1 Samuel 28 שְׁמוּאֵל א פרק כ״ח

Masoretic Text, word by word with transliteration and English glosses, the English verse beneath each. Open 1 Samuel 28 in the interlinear reader for roots and notes, or listen to it read aloud in Hebrew.

1. 1

   וַיְהִיvay/HIand it came to passבַּיָּמִיםbay/ya/MIMin the daysהָהֵםha/HEMthoseוַיִּקְבְּצוּvay/yik/be/TSUthat gatheredפְלִשְׁתִּיםFe/lish/TIMthe Philistinesאֶת־מַחֲנֵיהֶםet-ma/cha/ne/HEMtheir armiesלַצָּבָאlats/tsa/VAfor warלְהִלָּחֵםle/hil/la/CHEMto fightבְּיִשְׂרָאֵלbe/Yis/ra/ELagainst Israelוַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidאָכִישׁA/KHISHAchishאֶל־דָּוִדel-Da/VIDto Davidיָדֹעַya/DO/aknowתֵּדַעte/DAyou shall knowכִּיkithatאִתִּיit/TIwith meתֵּצֵאte/TSEyou shall go outבַמַּחֲנֶהvam/ma/cha/NEin the armyאַתָּהat/TAyouוַאֲנָשֶׁיךָ׃va/a/na/SHE/khaand your men

   And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. And Achish said unto David, Know thou assuredly, that thou shalt go out with me to battle, thou and thy men.

2. 2

   וַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidדָּוִדDa/VIDDavidאֶל־אָכִישׁel-A/KHISHto Achishלָכֵןla/KHENvery wellאַתָּהat/TAyouתֵדַעte/DAshall knowאֵת־אֲשֶׁר־יַעֲשֶׂהet-a/SHER-ya/a/SEwhat will doעַבְדֶּךָav/DE/khayour servantוַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidאָכִישׁA/KHISHAchishאֶל־דָּוִדel-Da/VIDto Davidלָכֵןla/KHENthereforeשֹׁמֵרsho/MERkeeper ofלְרֹאשִׁיle/ro/SHImy headאֲשִׂימְךָa/si/me/KHAI will make youכׇּל־הַיָּמִים׃kol-hay/ya/MIMall the days

   And David said to Achish, Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do. And Achish said to David, Therefore will I make thee keeper of mine head for ever.

3. 3

   וּשְׁמוּאֵלu/She/mu/ELnow Samuelמֵתmethad diedוַיִּסְפְּדוּ־לוֹvay/yis/pe/DU-loand had mourned for himכׇּל־יִשְׂרָאֵלkol-Yis/ra/ELall Israelוַיִּקְבְּרֻהוּvay/yik/be/RU/huand had buried himבָרָמָהVa/ra/MAin Ramahוּבְעִירוֹu/ve/i/ROhis own cityוְשָׁאוּלve/Sha/ULand Saulהֵסִירhe/SIRhad put awayהָאֹבוֹתha/o/VOTthe mediumsוְאֶת־הַיִּדְּעֹנִיםve/ET-hay/yid/de/o/NIMand the wizardsמֵהָאָרֶץ׃me/ha/A/retsfrom the land

   Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land.

4. 4

   וַיִּקָּבְצוּvay/yik/ka/ve/TSUand gatheredפְלִשְׁתִּיםFe/lish/TIMthe Philistinesוַיָּבֹאוּvay/ya/VO/uand they cameוַיַּחֲנוּvay/ya/cha/NUand encampedבְשׁוּנֵםve/Shu/NEMin Shunemוַיִּקְבֹּץvay/yik/BOTSand gatheredשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulאֶת־כׇּל־יִשְׂרָאֵלet-Kol-yis/ra/ELall Israelוַיַּחֲנוּvay/ya/cha/NUand encampedבַּגִּלְבֹּעַ׃bag/Gil/BO/ain Gilboa

   And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa.

5. 5

   וַיַּרְאvay/YARand sawשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulאֶת־מַחֲנֵהet-ma/cha/NEthe camp ofפְלִשְׁתִּיםFe/lish/TIMthe Philistinesוַיִּרָאvay/yi/RAand he was afraidוַיֶּחֱרַדvay/ye/che/RADand trembledלִבּוֹlib/BOhis heartמְאֹד׃me/ODgreatly

   And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled.

