And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those that have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land: wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die?

1 SAMUEL 28:9KJV
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1 Samuel 28:9 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 28:9 mean?

1 Samuel 28:9 shows the woman at Endor warning the disguised Saul that seeking out someone with a "familiar spirit" is dangerous because Saul himself has banned and punished such practices. She fears for her life, suspecting that this request could be a trap to get her killed.

In this verse, the woman is speaking to Saul, who is in disguise and has come to her for help in contacting the dead. She reminds him that Saul (not knowing he is Saul) has driven out all mediums and wizards from the land, making her actions illegal and risky. The verse highlights her fear of being caught and punished for breaking the king's command.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 28:9

  • "woman" (אִשָּׁה, ishah): This word simply means "woman," but here it refers specifically to the medium at Endor, a person known for communicating with spirits.
  • "spirits" (אוֹב, 'ov): This word often refers to a medium or someone who claims to communicate with the dead. It can also mean a spirit itself, but in this context, it points to the woman's role as a medium.
  • "wizards" (יִדְּעֹנִי, yidde'oni): This term refers to people believed to possess secret knowledge or magical powers, often associated with divination or consulting spirits.
  • "snare" (מוֹקֵשׁ, moqesh): This word means a trap or snare. The woman uses it to express her fear that Saul's request is a setup that could lead to her death.

Why 1 Samuel 28:9 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Saul had previously enforced a strict ban on occult practices, which sets up the tension and irony of him now seeking out a medium himself.
  • The woman's fear shows how seriously Saul's command was taken and how dangerous it was to be involved in such activities at that time.
  • The verse helps explain why the woman is hesitant and suspicious, adding to the drama and gravity of Saul's desperate situation in the story.

Where else these words appear

“snare” Hebrew H5367 · used in 5 verses

  • Deuteronomy 12:30 Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise.
  • Psalms 9:16 The LORD is known by the judgment which he executeth: the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Higgaion. Selah.
  • Psalms 38:12 They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long.

“wizards” Hebrew H3049 · used in 11 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.
  • Deuteronomy 18:11 Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.
  • 2 Kings 23:24 Moreover the workers with familiar spirits, and the wizards, and the images, and the idols, and all the abominations that were spied in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, did Josiah put away, that he might perform the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the LORD.

“spirits” 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.