1 Samuel 28:23 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Saul at first refuses food, but his servants and the woman press him until he relents, rises, and sits down.
What Does 1 Samuel 28:23 Mean?
Saul resists, saying he will not eat, but his servants join with the woman in urging him, and at last he yields. He rises from the ground where he had fallen and sits upon the bed. The small act of getting up and accepting care is itself a step back from total collapse.
Even when the spirit is crushed, the body must be tended, and those around Saul will not let him refuse. There is wisdom in their gentle insistence. The reader sees that in our lowest moments we sometimes need others to press us toward what will sustain us. To accept such care is not weakness but grace received, and to offer it is to love as we are called to love.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 28:23
What does 1 Samuel 28:23 mean?
Saul at first refuses food, but his servants and the woman press him until he relents, rises, and sits down.