6. 6

   וַיִּשְׁאַלvay/yish/ALand inquiredשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulבַּיהֹוָהba-Adonaiof the LORDוְלֹאve/LObut notעָנָהוּa/NA/huanswered himיְהֹוָהAdonaithe LORDגַּםgameitherבַּחֲלֹמוֹתba/cha/lo/MOTby dreamsגַּםgamorבָּאוּרִיםba/U/RIMby Urimגַּםgamorבַּנְּבִיאִם׃ban/ne/vi/IMby the prophets

   And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.

7. 7

   וַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulלַעֲבָדָיוla/a/va/DAYVto his servantsבַּקְּשׁוּ־לִיbak/ke/SHU-liseek for meאֵשֶׁתE/sheta womanבַּעֲלַת־אוֹבba/a/LAT-ovwho is a mediumוְאֵלְכָהve/el/KHAthat I may goאֵלֶיהָe/LE/hato herוְאֶדְרְשָׁה־בָּהּve/ed/re/SHA-baand inquire of herוַיֹּאמְרוּvay/yo/me/RUand they saidעֲבָדָיוa/va/DAYVhis servantsאֵלָיוe/LAYVto himהִנֵּהhin/NEbeholdאֵשֶׁתE/sheta womanבַּעֲלַת־אוֹבba/a/LAT-ovwho is a mediumבְּעֵיןbe/ENat En-דּוֹר׃dordor

   Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.

8. 8

   וַיִּתְחַפֵּשׂvay/yit/chap/PESand disguised himselfשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulוַיִּלְבַּשׁvay/yil/BASHand put onבְּגָדִיםbe/ga/DIMgarmentsאֲחֵרִיםa/che/RIMotherוַיֵּלֶךְvay/YE/lekhand wentהוּאhuheוּשְׁנֵיu/she/NEand twoאֲנָשִׁיםa/na/SHIMmenעִמּוֹim/MOwith himוַיָּבֹאוּvay/ya/VO/uand they cameאֶל־הָאִשָּׁהel-ha/ish/SHAto the womanלָיְלָהLAY/laby nightוַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand said[קׇסֳמִי־]נָאko/so/MI-nadivine I prayלִיlifor meבָּאוֹבba/OVby the spiritוְהַעֲלִיve/HA/a/liand bring upלִיlifor meאֵת־אֲשֶׁר־אֹמַרet-a/SHER-o/MARwhom I nameאֵלָיִךְ׃e/LA/yikhto you

   And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto thee.

9. 9

   וַתֹּאמֶרvat/TO/merand saidהָאִשָּׁהha/ish/SHAthe womanאֵלָיוe/LAYVto himהִנֵּהhin/NEbeholdאַתָּהat/TAyouיָדַעְתָּya/DA/taknowאֵת־אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂהet-a/SHER-a/SAwhat has doneשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulאֲשֶׁרa/SHERhowהִכְרִיתhikh/RIThas cut offאֶת־הָאֹבוֹתet-ha/o/VOTthe mediumsוְאֶת־הַיִּדְּעֹנִיve/ET-hay/yid/de/o/NIand the wizardsמִן־הָאָרֶץmin-ha/A/retsfrom the landוְלָמָהve/la/MAwhy thenאַתָּהat/TAyouמִתְנַקֵּשׁmit/nak/KESHare laying a snareבְּנַפְשִׁיbe/naf/SHIfor my lifeלַהֲמִיתֵנִי׃la/ha/mi/TE/nito slay me

   And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those that have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land: wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die?

10. 10

    וַיִּשָּׁבַעvay/yish/sha/VAand sworeלָהּlato herשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulבַּיהֹוָהba-Adonaiby the LORDלֵאמֹרle/MORsayingחַי־יְהֹוָהchay-Adonaias the LORD livesאִם־יִקְּרֵךְim-yik/ke/REKHno shall befall youעָוֺןa/VONpunishmentבַּדָּבָרbad/da/VARfor the thingהַזֶּה׃haz/ZEthis

    And Saul sware to her by the LORD, saying, As the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.

