1 Samuel 28:25

And she brought it before Saul, and before his servants; and they did eat. Then they rose up, and went away that night.

1 Samuel 28:25 (KJV)

Context

This verse closes the account of Saul’s secret visit to the medium at Endor. Saul, the first king of Israel, faced a Philistine army and was afraid. God no longer answered him through dreams, prophets, or the Urim and Thummim. In desperation, Saul sought a woman who could call up the dead, even though he himself had once removed such people from the land. The woman prepared a meal from a fat calf and unleavened bread, and she set it before Saul and his servants. They ate, then rose and left that same night.

Meaning

The pronoun she points to the medium, and it refers to the food she had prepared. Her hospitality fulfilled its purpose, but the meal was not a joyful fellowship. It was a hurried supper taken in darkness, both literally and spiritually. The words “that night” show urgency and secrecy. Saul had come in disguise, and he needed to return to his camp before daylight. The meal also marks the end of his encounter with the summoned spirit of Samuel, who had already pronounced judgment on him. Eating and leaving quietly is a somber picture of a king who had lost his standing with God.

Biblical connections

Earlier in Saul’s life, Samuel had shared meals with him as a sign of God’s favor and guidance. Now Saul shares a meal with a medium, a practice God had forbidden. The contrast is sharp. In 1 Samuel 28:24, the woman kills a calf and bakes bread, showing her care, yet the meal cannot restore what Saul has broken. The departure that night leads directly into the battle where Saul will die, as recorded in the next chapter. The verse does not comment on the events; it simply reports them, leaving the reader to see the tragedy.

Application

Saul’s desperation drove him to forbidden sources of guidance. When we face hard decisions, we may be tempted to look for quick answers outside God’s Word. This passage warns us that fear can push us toward choices we once knew were wrong. It also reminds us that disobedience has consequences. Saul’s repeated refusal to obey God led to silence from heaven. We should examine our own lives for areas where we have ignored clear commands, and we should turn back to God while He may still be found.

Reflection

God remained sovereign even in this dark moment. He allowed the woman to call up Samuel, but that did not mean He approved of her practice. God can use all events to accomplish His purposes, yet He never blesses sin. Saul’s story is a warning: a person can lose the joy of God’s presence through persistent disobedience. Yet the same God who judged Saul is patient with us. He invites us to repent and seek His face through prayer, Scripture, and wise counsel from faithful believers. The night that closed Saul’s visit reminds us that every choice leads somewhere. We are wise to choose the path of obedience while there is still light.