1 Samuel 28:21
ESV
And the woman came to Saul, and when she saw that he was terrified, she said to him, "Behold, your servant has obeyed you. I have taken my life in my hand and have listened to what you have said to me.
NIV
When the woman came to Saul and saw that he was greatly shaken, she said, "Look, your servant has obeyed you. I took my life in my hands and did what you told me to do.
NASB
The woman came to Saul and saw that he was utterly horrified, and she said to him, 'Behold, your servant has obeyed you, and I have taken my life in my hand and have listened to your words which you spoke to me.
CSB
The woman came over to Saul, and she saw that he was terrified and said to him, "Look, your servant has obeyed you. I took my life in my hands and did what you told me to do.
NLT
When the woman saw how distraught he was, she said, 'Sir, I obeyed your command at the risk of my life.
KJV
And the woman came unto Saul, and saw that he was sore troubled, and said unto him, Behold, thine handmaid hath obeyed thy voice, and I have put my life in my hand, and have hearkened unto thy words which thou spakest unto me.
NKJV
And the woman came to Saul and saw that he was severely troubled, and said to him, “Look, your maidservant has obeyed your voice, and I have put my life in my hands and heeded the words which you spoke to me.
What does 1 Samuel 28:21 mean?
When the medium greeted the three men who arrived in the middle of the night, she first refused to call up the dead. Her client assured her that she'd be safe. When her client asked for Samuel—and Samuel actually appeared—she realized she was speaking with Saul. As king of the Israelites, Saul had made it a point to rid the land of witchcraft. But when Saul, again, assured her she was safe, she transmitted Samuel's message to the king (1 Samuel 28:8–14).The message isn't great. God has left Saul permanently. David will be king. The Philistines will decisively win the battle. Saul and there of his sons will die (1 Samuel 28:15–19). The news, combined with Saul's weakness from fasting, drops him to the ground (1 Samuel 28:20). The woman hadn't wanted the king to kill her, but now she doesn't want to be the cause of the king's death. She points out that she trusted him. Now, it's his time to trust her.
She gives him a little bread. His servants must convince him to take it. It's enough for him to sit up. Then she prepares a bigger meal which he and his men gratefully eat (1 Samuel 28:21–24). Saul now has the energy to face the day. He, his sons, and his army will make a valiant effort against the superior Philistines. But they will be defeated (1 Samuel 31).