11. 11

    וַתֹּאמֶרvat/TO/merand saidהָאִשָּׁהha/ish/SHAthe womanאֶת־מִיet-miwhomאַעֲלֶה־לָּךְa/a/LE-lakhshall I bring up for youוַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidאֶת־שְׁמוּאֵלet-She/mu/ELSamuelהַעֲלִי־לִי׃ha/a/LI-libring up for me

    Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.

12. 12

    וַתֵּרֶאvat/TE/reand sawהָאִשָּׁהha/ish/SHAthe womanאֶת־שְׁמוּאֵלet-She/mu/ELSamuelוַתִּזְעַקvat/tiz/AKshe cried outבְּקוֹלbe/KOLwith a voiceגָּדוֹלga/DOLloudוַתֹּאמֶרvat/TO/merand saidהָאִשָּׁהha/ish/SHAthe womanאֶל־שָׁאוּלel-Sha/ULto Saulלֵאמֹרle/MORsayingלָמָּהLAM/mawhyרִמִּיתָנִיrim/mi/TA/nihave you deceived meוְאַתָּהve/at/TAfor you areשָׁאוּל׃Sha/ULSaul

    And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul.

13. 13

    וַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidלָהּlato herהַמֶּלֶךְham/ME/lekhthe kingאַל־תִּירְאִיal-ti/re/Ido not be afraidכִּיkibutמָהmawhatרָאִיתra/ITdo you seeוַתֹּאמֶרvat/TO/merand saidהָאִשָּׁהha/ish/SHAthe womanאֶל־שָׁאוּלel-Sha/ULto Saulאֱלֹהִיםe/lo/HIMdivine beingsרָאִיתִיra/I/tiI sawעֹלִיםo/LIMcoming upמִן־הָאָרֶץ׃min-ha/A/retsout of the earth

    And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth.

14. 14

    וַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidלָהּlato herמַה־תׇּאֳרוֹma-to/o/ROwhat is his formוַתֹּאמֶרvat/TO/merand saidאִישׁisha manזָקֵןza/KENoldעֹלֶהo/LEis coming upוְהוּאve/HUand heעֹטֶהo/TEis wrapped inמְעִילme/ILa robeוַיֵּדַעvay/YE/daand knewשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulכִּי־שְׁמוּאֵלki-She/mu/ELthat Samuelהוּאhuit wasוַיִּקֹּדvay/yik/KODand bowedאַפַּיִםap/PA/yimwith his faceאַרְצָהAR/tsato the groundוַיִּשְׁתָּחוּ׃vay/yish/TA/chuand prostrated himself

    And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself.

15. 15

    וַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidשְׁמוּאֵלShe/mu/ELSamuelאֶל־שָׁאוּלel-Sha/ULto SaulלָמָּהLAM/mawhyהִרְגַּזְתַּנִיhir/gaz/TA/nidisturbed meלְהַעֲלוֹתle/ha/a/LOTby bringing upאֹתִיo/TImeוַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulצַר־לִיtsar-liI am in distressמְאֹדme/ODgreatlyוּפְלִשְׁתִּיםu/Fe/lish/TIMfor the Philistinesנִלְחָמִיםnil/cha/MIMare fightingבִּיbiagainst meוֵאלֹהִיםve/lo/HIMand Godסָרsarhas departedמֵעָלַיme/a/LAYfrom meוְלֹא־עָנָנִיve/LO-a/NA/niand does not answer meעוֹדodanymoreגַּםgameitherבְּיַד־הַנְּבִיאִיםbe/YAD-han/ne/vi/IMby the prophetsגַּם־בַּחֲלֹמוֹתgam-ba/cha/lo/MOTor by dreamsוָאֶקְרָאֶהva/ek/ra/Eso I have calledלְךָle/KHAyouלְהוֹדִיעֵנִיle/ho/di/E/nithat you may make known to meמָהmawhatאֶעֱשֶׂה׃e/e/SEI shall do

    And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do.

