English Standard Version
1 Samuel 28:20
20Then Saul fell at once full length on the ground, filled with fear because of the words of Samuel. And there was no strength in him, for he had eaten nothing all day and all night.
1 Samuel 28:20 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)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.
- New International Version (NIV)Immediately Saul fell full length on the ground, filled with fear because of Samuel’s words. His strength was gone, for he had eaten nothing all that day and all that night.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Immediately Saul fell full length on the ground, and was dreadfully afraid because of the words of Samuel. And there was no strength in him, for he had eaten no food all day or all night.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Saul fell full length on the ground, paralyzed with fright because of Samuel’s words. He was also faint with hunger, for he had eaten nothing all day and all night.
Context of 1 Samuel 28:20
18Because you did not obey the voice of the Lord and did not carry out his fierce wrath against Amalek, therefore the Lord has done this thing to you this day. 19Moreover, the Lord will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me. The Lord will give the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines." Then Saul fell at once full length on the ground, filled with fear because of the words of Samuel. And there was no strength in him, for he had eaten nothing all day and all night. 21And the woman came to Saul, and when she saw that he was terrified, she said to him, "Behold, your servant has obeyed you. I have taken my life in my hand and have listened to what you have said to me. 22Now therefore, you also obey your servant. Let me set a morsel of bread before you; and eat, that you may have strength when you go on your way."
Read all of 1 Samuel 281 Samuel 28:20 word by word
וַיְמַהֵ֣ר שָׁא֗וּל וַיִּפֹּ֤ל מְלֹא־קֽוֹמָתוֹ֙ אַ֔רְצָה וַיִּרָ֥א מְאֹ֖ד מִדִּבְרֵ֣י שְׁמוּאֵ֑ל גַּם־כֹּ֙חַ֙ לֹא־הָ֣יָה ב֔וֹ כִּ֣י לֹ֤א אָכַל֙ לֶ֔חֶם כָּל־הַיּ֖וֹם וְכָל־הַלָּֽיְלָה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- Then Saulשָׁאוּלshâ'ûl · SaulH7586
- fellנָפַלnâphal · to fall: fallH5307
- straightwayמָהַרmâhar · to hastenH4116
- allמְלֹאmelô' melô' melô · fullnessH4393
- alongקוֹמָהqômâh · heightH6967
- on the earthאֶ֫רֶץ'erets · land: soilH776
- and was soreמְאֹדme'ôd · muchH3966
- afraidיָרֵאyârê' · to fearH3372
- because of the wordsדָּבָרdâbâr · wordH1697
- of Samuelשְׁמוּאֵלshemû'êl · SamuelH8050
- and there was no strengthכֹּחַkôach kôach · strengthH3581
- in him; for he had eatenאָכַל'âkal · to eatH398
- no breadלֶ֫חֶםlechem · foodH3899
- all the dayיוֹםyôm · dayH3117
- nor all the nightלַ֫יְלָהlayil lêyl layelâh · nightH3915
Cross-references for 1 Samuel 28:20
- 1 Samuel 28:5When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly.
- 1 Samuel 25:37In the morning, when the wine had gone out of Nabal, his wife told him these things, and his heart died within him, and he became as a stone.
- Job 15:20The wicked man writhes in pain all his days, through all the years that are laid up for the ruthless.
- Job 26:2"How you have helped him who has no power! How you have saved the arm that has no strength!
- Psalms 50:21These things you have done, and I have been silent; you thought that I was one like yourself. But now I rebuke you and lay the charge before you.
Commentaries on 1 Samuel 28:20
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth - Literally, he fell with his own length, or with the fullness of his stature. He was so overwhelmed with this most dreadful message, that he swooned away, and thus fell at his own length upon the ground. The woman, being terrified, had probably withdrawn to some distance at the first appearance of the prophet; and Saul was left alone with Samuel. After some short time, the woman came again unto Saul…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 20-25Verses 20-25 Those that expect any good counsel or comfort, otherwise than from God, and in the way of his institutions, will be as wretchedly disappointed as Saul. Though terrified even to despair, he was not humbled. He confessed not his sins, offered no sacrifices, and presented no supplications. He does not seem to have cared about his sons or his people, or to have attempted any escape; but in sullen despair he rushed upon his doom. God sets up a few…Read the comment
Topics related to 1 Samuel 28:20
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 1 Samuel 28
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries