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Contemporary English Version

1 Samuel 28:7

Then Saul told his officers, "Find me a woman who can talk to the spirits of the dead. I'll go to her and find out what's going to happen." His servants told him, "There's a woman at Endor who can talk to spirits of the dead."

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - En-Dor;   Familiar Spirits;   Miracles;   Necromancy;   Samuel;   Saul;   Sorcery;   Witchcraft;   Thompson Chain Reference - En-Dor;   Fortune Telling;   Magic;   Saul, King of Israel;   Witchcraft;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Dead, the;   Miracles through Evil Agents;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Endor;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Samuel;   Saul, king of israel;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Descent into Hell (Hades);   War, Holy War;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Prayer;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Endor;   Magic;   Necromancer;   Saul;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - David;   Divination;   Endor;   Saul;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Ancestors;   Divination and Magic;   Endor;   Inquire of God;   Samuel, Books of;   Saul;   Urim and Thummim;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Death;   En-Dor;   Eschatology;   Magic, Divination, and Sorcery;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Descent into Hades;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Endor ;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Endor;   Magic;   Saul;   Smith Bible Dictionary - En'-Dor;   Wilson's Dictionary of Bible Types - Familiar;   Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary - Dreams;   War;  

Encyclopedias:

- Condensed Biblical Cyclopedia - Hebrew Monarchy, the;   International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Charm;   Communion with Demons;   En-Dor;   Familiar;   God;   Inquire;   Intercession;   Mistress;   Samuel, Books of;   Saul;   Woman;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Endor;   Endor, the Witch of;   Necromancy;   Palestine;   Samuel;   Witchcraft;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
Saul then said to his servants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so I can go and consult her.”
Hebrew Names Version
Then said Sha'ul to his servants, Seek me a woman who has a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and inquire of her. His servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman who has a familiar spirit at En-dor.
King James Version
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.
Lexham English Bible
So Saul said to his servants, "Search for me a woman who is a medium so that I may go to her and inquire of her." His servants said to him, "Look there is a woman who is a medium in Endor."
English Standard Version
Then Saul said to his servants, "Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her." And his servants said to him, "Behold, there is a medium at En-dor."
New Century Version
Then Saul said to his servants, "Find me a woman who is a medium so I may go and ask her what will happen." His servants answered, "There is a medium in Endor."
New English Translation
So Saul instructed his servants, "Find me a woman who is a medium, so that I may go to her and inquire of her." His servants replied to him, "There is a woman who is a medium in Endor."
Amplified Bible
Then Saul said to his servants, "Find for me a woman who is a medium [between the living and the dead], so that I may go to her and ask her advice." His servants said to him, "There is a woman who is a medium at En-dor."
New American Standard Bible
Then Saul said to his servants, "Find for me a woman who is a medium, so that I may go to her and inquire of her." And his servants said to him, "Behold, there is a woman who is a medium at En-dor."
Geneva Bible (1587)
Then saide Saul vnto his seruants, Seeke me a woman that hath a familiar spirite, that I may goe to her, and aske of her. And his seruants said to him, Beholde, there is a woman at En-dor that hath a familiar spirit.
Legacy Standard Bible
So Saul said to his servants, "Seek for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her." And his servants said to him, "Behold, there is a woman who is a medium at En-dor."
Complete Jewish Bible
Then Sha'ul said to his servants, "Try to find a woman who tells the future by communicating with the dead; I want to go and consult with her." His servants answered him, "Yes, there's a woman in ‘Ein-Dor who tells the future by communicating with the dead."
Darby Translation
Then said Saul to his servants, Seek me a woman that has a spirit of Python, that I may go to her and inquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman who has a spirit of Python at En-dor.
Easy-to-Read Version
Finally, Saul said to his officers, "Find me a woman who is a medium. Then I can go ask her what will happen." His officers answered, "There is a medium at Endor."
George Lamsa Translation
Then Saul said to his servants, Seek me a woman who has a familiar spirit, that I may go to her and inquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman who has a familiar spirit at Endor.
Good News Translation
Then Saul ordered his officials, "Find me a woman who is a medium, and I will go and consult her." "There is one in Endor," they answered.
Literal Translation
And Saul said to his servants, Seek out for me a woman, a medium, and I will go to her and inquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, a woman, a medium, is in Endor.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
The sayde Saul vnto his seruauntes: Seke me a woma which hath a sprete of soythsayege, that I maye go vnto her, and axe at her. His seruauntes sayde vnto him: Beholde, at Endor is there a woman, which hath a sprete of soythsayenge.
American Standard Version
Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and inquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at En-dor.
