1 Samuel 28:16 Meaning and Explanation
“Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Samuel asks why Saul appeals to him when the LORD has turned away from Saul and become his adversary.
What Does 1 Samuel 28:16 Mean?
Samuel's reply offers no comfort. He asks why Saul inquires of him at all, since the LORD has departed from Saul and become his enemy. The prophet directs Saul back to the real issue: the breach is not with Samuel but with God Himself, and no consultation can mend what only repentance could have healed.
These are sobering words, yet they carry a hidden mercy, for they name the true problem. Saul wanted guidance for the battle; what he needed was reconciliation with God. The verse reminds the reader that our deepest crisis is never merely our circumstances but the state of our hearts before the Lord. To set that right is to find the only help that finally matters.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 28:16
What does 1 Samuel 28:16 mean?
Samuel asks why Saul appeals to him when the LORD has turned away from Saul and become his adversary.