stood up a priest with Urim and with Thummim.

“dreams” Hebrew H2472 · used in 55 verses

  • Genesis 20:3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife.
  • Genesis 41:11 And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream.
  • Job 7:14 Then thou scarest me with dreams, and terrifiest me through visions: