New International VersionImmediately 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 Living TranslationSaul 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.
English Standard VersionThen 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.
Berean Standard BibleImmediately Saul fell flat on the ground, terrified by the words of Samuel. And his strength was gone, because he had not eaten anything all that day and night.
King James BibleThen 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 King James VersionImmediately 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 American Standard BibleThen Saul immediately fell full length to the ground and was very afraid because of Samuel’s words; there was no strength in him either, because he had eaten no food all day and all night.
NASB 1995Then Saul immediately fell full length upon the ground and was very afraid because of the words of Samuel; also there was no strength in him, for he had eaten no food all day and all night.
NASB 1977Then Saul immediately fell full length upon the ground and was very afraid because of the words of Samuel; also there was no strength in him, for he had eaten no food all day and all night.
Legacy Standard BibleThen Saul quickly fell full length upon the ground and was very afraid because of the words of Samuel; also there was no strength in him, for he had eaten no food all day and all night.
Amplified BibleThen Saul immediately fell full length on the earth [floor of the medium’s house], and was very afraid because of Samuel’s words; and he was thoroughly exhausted because he had not eaten all day and all night.
Christian Standard BibleImmediately, Saul fell flat on the ground. He was terrified by Samuel’s words and was also weak because he had not eaten anything all day and all night.
Holman Christian Standard BibleImmediately, Saul fell flat on the ground. He was terrified by Samuel’s words and was also weak because he hadn’t had any food all day and all night.
American Standard VersionThen Saul fell straightway his full length upon 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.
Contemporary English VersionAt once, Saul collapsed and lay stretched out on the floor, terrified at what Samuel had said. He was weak because he had not eaten anything since the day before.
English Revised VersionThen Saul fell straightway his full length upon 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.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationImmediately, Saul fell flat on the ground. He was frightened by Samuel's words. He also had no strength left, because he hadn't eaten anything all day or all night.
Good News TranslationAt once Saul fell down and lay stretched out on the ground, terrified by what Samuel had said. He was weak, because he had not eaten anything all day and all night.
International Standard VersionSaul immediately fell down full-length on the ground. He was terrified because of Samuel's words, and he had no strength because he had not eaten food all day and all night.
NET BibleSaul quickly fell full length on the ground and was very afraid because of Samuel's words. He was completely drained of energy, not having eaten anything all that day and night.
New Heart English BibleThen Saul fell immediately his full length on the earth, and was terrified, because of the words of Samuel. There was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night.
Webster's Bible TranslationThen Saul fell immediately all along on the earth, and was exceedingly 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. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleImmediately Saul fell flat on the ground, terrified by the words of Samuel. And his strength was gone, because he had not eaten anything all that day and night.
World English BibleThen Saul fell immediately his full length on the earth, and was terrified, because of Samuel’s words. There was no strength in him, for he had eaten no bread all day long or all night long. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionAnd Saul hurries and falls—the fullness of his stature—to the earth, and fears greatly because of the words of Samuel; also power was not in him, for he had not eaten bread all the day, and all the night.
Young's Literal Translation And Saul hasteth and falleth -- the fulness of his stature -- to the earth, and feareth greatly because of the words of Samuel; also power was not in him, for he had not eaten bread all the day, and all the night.
Smith's Literal TranslationAnd Saul will hasten and fall with the fulness of his stature to the earth, and he will fear greatly from the words of Samuel: also strength was not in him, for he ate not bread all the day and all the night. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd forthwith Saul fell all along on the ground, for he was frightened with the words of Samuel, and there was no strength in him, for he had eaten no bread all that day.
Catholic Public Domain VersionAnd immediately, Saul fell stretched out on the ground. For he was terrified by the words of Samuel. And there was no strength in him. For he had not eaten bread all that day.
New American BibleImmediately Saul fell full length on the ground, in great fear because of Samuel’s message. He had no strength left, since he had eaten nothing all that day and night.
New Revised Standard VersionImmediately Saul fell 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. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThen Saul fell straightway upon his face on the ground, and was exceedingly afraid because of the words of Samuel; and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all that day, nor all that night.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd Saul moved swiftly and fell on his face on the ground and he was very afraid of the words of Shemueil, and no strength was in him, because it was all day and all night that he had not eaten bread OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Then Saul fell straightway his full length upon 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.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationAnd Saul instantly fell at his full length upon the earth, and was greatly afraid because of the words of Samuel; and there was no longer any strength in him, for he had eaten no bread all that day, and all that night.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Saul and the Medium of Endor… 19Moreover, the LORD will deliver Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. And the LORD will deliver the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.” 20ImmediatelySaulfellflaton the ground,terrifiedby the wordsof Samuel.Andhis strengthwasgone,becausehe had noteatenanythingall thatdayandnight.21When the woman came to Saul and saw how distraught he was, she said to him, “Look, your maidservant has obeyed your voice. I took my life in my hands and did as you told me.…
Cross References 1 Samuel 15:26-28“I will not return with you,” Samuel replied. “For you have rejected the word of the LORD, and He has rejected you as king over Israel.” / As Samuel turned to go, Saul grabbed the hem of his robe, and it tore. / So Samuel said to him, “The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to your neighbor who is better than you.
1 Samuel 31:4-5Then Saul said to his armor-bearer, “Draw your sword and run me through with it, or these uncircumcised men will come and run me through and torture me!” But his armor-bearer was terrified and refused to do it. So Saul took his own sword and fell on it. / When his armor-bearer saw that Saul was dead, he too fell on his own sword and died with him.
1 Chronicles 10:13-14So Saul died for his unfaithfulness to the LORD, because he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance, / and he failed to inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.
1 Samuel 15:23For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.”
1 Samuel 13:13-14“You have acted foolishly,” Samuel declared. “You have not kept the command that the LORD your God gave you; if you had, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time. / But now your kingdom will not endure; the LORD has sought a man after His own heart and appointed him ruler over His people, because you have not kept the command of the LORD.”
1 Samuel 16:14Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a spirit of distress from the LORD began to torment him.
1 Samuel 18:12So Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with David but had departed from Saul.
1 Samuel 19:9But as Saul was sitting in his house with his spear in his hand, a spirit of distress from the LORD came upon him. While David was playing the harp,
1 Samuel 28:6He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets.
1 Samuel 28:15Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” “I am deeply distressed,” replied Saul. “The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has turned away from me. He no longer answers me, either by prophets or by dreams. So I have called on you to tell me what to do.”
1 Samuel 28:18Because you did not obey the LORD or carry out His burning anger against Amalek, the LORD has done this to you today.
1 Samuel 30:4So David and the troops with him lifted up their voices and wept until they had no strength left to weep.
2 Samuel 1:6-10“I happened to be on Mount Gilboa,” he replied, “and there was Saul, leaning on his spear, with the chariots and the cavalry closing in on him. / When he turned around and saw me, he called out to me, and I answered, ‘Here I am!’ / ‘Who are you?’ he asked. So I told him, ‘I am an Amalekite.’ ...
Matthew 27:5So Judas threw the silver into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.
Acts 1:18(Now with the reward for his wickedness Judas bought a field; there he fell headlong and burst open in the middle, and all his intestines spilled out.
Treasury of Scripture 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. sore afraid 1 Samuel 28:5 And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled. 1 Samuel 25:37 But it came to pass in the morning, when the wine was gone out of Nabal, and his wife had told him these things, that his heart died within him, and he becameas a stone. Job 15:20-24 The wicked man travaileth with pain allhis days, and the number of years is hidden to the oppressor… Jump to Previous AfraidBreadEarthEatenExceedinglyImmediatelyLengthNightSamuelSaulSoreStraightwayStrengthWordsJump to Next AfraidBreadEarthEatenExceedinglyImmediatelyLengthNightSamuelSaulSoreStraightwayStrengthWords1 Samuel 28 1.Achish puts confidence in David3.Saul having destroyed the witches4.and now in his fear forsaken of God7.has recourse to a witch8.who, encouraged by Saul, raises up Samuel15.Saul hearing his ruin, faints21.The woman and his servants refresh him with meatImmediately Saul fell flat on the groundThis phrase captures the urgency and immediacy of Saul's reaction. Saul's physical collapse reflects his spiritual and emotional state. In biblical context, falling to the ground often signifies despair or submission (e.g., Joshua 7:6). Saul's fall can be seen as a culmination of his disobedience to God, as he had previously been rejected as king ( 1 Samuel 15:26-28). terrified by the words of Samuel
Saul's terror is rooted in the prophecy of his impending defeat and death, as relayed by the spirit of Samuel. This encounter with Samuel, who had been a prophet and judge over Israel, underscores the gravity of Saul's situation. The fear Saul experiences is reminiscent of the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10), yet Saul's fear is devoid of hope due to his estrangement from God. And his strength was gone
Saul's physical weakness mirrors his spiritual depletion. Throughout his reign, Saul's reliance on his own strength rather than God's guidance led to his downfall. This moment highlights the consequences of a life lived apart from divine support, as seen in other biblical figures who faltered when they strayed from God (e.g., Samson inJudges 16:20). because he had not eaten anything all that day and night
Saul's fasting, whether intentional or due to distress, leaves him physically vulnerable. In biblical times, fasting was often associated with mourning or seeking divine intervention (e.g.,Esther 4:16). However, Saul's fast lacks the spiritual focus seen in other scriptural examples, further emphasizing his isolation from God. This detail also foreshadows the physical and spiritual exhaustion that leads to his ultimate demise in battle. Persons / Places / Events 1. SaulThe first king of Israel, who is in a state of desperation and fear after hearing Samuel's prophecy of his impending defeat and death. 2. SamuelThe prophet who, though deceased, is brought up by the medium at Endor to deliver a message from God to Saul. 3. EndorThe location where Saul seeks out a medium to summon the spirit of Samuel, despite having previously banned such practices. 4. The MediumA woman at Endor who practices necromancy, which Saul had outlawed, yet he seeks her out in his desperation. 5. PhilistinesThe enemy nation that Saul is preparing to fight, whose impending battle leads him to seek guidance through forbidden means. Teaching Points The Consequences of DisobedienceSaul's fear and weakness are direct results of his disobedience to God. Disobedience leads to spiritual and physical downfall. The Dangers of DesperationIn his desperation, Saul turns to forbidden practices. Desperation can lead us away from God if we do not remain grounded in faith. The Importance of Spiritual NourishmentSaul's physical weakness mirrors his spiritual state. Regular spiritual nourishment through prayer and scripture is essential. The Role of Fear in Decision-MakingFear can paralyze and lead to poor decisions. Trust in God should guide our actions, not fear. The Finality of God's WordSamuel's message to Saul was final and unchangeable, reminding us of the authority and finality of God's word. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 28:20?
2.How does Saul's fear in 1 Samuel 28:20 reflect his spiritual state?
3.What led to Saul's desperation and disobedience in seeking the medium's counsel?
4.Compare Saul's fear with David's trust in God in the Psalms.
5.How can we avoid Saul's mistakes by seeking God's guidance in difficult times?
6.What does Saul's reaction teach about the consequences of straying from God's will?
7.Why did Saul fall to the ground in 1 Samuel 28:20?
8.How does 1 Samuel 28:20 challenge the concept of divine protection?
9.What does Saul's reaction in 1 Samuel 28:20 reveal about his faith?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 28?
11.Why would God, who had stopped answering Saul (1 Samuel 28:6), allow this forbidden method to convey His message?
12.If necromancy is condemned (Deut. 18:9-12), how can 1 Samuel 28:7-25 portray Saul successfully consulting a medium?
13.How does the narrative explain Samuel's apparent reappearance if 1 Samuel 28:14-20 implies he was genuinely summoned from the dead?
14.How can 1 Samuel 31:4-5 claim Saul died by falling on his own sword if 2 Samuel 1:10 says an Amalekite killed him?What Does 1 Samuel 28:20 Mean Immediately“Immediately Saul fell flat on the ground…” (1 Samuel 28:20) • The moment Samuel’s judgment reached Saul’s ears (vv. 18-19), he reacted without delay. Just as judgment came swiftly when Saul first disobeyed (1 Samuel 15:26-28), here the consequence is equally sudden. • Scripture often notes an instant response to divine or prophetic words—think of David when Nathan confronted him (2 Samuel 12:13) or Nineveh when Jonah preached (Jonah 3:5). God’s Word pierces without lag time (Hebrews 4:12).
Saul fell flat on the ground• Falling prostrate is the traditional posture of utter submission and fear: Joshua did it at Ai (Joshua 7:6) and Ezekiel before God’s glory (Ezekiel 1:28). • This collapse shows Saul’s recognition that the verdict is final; there’s no more bargaining, no more delay—much like John who “fell at His feet as though dead” before the risen Christ (Revelation 1:17). • Saul had bowed before Samuel once before when begging pardon (1 Samuel 15:30). Now he bows again, but it is too late for repentance; the prophetic sentence has been sealed.
terrified by the words of Samuel• Samuel’s message was stark: the kingdom removed, Saul and his sons to die the next day (28:17-19). No wonder “terror” seized him. • Fear grips those who know judgment is coming (Hebrews 10:31). Contrast Jonathan, who trusted the LORD (1 Samuel 14:6), with Saul, whose earlier courage evaporated into dread. • The scene echoes how Felix trembled when Paul spoke of judgment (Acts 24:25); hearing truth without surrender produces terror, not peace.
