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.

1 SAMUEL 28:8KJV
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1 Samuel 28:8 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 28:8 mean?

1 Samuel 28:8 describes how Saul disguised himself, wore different clothes, and went at night with two men to visit a woman who was known for communicating with spirits. Saul asked her to use her abilities to bring up the spirit of someone he would name.

In this scene, Saul, the king of Israel, is desperate for guidance as he faces a crisis and feels abandoned by God. He secretly visits a medium at night, even though he had previously banned such practices. Saul’s actions show his fear and willingness to break his own rules in search of answers.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 28:8

  • "disguised" (וַיִּתְחַפֵּשׂ, vayyitchappesh): This word means to change one’s appearance or to act in a way that hides one’s true identity. Saul’s use of disguise highlights his fear of being recognized and the seriousness of his situation.
  • "divine" (קָסַם, qasam): This verb means to practice divination or seek supernatural knowledge. Saul is directly asking the woman to use forbidden spiritual practices, which adds to the tension of the story.
  • "spirit" (אוֹב, 'ov): This word often refers to a medium or a familiar spirit, someone believed to communicate with the dead. Saul’s request for her to "divine by the familiar spirit" shows he is turning to practices he once condemned.

Why 1 Samuel 28:8 matters

  • This verse shows Saul’s desperation and how far he has strayed from his earlier convictions, even breaking his own laws to seek help.
  • The secrecy and nighttime setting emphasize Saul’s fear and the forbidden nature of what he is doing.
  • Understanding the original words for "disguised" and "divine" helps clarify that Saul is not just seeking advice, but is actively participating in something he once outlawed, which sets up the dramatic events that follow in the chapter.

Where else these words appear

“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 28:7 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.
  • 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.

“disguised” Hebrew H2664 · used in 20 verses

  • Genesis 31:35 And she said to her father, Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise up before thee; for the custom of women is upon me. And he searched, but found not the images.
  • 2 Kings 10:23 And Jehu went, and Jehonadab the son of Rechab, into the house of Baal, and said unto the worshippers of Baal, Search, and look that there be here with you none of the servants of the LORD, but the worshippers of Baal only.
  • Proverbs 2:4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

“divine” Hebrew H7080 · used in 20 verses

  • Deuteronomy 18:10 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,
  • Isaiah 44:25 That frustrateth the tokens of the liars, and maketh diviners mad; that turneth wise men backward, and maketh their knowledge foolish;
  • Ezekiel 21:23 And it shall be unto them as a false divination in their sight, to them that have sworn oaths: but he will call to remembrance the iniquity, that they may be taken.

“on” Hebrew H3847 · used in 103 verses

  • Genesis 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
  • 2 Chronicles 5:12 Also the Levites which were the singers, all of them of Asaph, of Heman, of Jeduthun, with their sons and their brethren, being arrayed in white linen, having cymbals and psalteries and harps, stood at the east end of the altar, and with them an hundred and twenty priests sounding with trumpets:)
  • Isaiah 49:18 Lift up thine eyes round about, and behold: all these gather themselves together, and come to thee. As I live, saith the LORD, thou shalt surely clothe thee with them all, as with an ornament, and bind them on thee, as a bride doeth.