Bible in Basic English
Then Saul said to his servants, Get me a woman who has control of a spirit so that I may go to her and get directions. And his servants said to him, There is such a woman at En-dor.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Then sayd Saul vnto his seruautes: Seeke me a woman that hath a familier spirite, that I may go to her, and aske of her. And his seruauntes sayd to him: Beholde, there is a woman that hath a familier spirite at Endor.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
Then said Saul unto his servants: 'Seek me a woman that divineth by a ghost, that I may go to her, and inquire of her.' And his servants said to him: 'Behold, there is a woman that divineth by a ghost at En-dor.'
King James Version (1611)
Then said Saul vnto his seruants, Seeke me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may goe to her, and enquire of her. And his seruant said to him, Beholde, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
Then Saul said to his servants, Seek for me a woman who has in her a divining spirit, and I will go to her, and enquire of her: and his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman who has in her a divining spirit at Aendor.
English Revised Version
Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and inquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at En–dor.
Berean Standard Bible
Then Saul said to his servants, "Find me a woman who is a medium, so I can go and consult her." "There is a medium at Endor," his servants replied.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And Saul seide to hise seruauntis, Seke ye to me a womman hauynge a feend spekynge in the wombe; and Y schal go to hir, and Y schal axe bi hir. And hise seruauntis seiden to hym, A womman hauynge a feend spekynge in the wombe is in Endor.
Young's Literal Translation
And Saul saith to his servants, `Seek for me a woman possessing a familiar spirit, and I go unto her, and inquire of her;' and his servants say unto him, `Lo, a woman possessing a familiar spirit in En-dor.'
Update Bible Version
Then Saul said to his slaves, Seek me a woman that is mistress of a spirit, that I may go to her, and inquire of her. And his slaves said to him, Look, there is a woman at En-dor that is mistress of a spirit.
Webster's Bible Translation
Then said Saul to his servants, seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and inquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, [there is] a woman that hath a familiar spirit at En-dor.
World English Bible
Then said Saul to his servants, Seek me a woman who has a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and inquire of her. His servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman who has a familiar spirit at En-dor.
New King James Version
Then Saul said to his servants, "Find me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her." And his servants said to him, "In fact, there is a woman who is a medium at En Dor."
New Living Translation
Saul then said to his advisers, "Find a woman who is a medium, so I can go and ask her what to do." His advisers replied, "There is a medium at Endor."
New Life Bible
Then Saul said to his servants, "Find a woman for me who can speak with spirits, that I may go to her and ask her what I should do." His servants said to him, "See, there is a woman at Endor who can speak with spirits."
New Revised Standard
Then Saul said to his servants, "Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, so that I may go to her and inquire of her." His servants said to him, "There is a medium at Endor."
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
Then said Saul unto his servants - Seek me out a woman that owneth a familiar spirit, that I may even go unto her, and enquire of her. And his servants said unto him, Lo! there is a woman that owneth a familiar spirit in En-dor.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Saul said to his servants: Seek me a woman that hath a divining spirit, and I will go to her, and enquire by her. And his servants said to him: There is a woman that hath a divining spirit at Endor.
Revised Standard Version
Then Saul said to his servants, "Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her." And his servants said to him, "Behold, there is a medium at Endor."
THE MESSAGE
So Saul ordered his officials, "Find me someone who can call up spirits so I may go and seek counsel from those spirits." His servants said, "There's a witch at Endor."
New American Standard Bible (1995)
Then Saul said to his servants, "Seek for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her." And his servants said to him, "Behold, there is a woman who is a medium at En-dor."

Contextual Overview

7 Then Saul told his officers, "Find me a woman who can talk to the spirits of the dead. I'll go to her and find out what's going to happen." His servants told him, "There's a woman at Endor who can talk to spirits of the dead." 8 That night, Saul put on different clothing so nobody would recognize him. Then he and two of his men went to the woman, and asked, "Will you bring up the ghost of someone for us?" 9 The woman said, "Why are you trying to trick me and get me killed? You know King Saul has gotten rid of everyone who talks to the spirits of the dead!" 10 Saul replied, "I swear by the living Lord that nothing will happen to you because of this." 11 "Who do you want me to bring up?" she asked. "Bring up the ghost of Samuel," he answered. 12 When the woman saw Samuel, she screamed. Then she turned to Saul and said, "You've tricked me! You're the king!" 13 "Don't be afraid," Saul replied. "Just tell me what you see." She answered, "I see a spirit rising up out of the ground." 14 "What does it look like?" "It looks like an old man wearing a robe." Saul knew it was Samuel, so he bowed down low.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Seek me: 2 Kings 1:2, 2 Kings 1:3, 2 Kings 6:33, Isaiah 8:19, Isaiah 8:20, Lamentations 3:25, Lamentations 3:26, Habakkuk 2:3

a familiar spirit: 1 Samuel 28:3, Deuteronomy 18:11, Isaiah 19:3, Acts 16:16

that I may: Leviticus 19:31, 1 Chronicles 10:13, Isaiah 8:19

Endor: En-dor, a city of Manasseh, was situated in the plain of Jezreel; and Eusebius and Jerome inform us, that it was a great town in their days, four miles south from Mount Tabor, near Nain, towards Scythopolis. This agrees with Maundrell, who says, that not many miles eastward of Tabor, you see mount Hermon, at the foot of which is seated Nain and Endor; and Burckhardt says, that in two hours and a half from Nazareth, towards Scythopolis or Bisan, they came to the village of Denouny, near which are the ruins of Endor; where the witch's grotto is shewn. Joshua 17:11, Psalms 83:10

Reciprocal: Leviticus 20:27 - a familiar Deuteronomy 18:10 - that useth divination Acts 19:19 - used

Cross-References

Genesis 27:43
Now listen carefully and do what I say. Go to the home of my brother Laban in Haran
Exodus 20:12
Respect your father and your mother, and you will live a long time in the land I am giving you.
Leviticus 19:3
Respect your father and your mother, honor the Sabbath, and don't make idols or images. I am the Lord your God.
Proverbs 1:8
My child, obey the teachings of your parents,
Proverbs 30:17
Don't make fun of your father or disobey your mother— crows will peck out your eyes, and buzzards will eat the rest of you.
Ephesians 6:1
Children, you belong to the Lord, and you do the right thing when you obey your parents. The first commandment with a promise says,
Ephesians 6:3
and you will have a long and happy life."
Colossians 3:20
Children must always obey their parents. This pleases the Lord.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Then said Saul unto his servants,.... That waited upon him, to some of them, to such as he could place most confidence in to keep a secret; perhaps only the two after mentioned:

seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and inquire of her; that was mistress of the bottle, a ventriloquist, that spoke out of her belly, or seemed to do; who had the spirit of Python or divination, conversed with the devil, and by his assistance pretended to bring up a dead person, and thereby foretell things to come; :-; a woman is pitched upon, because such were most addicted to those wicked arts, and being of the weaker sex, were more easily imposed upon by Satan; and Saul showed himself to be as weak, to seek after such persons; but being left of God, he acted the part of a mad man, as well as of a bad man:

and his servants said to him, behold, [there is] a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor; a city in the tribe of Manasseh, of which see

Joshua 17:11; it was not far from Gilboa. Mr. Maundrell speaks c of it as near Nain, at the foot of Mount Hermon; and turning, a little southward, he says, you have in view the high mountains of Gilboa. It is a tradition of the Jews d that this woman was the mother of Abner, the wife of Zephaniah; some say her name was Zephaniah; but, as Abarbinel observes, if so she would have known Saul, and also Saul would have known her, and what she was, if, as they say, she was spared because of her relation to him; nor needed he to have inquired of his servants for such a woman.

c Journey from Aleppo, p. 115. d Pirke Eliezer, c. 33. foi. 35. 2. Shalshalet Hakabala, fol. 8. 1. Hieron. Trad. Heb. in lib. Reg. fol. 77. B.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Enquire - A different word from that in 1 Samuel 28:6, though nearly synonymous with it. It is more frequently applied to inquiry of a false god, as e. g. 2 Kings 1:2; Isaiah 8:19; Isaiah 19:3.

En-dor (see Joshua 11:2 note) was seven or eight miles from the slopes of Gilboa, on the north of little Hermon, where the Philistines were encamped; so that Saul must have run great risks in going there.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 1 Samuel 28:7. Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit — Literally, Seek me a woman, בעלת אוב baalath ob, the mistress of the Ob or Pythonic spirit - one who had a familiar spirit, whom she could invoke when she pleased, and receive answers from him relative to futurity.

Strange that a man, who had banished all such from the land, as dangerous to the state, as impostors and deceivers, should now have recourse to them as the only persons in whom he could safely put his confidence in the time in which Jehovah had refused to help him!

At En-dor. — This was a city in the valley of Jezreel, at the foot of Mount Gilboa, where the army of Saul had now encamped.


 
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