1 Samuel 28:10 Meaning and Explanation
“And Saul sware to her by the LORD, saying, As the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Saul swears by the LORD that no punishment will come to the woman for what she is about to do.
What Does 1 Samuel 28:10 Mean?
To reassure her, Saul takes an oath in the name of the LORD, vowing that she will face no penalty. The contradiction is stark and tragic: he invokes the holy name of God to guarantee safety in the very act God forbids. The sacred oath is bent to shelter an unlawful deed.
How easily the language of faith can be enlisted to cover what faith condemns. To say "as the LORD liveth" while doing what the LORD has prohibited is to take His name in vain in the deepest sense. The believer is sobered to see that reverent words cannot sanctify a disobedient act. God is honored not by our oaths but by our obedience.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 28:10
What does 1 Samuel 28:10 mean?
Saul swears by the LORD that no punishment will come to the woman for what she is about to do.