Then said Samuel, Wherefore then doest thou aske of mee, seeing the Lord is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy? 1 Samuel 28:16 (KJV)
1 Samuel 28 is a pivotal chapter in the narrative of King Saul, the first king of Israel. At this point Saul is in great distress as he prepares to go to war against the Philistines. He is troubled because the Lord’s spirit had departed from him, as noted earlier in 1 Samuel 16:14 and 28:7‑8, and he receives no answer through the usual means of divine communication—dreams, prophets, or the Urim.
In desperation Saul asks the woman at Endor to summon the deceased prophet Samuel. The spirit’s reply is recorded in the verse as, “Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?” Some translations render the reply as, “Why hast thou troubled me?” indicating the spirit’s displeasure at being disturbed. Both renderings convey Samuel’s rebuke of Saul’s request.
Samuel’s words highlight the departure of the Lord from Saul. The departure refers to the withdrawal of God’s favour, presence, and guidance because of Saul’s persistent disobedience and lack of repentance. By rejecting God’s ways and pursuing his own desires, Saul placed himself in opposition to God, and God’s favour turned away, becoming effectively an enemy to him.
The chapter teaches several important lessons. First, the importance of obedience: Saul’s repeated disobedience led to severe consequences, underscoring the need to faithfully follow God’s commands. Second, the consequences of rebellion: Persistently rejecting God’s ways distances a person from His presence and blessings, urging humility, repentance, and submission to divine guidance. Third, the danger of seeking counsel from forbidden sources: Saul’s attempt to consult a medium demonstrates the peril of turning to sources contrary to God’s will. Believers are called to seek God’s wisdom through prayer, Scripture, and godly counsel rather than worldly or occult means.
In conclusion, 1 Samuel 28:16 records Samuel’s brief rebuke, whether phrased as a question about the Lord’s departure or as a lament over being troubled. The broader narrative illustrates the consequences of Saul’s disobedience, the withdrawal of divine favor, and the vital need to rely on God alone for guidance.
