1 Samuel 28:23
ESV
He refused and said, "I will not eat." But his servants, together with the woman, urged him, and he listened to their words. So he arose from the earth and sat on the bed.
NIV
He refused and said, "I will not eat." But his men joined the woman in urging him, and he listened to them. He got up from the ground and sat on the couch.
NASB
But he refused and said, 'I will not eat.' However, his servants together with the woman urged him, and he listened to them. So he got up from the ground and sat on the bed.
CSB
He refused, saying, "I won’t eat," but when his servants and the woman urged him, he listened to them. He got up off the ground and sat on the bed.
NLT
But Saul refused to eat anything. Then his advisers joined the woman in urging him to eat, so he finally yielded and got up from the ground and sat on the couch.
KJV
But he refused, and said, I will not eat. But his servants, together with the woman, compelled him; and he hearkened unto their voice. So he arose from the earth, and sat upon the bed.
NKJV
But he refused and said, “I will not eat.” So his servants, together with the woman, urged him; and he heeded their voice. Then he arose from the ground and sat on the bed.
What does 1 Samuel 28:23 mean?
Saul was afraid before. Now, he's in complete despair. He's facing a huge Philistine army. The only way he could get spiritual advice was by going to a medium to summon the spirit of Samuel. He's just learned he and his sons will die the next day. And he hasn't eaten anything (1 Samuel 28:3–19).All these struggles are Saul's own fault. He has been disobeying God since his early battles (1 Samuel 13:8–12; 15:22–23). Samuel told him repeatedly that God would take the kingdom from him and give it to another (1 Samuel 13:13–14; 15:26–30). And Saul knows his successor is David.
It's all too much. He crumples to the ground and refuses to get up. The woman gently demands he do what she says and eat a little bread. He still refuses. But between her insistence and his servants' encouragement, he realizes she's right and sits up on the bed (1 Samuel 28:20–22). While he eats, the woman shows the hospitality of the culture. She kills her fattened calf, cooks it, and makes fresh bread. Saul and his servants eat and return to camp (1 Samuel 28:24–25).
In the morning, Saul and his army will battle the Philistines. They will flee and be defeated on Mount Gilboa. Jonathan and two of his brothers will be slain. Archers will wound Saul. When his armor-bearer refuses to put him out of his misery, Saul will fall on his own sword (1 Samuel 31:1–7).
For tonight, however, Saul and his servants share one last meal.