And his strength was gone• Spiritual collapse often drains physical vigor. Samson experienced it when the LORD departed (Judges 16:20, 30). • Saul’s inner emptiness—estranged from God, cut off from Samuel, abandoned by prophetic guidance (28:6)—leaves him powerless. David once said, “My strength fails because of my affliction” (Psalm 31:10); Saul embodies that decline. • The narrative contrasts earlier days: Saul once “stood head and shoulders above all” (1 Samuel 10:23), but disobedience has hollowed him out.
because he had not eaten anything all that day and night• His long fast was self-induced; anxiety drove him. Similar grief-fasts appear when Israel mourned Saul’s death (2 Samuel 1:12) or Ahab sulked over Naboth’s vineyard (1 Kings 21:4). • Earlier, Saul’s rash oath kept his army from food (1 Samuel 14:24). Now his own body suffers from that same neglect. • Physical weakness mirrors spiritual starvation; he had feasted on fear instead of trusting the LORD, unlike Jesus who reminded that “man shall not live on bread alone” (Matthew 4:4).
summary1 Samuel 28:20 captures the tragic climax of Saul’s decline: an immediate, total collapse driven by terror at God’s irrevocable word, compounded by the physical toll of prolonged neglect. His fallen posture, drained strength, and empty stomach symbolize a life that once held promise but now lies bankrupt because it ignored the LORD’s voice. The verse warns that disobedience ultimately strips courage, vitality, and hope, while affirming that God’s pronouncements stand firm—instantly, completely, and unavoidably. (20) Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth.--Up to this period we must understand Saul listening to the prophet's words in that attitude of humble reverence which he assumed when he perceived that he was in the presence of Samuel ( 1Samuel 28:14); but now, on hearing the words of awful judgment, crushed with terror and dismay, and previously weakened by a long fast and the fatigue of the rough night walk from Mount Gilboa to En-dor, he fell prostrate to the earth. Verses 20-25. - Saul fell straightway all along,i.e. at full length, on the earth. He fainted, partly from mental distress, partly from bodily exhaustion, as he had gone all the day and all the night without food. It was this long continued violent emotion of feeling which had driven Saul to this rash enterprise; but fasting and agony of mind were the worst possible preparation for a visit to one used to cajole her victims by pretended magical arts, and gifted, as people of her class usually are, with great shrewdness. But practised as she was in deceit, yet even in her triumph over her enemy she felt, when she saw him swoon away, a natural sympathy for his misery and weakness, and urged him to take food. Perhaps she saw that without it he could never have got back to the Israelite camp. At first he refused, but the necessity of it was so plain, that when the two men with him also urged it, he at last consented. So he arose from the earth, and sat upon the bed. During this colloquy he had remained prostrate upon the ground, but now he seated himself, not on a bed, but upon the raised bank, or divan, which runs along the wall of an Oriental house, and is furnished with carpets and cushions for men to sit or lie upon. There he rested, a prey, we may well believe, to bitter thoughts, while the woman hastily prepared a meal, killing a calf and baking unleavened cakes, as there was no time to leaven the dough. And so "they ate, and rose up, and departed that night."
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Immediatelyוַיְמַהֵ֣ר(way·ma·hêr)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Piel - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4116:To be liquid, flow easily, to hurry, promptlySaulשָׁא֗וּל(šā·’ūl)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 7586:Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelitesfellוַיִּפֹּ֤ל(way·yip·pōl)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5307:To fall, lieflatמְלֹא־(mə·lō-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4393:Fullness, that which fillson the ground,אַ֔רְצָה(’ar·ṣāh)Noun - feminine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 776:Earth, landterrifiedוַיִּרָ֥א(way·yi·rā)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3372:To fear, to revere, caus, to frightenby the wordsמִדִּבְרֵ֣י(mid·diḇ·rê)Preposition-m | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1697:A word, a matter, thing, a causeof Samuel.שְׁמוּאֵ֑ל(šə·mū·’êl)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8050:Samuel -- 'name of God', a prophet of IsraelAndגַּם־(gam-)Conjunction
Strong's 1571:Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, andhis strengthכֹּ֙חַ֙(kō·aḥ)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3581:A small reptile (of unknown species)wasהָ֣יָה(hā·yāh)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, begone,לֹא־(lō-)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, nobecauseכִּ֣י(kî)Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunctionhe had notלֹ֤א(lō)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, noeatenאָכַל֙(’ā·ḵal)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 398:To eatanythingלֶ֔חֶם(le·ḥem)Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3899:Food, bread, grainall thatכָּל־(kāl-)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everydayהַיּ֖וֹם(hay·yō·wm)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117:A dayandוְכָל־(wə·ḵāl)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605:The whole, all, any, everynight.הַלָּֽיְלָה׃(hal·lā·yə·lāh)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3915:A twist, night, adversity
Links 1 Samuel 28:20 NIV1 Samuel 28:20 NLT1 Samuel 28:20 ESV1 Samuel 28:20 NASB1 Samuel 28:20 KJV
1 Samuel 28:20 BibleApps.com1 Samuel 28:20 Biblia Paralela1 Samuel 28:20 Chinese Bible1 Samuel 28:20 French Bible1 Samuel 28:20 Catholic Bible
OT History: 1 Samuel 28:20 Then Saul fell immediately his full length (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) |