16. 16

    וַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidשְׁמוּאֵלShe/mu/ELSamuelוְלָמָּהve/LAM/mawhy thenתִּשְׁאָלֵנִיtish/a/LE/nido you ask meוַיהֹוָהve-Adonaiseeing the LORDסָרsarhas departedמֵעָלֶיךָme/a/LE/khafrom youוַיְהִיvay/HIand has becomeעָרֶךָ׃a/RE/khayour enemy

    Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?

17. 17

    וַיַּעַשׂvay/YA/asand has doneיְהֹוָהAdonaithe LORDלוֹloto himכַּאֲשֶׁרka/a/SHERasדִּבֶּרdib/BERHe spokeבְּיָדִיbe/ya/DIby my handוַיִּקְרַעvay/yik/RAand has tornיְהֹוָהAdonaithe LORDאֶת־הַמַּמְלָכָהet-ham/mam/la/KHAthe kingdomמִיָּדֶךָmiy/ya/DE/khafrom your handוַיִּתְּנָהּvay/yit/te/NAand given itלְרֵעֲךָle/re/a/KHAto your neighborלְדָוִד׃le/Da/VIDto David

    And the LORD hath done to him, as he spake by me: for the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, even to David:

18. 18

    כַּאֲשֶׁרka/a/SHERbecauseלֹא־שָׁמַעְתָּlo-sha/MA/tayou did not obeyבְּקוֹלbe/KOLthe voice ofיְהֹוָהAdonaithe LORDוְלֹא־עָשִׂיתָve/LO-a/SI/tanor carry outחֲרוֹן־אַפּוֹcha/RON-ap/POHis fierce wrathבַּעֲמָלֵקba/A/ma/LEKagainst Amalekעַל־כֵּןal-kenthereforeהַדָּבָרhad/da/VARthe thingהַזֶּהhaz/ZEthisעָשָׂה־לְךָa/SA-le/KHAhas done to youיְהֹוָהAdonaithe LORDהַיּוֹםhay/YOMdayהַזֶּה׃haz/ZEthis

    Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the LORD, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the LORD done this thing unto thee this day.

19. 19

    וְיִתֵּןve/yit/TENand will deliverיְהֹוָהAdonaithe LORDגַּםgamalsoאֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵלet-Yis/ra/ELIsraelעִמְּךָim/me/KHAwith youבְּיַד־פְּלִשְׁתִּיםbe/YAD-pe/lish/TIMinto the hand of the Philistinesוּמָחָרu/ma/CHARand tomorrowאַתָּהat/TAyouוּבָנֶיךָu/va/NE/khaand your sonsעִמִּיim/MIwith meגַּםgamalsoאֶת־מַחֲנֵהet-ma/cha/NEthe army ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYis/ra/ELIsraelיִתֵּןyit/TENwill deliverיְהֹוָהAdonaithe LORDבְּיַד־פְּלִשְׁתִּים׃be/YAD-pe/lish/TIMinto the hand of the Philistines

    Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.

20. 20

    וַיְמַהֵרvay/ma/HERthen quicklyשָׁאוּלSha/ULSaulוַיִּפֹּלvay/yip/POLfellמְלֹא־קוֹמָתוֹme/LO-ko/ma/TOfull lengthאַרְצָהAR/tsaon the groundוַיִּרָאvay/yi/RAand he was afraidמְאֹדme/ODgreatlyמִדִּבְרֵיmid/div/REbecause of the words ofשְׁמוּאֵלShe/mu/ELSamuelגַּם־כֹּחַgam-KO/achalso strengthלֹא־הָיָהlo-ha/YAthere was noneבוֹvoin himכִּיkiforלֹאlonotאָכַלa/KHALhad he eatenלֶחֶםLE/chemfoodכׇּל־הַיּוֹםkol-hay/YOMall dayוְכׇל־הַלָּיְלָה׃ve/KHOL-hal/LAY/laand all night

    Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night.

