1 Samuel 28:5
ESV
When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly.
NIV
When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid; terror filled his heart.
NASB
When Saul saw the camp of the Philistines, he was afraid and his heart trembled greatly.
CSB
When Saul saw the Philistine camp, he was afraid and his heart pounded.
NLT
When Saul saw the vast Philistine army, he became frantic with fear.
KJV
And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled.
NKJV
When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly.
What does 1 Samuel 28:5 mean?
From his position on Mount Gilboa, King Saul has a good view of the massive Philistine forces gathered nearby. The enemy is at Shunem, just southwest of the Hill of Moreh in the Jezreel Valley, near the Sea of Galilee. Saul doesn't like what he sees. The Philistine army far outnumber his own fighting men. They are also much better equipped with weapons and defensive armor (1 Samuel 13:19–22). Saul can't see a way for Israel to survive this battle, and he's terrified. Either physically or metaphorically, Saul's heart is trembling at the prospect of the battle that looms before him.Even worse, he knows God is not with him. When he was first made king, the Holy Spirit came upon him (1 Samuel 10:10). But after disobeying God several times, God took His Spirit away and allowed an evil spirit to torment him (1 Samuel 16:12–14). No matter how Saul asks, God will not answer (1 Samuel 28:6).
In the past, Saul would seek out Samuel, but he hasn't seen Samuel since the prophet told him another—David—would take his kingdom (1 Samuel 15:28, 35). Since then, Samuel has died (1 Samuel 25:1). Saul is desperate to hear from him again. So, he resorts to witchcraft (1 Samuel 28:7).
