1 Samuel 28:20
ESV
Then Saul fell at once full length on the ground, filled with fear because of the words of Samuel. And there was no strength in him, for he had eaten nothing all day and all night.
NIV
Immediately Saul fell full length on the ground, filled with fear because of Samuel’s words. His strength was gone, for he had eaten nothing all that day and all that night.
NASB
Then Saul immediately fell full length to the ground and was very afraid because of Samuel’s words; there was no strength in him either, because he had eaten no food all day and all night.
CSB
Immediately, Saul fell flat on the ground. He was terrified by Samuel’s words and was also weak because he had not eaten anything all day and all night.
NLT
Saul fell full length on the ground, paralyzed with fright because of Samuel’s words. He was also faint with hunger, for he had eaten nothing all day and all night.
KJV
Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night.
NKJV
Immediately Saul fell full length on the ground, and was dreadfully afraid because of the words of Samuel. And there was no strength in him, for he had eaten no food all day or all night.
What does 1 Samuel 28:20 mean?
Israel's first king, Saul, had been afraid. Now he confirms that he had good reasons for the angst. He had looked out at the Philistine army and suspected the Israelites couldn't win. God refused to respond to Saul's calls, and Saul desperately wanted to talk to Samuel. Since Samuel is dead, he went to a medium (1 Samuel 28:3–7).The great lengths Saul took to hear from his old mentor Samuel didn't help him in the end. Either through the work of the medium at En-dor—or despite her—the Lord allowed a spirit to speak to Saul from beyond the grave. The message only confirmed what Saul should have known all along: In response to his disobedience, the Lord has rejected Saul as king (1 Samuel 28:17–18). Far worse, Saul and his sons will fall to the Philistines the very next day (1 Samuel 28:19).
Now the full weight of Samuel's words falls on Saul, and he falls face-down on the ground in fear. His condition is made worse by the fact that he hasn't eaten anything for a day and a night (1 Samuel 14:24). Once again, Saul is revealed to be both religious and disobedient, falsely believing that the ritual practice of his religion matters more to the Lord than his trust and obedience in what God says.
His foil is the man God has chosen to replace him. David won't always follow God or make wise choices, but unlike Saul, he will truly repent to God. Saul regretted and even apologized, but he never changed his behavior to honor God. Now, it's too late.
