Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.

1 SAMUEL 28:7KJV
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1 Samuel 28:7 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 28:7 mean?

1 Samuel 28:7 describes King Saul asking his servants to find a woman who can communicate with spirits, so he can seek her help, and his servants tell him about such a woman living in Endor. This verse shows Saul turning to forbidden spiritual practices because he feels desperate for guidance.

In this scene, Saul is speaking to his servants during a time of great fear and uncertainty, as he faces the threat of the Philistine army and feels abandoned by God. The verse highlights Saul’s decision to seek out a "woman that hath a familiar spirit," which refers to someone believed to communicate with the dead or with spirits. The servants respond by identifying a specific woman in the town of Endor who is known for this practice.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 28:7

  • "woman" (אִשָּׁה, ishah): This word simply means "woman," but here it specifically refers to a female practitioner of spirit communication, which was forbidden in Israelite law.
  • "familiar spirit" (אוֹב, ov): This term is often understood as a person who claims to contact spirits of the dead, acting as a medium. The word can also refer to the spirit itself or the ritual involved.
  • "Endor" (עֵין־דּוֹר, ein-dor): This is the name of the town where the woman lives, providing a concrete location for the story and showing Saul’s willingness to travel for forbidden counsel.

Why 1 Samuel 28:7 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Saul is actively seeking out forbidden spiritual guidance, highlighting his desperation and the seriousness of his situation.
  • The mention of Endor connects this event to a specific place, grounding the story in real geography and showing Saul’s willingness to go to great lengths.
  • The verse sets up the dramatic events that follow, where Saul’s actions have significant consequences for him and for Israel, emphasizing the dangers of turning away from God’s instructions.

Where else these words appear

“hath” Hebrew H1172 · used in 3 verses

  • 1 Kings 17:17 And it came to pass after these things, that the son of the woman, the mistress of the house, fell sick; and his sickness was so sore, that there was no breath left in him.
  • Nahum 3:4 Because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the wellfavoured harlot, the mistress of witchcrafts, that selleth nations through her whoredoms, and families through her witchcrafts.

“Endor” Hebrew H5874 · used in 3 verses

  • Joshua 17:11 And Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher Bethshean and her towns, and Ibleam and her towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, and the inhabitants of Endor and her towns, and the inhabitants of Taanach and her towns, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns, even three countries.
  • Psalms 83:10 Which perished at Endor: they became as dung for the earth.

“spirit” Hebrew H178 · used in 16 verses

  • Leviticus 19:31 Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.
  • 1 Samuel 28:8 And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto thee.
  • 2 Chronicles 33:6 And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger.