He has done exactly what He spoke through me:This phrase refers to the fulfillment of God's prophecy delivered through the prophet Samuel. In
1 Samuel 15:28, Samuel had previously told Saul that the kingdom would be torn from him due to his disobedience. This highlights the theme of divine sovereignty and the certainty of God's word. The role of prophets in Israel was to communicate God's will, and their words were seen as authoritative and binding.
The LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand:
The imagery of tearing signifies a violent and irreversible action, emphasizing the seriousness of Saul's disobedience. This echoes the earlier incident in1 Samuel 15:27-28, where Saul's robe was torn, symbolizing the kingdom being taken from him. The kingdom of Israel was a theocracy, and Saul's failure to obey God led to his rejection as king. This act of tearing also reflects the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, where obedience was required for blessing.
and given it to your neighbor David:
David, referred to as Saul's "neighbor," was chosen by God to be the next king of Israel. This choice was made in1 Samuel 16 when David was anointed by Samuel. The term "neighbor" signifies proximity and relationship, indicating that David was already within Saul's sphere, serving in his court. David is a type of Christ, as he is a shepherd-king who foreshadows Jesus, the Good Shepherd and King of Kings. The transfer of kingship to David also fulfills God's promise to establish a lasting dynasty through him, as seen in2 Samuel 7:12-16.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
The LORDThe sovereign God of Israel, who communicates His will and executes His judgment.
2.
SamuelThe prophet who, even after his death, delivers God's message to Saul through the medium at Endor.
3.
SaulThe first king of Israel, who is facing the consequences of his disobedience to God.
4.
DavidThe neighbor to whom God has given the kingdom, anointed by Samuel as the future king of Israel.
5.
EndorThe location where Saul seeks out a medium to communicate with the deceased Samuel.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty and FaithfulnessGod's plans and purposes will be fulfilled regardless of human actions. His word, once spoken, will come to pass.
Consequences of DisobedienceSaul's loss of the kingdom is a direct result of his disobedience to God's commands. This serves as a warning about the seriousness of sin and rebellion against God.
The Role of ProphetsProphets like Samuel are God's messengers, and their words carry divine authority. We should heed the messages of God's Word as delivered through His prophets.
God's Choice and AnointingDavid's anointing as king demonstrates that God chooses leaders based on His criteria, not human standards. We should seek to align our lives with God's purposes.
Seeking God, Not AlternativesSaul's decision to consult a medium highlights the danger of seeking guidance outside of God's provision. We should rely on God and His Word for direction.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 28:17?
2.How does 1 Samuel 28:17 demonstrate God's sovereignty over Israel's leadership changes?
3.What lessons can we learn from Saul's disobedience in 1 Samuel 28:17?
4.How does 1 Samuel 28:17 connect with God's promises to David in 1 Samuel?
5.How can we apply the consequences of Saul's actions to our own lives?
6.What does 1 Samuel 28:17 teach about the importance of obeying God's commands?
7.How does 1 Samuel 28:17 align with God's sovereignty and justice?
8.Why did God allow Saul to be rejected as king in 1 Samuel 28:17?
9.What does 1 Samuel 28:17 reveal about God's fulfillment of prophecy?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 28?
11.Is there any inconsistency between 2 Samuel 17's account of David's escape and the details in 1 Chronicles, or do the narratives fully align when examined closely?
12.What laws should govern the actions of kings?
13.If necromancy is condemned (Deut. 18:9–12), how can 1 Samuel 28:7–25 portray Saul successfully consulting a medium?
14.Why would God, who had stopped answering Saul (1 Samuel 28:6), allow this forbidden method to convey His message?What Does 1 Samuel 28:17 Mean
He has done exactly what He spoke through me• This statement recalls Samuel’s earlier messages to Saul (1 Samuel 13:13-14; 15:23-29). God’s word, once given, never fails (Joshua 21:45;Isaiah 55:10-11).
• The medium at Endor has become an unwitting conduit for Samuel’s unchanging prophecy—underscoring that even in a setting Saul never should have entered (Deuteronomy 18:10-12), the Lord’s pronouncement stands firm.
• Saul is reminded that disobedience does not cancel God’s promises or warnings. He hears again what he once ignored: “To obey is better than sacrifice” (1 Samuel 15:22-23).
The LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand• “Torn” pictures decisive, irreversible judgment, echoing the moment Samuel tore Saul’s robe (1 Samuel 15:27-28).
• God Himself—not political rivals or military failures—removes Saul. His sovereignty is absolute (Daniel 2:21;Psalm 75:6-7).
• The tragedy: Saul’s loss is self-inflicted. Persistent rebellion (1 Samuel 15:11; 28:6) forfeits the privilege God once bestowed (1 Samuel 9:16-17).
and given it to your neighbor David• “Neighbor” points to David, already anointed in secret (1 Samuel 16:1-13) and increasingly recognized publicly (1 Samuel 18:16; 23:17).
• God’s transfer of authority highlights His positive purpose—even judgment makes way for a man after His own heart (Acts 13:22).
• The shift anticipates Christ, the ultimate Shepherd-King from David’s line (2 Samuel 7:12-16;Luke 1:32-33).
summary1 Samuel 28:17 confirms that God faithfully carries out His spoken word. Saul’s kingdom is torn away because he rejected divine instruction; David receives it because God exalts the humble. The verse warns against stubborn disobedience and reassures us that the Lord’s purposes stand, securing hope for all who yield to His reign.
(17)
And the Lord hath done to him.--Render, as in margin of the English Version,
the Lord hath done or performed for Himself.The LXX. and Vulg. here needlessly change the text into, "the Lord hath done
to thee."
And given it to thy neighbour . . . David.--Anevilspirit personating Samuel would not have spoken thus; he would not have wished to help David, "the man after God's own heart," to the throne of Israel; nor would an evil spirit have spoken in such solemn terms of the punishment due to rebellion against God.--Bishop Wordsworth,who argues against the supposition that the shade of Samuel was an evil spirit.
Verses 17-19. -
Jehovah hath done to him. Rather, "hath wrought for himself;" but the LXX., Vulgate, and some MSS. read "hath done
to thee," as in ver. 18.
As he spake by me. See
1 Samuel 15:28. Saul's rebellion is there said, in ver. 23, to be a crime as great as the witchcraft which he was at that time so zealously punishing; here, where the sentence is being carried into execution, Saul has himself become guilty of what in his better hours he so abominated.
Jehovah will also deliver Israel with thee. Rather, "will deliver Israel also with thee,"
i.e. the nation is to share thy punishment.
Tomorrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me.I.e. shall be dead. Whence this voice came it is difficult to say. St. Augustine thought that the woman really conjured up a demon, who took the form of Samuel. Maimonides treats the whole as the effect of Saul's diseased imagination; while many modern commentators regard it as a well played piece of jugglery on the part of the woman, who recognised Saul at once on his entrance, but professed not to know him till his name was revealed to her by the pretended apparition, in whose name she reproached him for his crimes, announced to him, what now all were convinced of, that David was to be his successor, and foretold his defeat and death. In the face of such a passage as
Deuteronomy 18:10-12 we cannot believe that the Bible would set before us an instance of witchcraft employed with the Divine sanction for holy purposes; but we can easily believe that the woman would gladly take a bitter revenge on the man who had cruelly put to death all persons reputed to have such powers as those to which she laid claim. The object of the narrative is plainly to set before us the completeness of Saul's moral downfall and debasement. Here is the man endowed with so many and so great gifts of genius, and who in so many things started so well and behaved so nobly, the victim of a despairing melancholy; his conscience is blackened with the wholesale massacre of the priesthood, his imagination is ever brooding over the sick fancy of treason plotted by his son-in-law, whom now he supposes to be in the Philistine camp; his enemies have invaded his territory in extraordinary numbers and upon new ground; to him it seems as if they have come to dethrone him and place his crown on David's head. In this dire extremity his one wish is to pry into futurity and learn his fate. There is no submission to God, no sorrow for disobedience, no sign of even a wish for amendment; it is to unholy arts that he looks, simply that he may know what a few more hours will make known to all. Neglecting his duties as a general and king, instead of making wise preparation for the coming fight, he disguises himself, takes a dangerous and wearisome journey round the enemies' camp, arrives at his destination by night, and, exhausted with hunger and mental agitation, seeks there for the knowledge unattainable in any upright manner from a reputed witch. He has rejected God, lost all the strength and comfort of true religion, and is become the victim of abject superstition. Whether he were the victim also of the woman's arts, or of his own sick fantasy, is not a matter of much consequence; the interest of the narrative lies in the revelation it makes to us of Saul's mental and moral state; and scarcely is there in the whole of Scripture anything more tragic than this narrative, or any more intense picture of the depth of degradation to which a noble but perverse intellect is capable of falling.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
[He]יְהוָה֙(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelhas doneוַיַּ֤עַשׂ(way·ya·‘aś)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213:To do, makeexactly whatכַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר(ka·’ă·šer)Preposition-k | Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834:Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order thatHe spokeדִּבֶּ֣ר(dib·ber)Verb - Piel - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1696:To arrange, to speak, to subduethrough me:בְּיָדִ֑י(bə·yā·ḏî)Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3027:A handThe LORDיְהוָ֤ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelhas tornוַיִּקְרַ֨ע(way·yiq·ra‘)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7167:To rendthe kingshipהַמַּמְלָכָה֙(ham·mam·lā·ḵāh)Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4467:Kingdom, sovereignty, dominion, reignout of your handמִיָּדֶ֔ךָ(mî·yā·ḏe·ḵā)Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3027:A handand given itוַֽיִּתְּנָ֖הּ(way·yit·tə·nāh)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 5414:To give, put, setto your neighborלְרֵעֲךָ֥(lə·rê·‘ă·ḵā)Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 7453:Friend, companion, fellowDavid.לְדָוִֽד׃(lə·ḏā·wiḏ)Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732:David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse
Links
1 Samuel 28:17 NIV1 Samuel 28:17 NLT1 Samuel 28:17 ESV1 Samuel 28:17 NASB1 Samuel 28:17 KJV
1 Samuel 28:17 BibleApps.com1 Samuel 28:17 Biblia Paralela1 Samuel 28:17 Chinese Bible1 Samuel 28:17 French Bible1 Samuel 28:17 Catholic Bible
OT History: 1 Samuel 28:17 Yahweh has done to you as he (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) 