21. 21

    וַתָּבוֹאvat/ta/VOand cameהָאִשָּׁהha/ish/SHAthe womanאֶל־שָׁאוּלel-Sha/ULto Saulוַתֵּרֶאvat/TE/reand sawכִּי־נִבְהַלki-niv/HALthat was terrifiedמְאֹדme/ODgreatlyוַתֹּאמֶרvat/TO/merand saidאֵלָיוe/LAYVto himהִנֵּהhin/NEbeholdשָׁמְעָהsha/me/Ahas obeyedשִׁפְחָתְךָshif/cha/te/KHAyour handmaidבְּקוֹלֶךָbe/ko/LE/khato your voiceוָאָשִׂיםva/a/SIMand I have putנַפְשִׁיnaf/SHImy lifeבְּכַפִּיbe/khap/PIin my handוָאֶשְׁמַעva/esh/MAand have obeyedאֶת־דְּבָרֶיךָet-de/va/RE/khayour wordsאֲשֶׁרa/SHERthatדִּבַּרְתָּdib/BAR/tayou have spokenאֵלָי׃e/LAYto me

    And the woman came unto Saul, and saw that he was sore troubled, and said unto him, Behold, thine handmaid hath obeyed thy voice, and I have put my life in my hand, and have hearkened unto thy words which thou spakest unto me.

22. 22

    וְעַתָּהve/at/TAand nowשְׁמַע־נָאshe/MA-nalisten I prayגַם־אַתָּהgam-at/TAyou alsoבְּקוֹלbe/KOLto the voice ofשִׁפְחָתֶךָshif/cha/TE/khayour handmaidוְאָשִׂמָהve/a/SI/maand let me setלְפָנֶיךָle/fa/NE/khabefore youפַּת־לֶחֶםpat-LE/chema morsel of breadוֶאֱכוֹלve/e/KHOLand eatוִיהִיvi/HIthat may beבְךָve/KHAin youכֹּחַKO/achstrengthכִּיkiwhenתֵלֵךְte/LEKHyou goבַּדָּרֶךְ׃bad/DA/rekhon the way

    Now therefore, I pray thee, hearken thou also unto the voice of thine handmaid, and let me set a morsel of bread before thee; and eat, that thou mayest have strength, when thou goest on thy way.

23. 23

    וַיְמָאֵןvay/ma/ENbut he refusedוַיֹּאמֶרvay/YO/merand saidלֹאlonotאֹכַלo/KHALI will eatוַיִּפְרְצוּ־בוֹvay/yif/re/TSU-vobut pressed himעֲבָדָיוa/va/DAYVhis servantsוְגַם־הָאִשָּׁהve/GAM-ha/ish/SHAand the woman alsoוַיִּשְׁמַעvay/yish/MAand he listenedלְקֹלָםle/ko/LAMto their voiceוַיָּקׇםvay/YA/komso he aroseמֵהָאָרֶץme/ha/A/retsfrom the groundוַיֵּשֶׁבvay/YE/shevand satאֶל־הַמִּטָּה׃el-ham/mit/TAon the bed

    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.

24. 24

    וְלָאִשָּׁהve/la/ish/SHAand the woman hadעֵגֶל־מַרְבֵּקE/gel-mar/BEKa fattened calfבַּבַּיִתbab/BA/yitin the houseוַתְּמַהֵרvat/te/ma/HERand she quicklyוַתִּזְבָּחֵהוּvat/tiz/ba/CHE/huslaughtered itוַתִּקַּח־קֶמַחvat/tik/KACH-KE/machand she took flourוַתָּלָשׁvat/TA/lashand kneaded itוַתֹּפֵהוּvat/to/FE/huand baked itמַצּוֹת׃mats/TSOTunleavened bread

    And the woman had a fat calf in the house; and she hasted, and killed it, and took flour, and kneaded it, and did bake unleavened bread thereof:

25. 25

    וַתַּגֵּשׁvat/tag/GESHand she brought itלִפְנֵי־שָׁאוּלlif/NE-Sha/ULbefore Saulוְלִפְנֵיve/lif/NEand beforeעֲבָדָיוa/va/DAYVhis servantsוַיֹּאכֵלוּvay/yo/KHE/luand they ateוַיָּקֻמוּvay/ya/KU/muthen they rose upוַיֵּלְכוּvay/yel/KHUand they wentבַּלַּיְלָהbal/LAY/lain the nightהַהוּא׃ha/HUthat

    And she brought it before Saul, and before his servants; and they did eat. Then they rose up, and went away that night.