1 Samuel 28:23 – “He refused and said, ‘I will not eat.’ But his men joined the woman in urging him, and he listened to them. He got up from the ground and sat on the couch.”
Extended Explanation
In this verse, Saul, after hearing Samuel’s prophecy of his imminent defeat and death, refuses to eat. He is overwhelmed by fear, exhaustion, and despair, having fasted all day and night before receiving the devastating news from Samuel. His refusal to eat is a reflection of his deep emotional and spiritual collapse. However, his men and the medium plead with him, urging him to take some food. Eventually, Saul listens to their pleas and rises from the ground to sit on the couch, signaling a momentary recovery of strength to face what lies ahead. Saul’s willingness to finally eat shows a temporary physical restoration but doesn’t address the underlying spiritual crisis he is enduring.
Historical Context
By the time we reach this point in 1 Samuel 28, Saul is nearing the end of his reign and life. He has been rejected by God due to his disobedience and failure to carry out God’s instructions regarding the Amalekites (1 Samuel 15). Desperate for guidance, Saul resorts to seeking out a medium, despite having previously banned such practices in Israel. After hearing from Samuel’s spirit that both he and his sons will die the next day in battle, Saul is left utterly hopeless. His refusal to eat may have been an expression of despair, knowing his fate was sealed. However, his men and the medium show concern for his physical state, urging him to eat to regain some strength for what lies ahead.
Theological Implications
Theologically, this verse highlights the human response to hopelessness and despair when disconnected from God. Saul’s refusal to eat represents his spiritual defeat; he feels abandoned by God and resigned to his fate. His physical hunger mirrors his spiritual emptiness. The fact that Saul eventually listens to his men and eats, despite his earlier refusal, shows that even in moments of deep despair, human relationships and community can play a role in providing temporary comfort and strength. However, without a restored relationship with God, physical restoration alone is not enough to bring true healing or hope.
Literary Analysis
This verse serves as a transitional moment in the narrative. Saul’s initial refusal to eat emphasizes his emotional and physical exhaustion, reinforcing the gravity of Samuel’s prophecy. The act of his men and the medium pleading with him, and his eventual decision to rise and eat, creates a brief pause in the downward spiral of the story. The image of Saul sitting on the couch after being prostrate on the ground suggests a temporary recovery of physical strength but leaves the reader with a sense of impending doom. The contrast between Saul’s external recovery and his internal despair is striking, highlighting the inevitability of the tragic outcome foretold by Samuel.
Biblical Cross-References
- 1 Kings 19:5-8: The prophet Elijah, after fleeing in fear, is encouraged by an angel to eat for strength, similar to how Saul is urged to eat after his collapse.
- Psalm 23:5: A reminder that God prepares a table for His people, offering nourishment and strength, contrasting Saul’s current spiritual emptiness.
- Matthew 4:4: Jesus’ reminder that man does not live by bread alone, pointing to the deeper spiritual sustenance that Saul lacks in this moment.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse offers a reminder of the importance of balancing physical and spiritual care. Saul’s refusal to eat reflects his deeper spiritual crisis—he is physically weak but, more importantly, spiritually disconnected from God. The encouragement from his men and the medium to eat represents a human attempt to help someone in need, yet it also highlights the limitations of physical sustenance when the real issue is spiritual. As Christians, we are called to care for both physical and spiritual needs, recognizing that true strength and hope come from a relationship with God. Saul’s story reminds us that addressing only physical needs without seeking spiritual renewal leaves us vulnerable and incomplete.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
Even in Saul’s moment of despair and disconnection from God, this verse reveals a glimmer of human care and compassion. God’s love is reflected in the concern shown by Saul’s men and the medium, who encourage him to eat and regain strength. While God’s judgment on Saul is evident, His love is still present through the actions of those around Saul. This verse also serves as a reminder that God’s desire is for His people to seek Him for strength and restoration. Saul’s failure to do so highlights the consequences of ignoring God’s love and guidance, but it also underscores the ever-present opportunity to turn back to God.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
This verse points to the deeper need for spiritual sustenance that only Jesus Christ can provide. While Saul is encouraged to eat for physical strength, Jesus offers the “bread of life” (John 6:35) that satisfies our deepest spiritual hunger. Where Saul’s strength was restored temporarily by food, Jesus provides eternal nourishment and life. Saul’s collapse reflects the hopelessness of life without a connection to God, while Jesus offers the way to true restoration and hope through His sacrifice and resurrection. Jesus’ role as the source of spiritual strength contrasts with Saul’s reliance on temporary, earthly solutions.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- In what ways are you tempted to focus on physical or temporary solutions to your problems, rather than seeking spiritual renewal from God?
- How can Saul’s story encourage you to turn to God in moments of despair, rather than relying solely on human strength or advice?
- How does Jesus’ offer of being the “bread of life” change the way you approach challenges in life, knowing that He provides lasting strength and hope?