Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets. New Living Translation He asked the LORD what he should do, but the LORD refused to answer him, either by dreams or by sacred lots or by the prophets. English Standard Version And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets. Berean Standard Bible He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets. King James Bible And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets. New King James Version And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by the prophets. New American Standard Bible So Saul inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him, either in dreams, or by the Urim, or by the prophets. NASB 1995 When Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by prophets. NASB 1977 When Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by prophets. Legacy Standard Bible So Saul asked of Yahweh, but Yahweh did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by prophets. Amplified Bible So Saul inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim [used like lots by the priest to determine the will of God] or by prophets. Christian Standard Bible He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him in dreams or by the Urim or by the prophets. Holman Christian Standard Bible He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him in dreams or by the Urim or by the prophets. American Standard Version And when Saul inquired of Jehovah, Jehovah answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets. Contemporary English Version So he asked the LORD what to do. But the LORD would not answer, either in a dream or by a priest or a prophet. English Revised Version And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets. GOD'S WORD® Translation He prayed to the LORD, but the LORD didn't answer him through dreams, the Urim, or prophets. Good News Translation and so he asked the LORD what to do. But the LORD did not answer him at all, either by dreams or by the use of Urim and Thummim or by prophets. International Standard Version Saul inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him, either through dreams or Urim or through prophets. Majority Standard Bible He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets. NET Bible So Saul inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him--not by dreams nor by Urim nor by the prophets. New Heart English Bible When Saul inquired of the LORD, The LORD did not answer him, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets. Webster's Bible Translation And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets. World English Bible When Saul inquired of Yahweh, Yahweh didn’t answer him by dreams, by Urim, or by prophets. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand Saul inquires of YHWH, and YHWH has not answered him, either by the dreams, or by the Lights, or by the prophets. Young's Literal Translation and Saul asketh at Jehovah, and Jehovah hath not answered him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets. Smith's Literal Translation And Saul will ask through Jehovah, and Jehovah answered him not, also in dreams, also in Lights, also in the prophets. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he consulted the Lord, and he answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by priests, nor by prophets. Catholic Public Domain Version And he consulted the Lord. But he did not respond to him, neither by dreams, nor by priests, nor by prophets. New American Bible He consulted the LORD; but the LORD gave no answer, neither in dreams nor by Urim nor through prophets. New Revised Standard Version When Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, not by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd when Saul inquired of the LORD, he did not answer him, either by dreams or by fire or by prophets. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And he inquired of LORD JEHOVAH, and he did not answer him, neither in a dream, neither in fire, neither by a Prophet OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets. Brenton Septuagint Translation And Saul enquired of the Lord; and the Lord answered him not by dreams, nor by manifestations, nor by prophets. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Philistines Gather Against Israel…5When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid and trembled violently. 6He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets. Cross References 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 So 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. Proverbs 1:28 Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will earnestly seek me, but will not find me. Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear. Ezekiel 20:3 “Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel and tell them that this is what the Lord GOD says: Have you come to inquire of Me? As surely as I live, I will not be consulted by you, declares the Lord GOD. Psalm 66:18 If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. James 1:5-7 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. / But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. / That man should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Matthew 7:7-8 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Isaiah 1:15 When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood. Jeremiah 11:11 Therefore this is what the LORD says: ‘I am about to bring upon them a disaster that they cannot escape. They will cry out to Me, but I will not listen to them. Micah 3:4 Then they will cry out to the LORD, but He will not answer them. At that time He will hide His face from them because of the evil they have done. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery, / casts spells, consults a medium or spiritist, or inquires of the dead. / For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD. And because of these detestable things, the LORD your God is driving out the nations before you. Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God. For anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. John 9:31 We know that God does not listen to sinners, but He does listen to the one who worships Him and does His will. Proverbs 15:29 The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous. Isaiah 8:19 When men tell you to consult mediums and spiritists who whisper and mutter, shouldn’t a people consult their God instead? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? Treasury of Scripture And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets. enquired 1 Samuel 14:37 1 Chronicles 10:14 Proverbs 1:27,28 by dreams Genesis 28:12-15 Genesis 46:2-4 Numbers 12:6 by Urim Exodus 28:20 Numbers 27:21 Deuteronomy 33:8 by prophets Psalm 74:9 Lamentations 2:9 Ezekiel 20:3 Jump to Previous Directions Dream Dreams Either Inquired Prophets Saul UrimJump to Next Directions Dream Dreams Either Inquired Prophets Saul Urim1 Samuel 28 1. Achish puts confidence in David3. Saul having destroyed the witches 4. and now in his fear forsaken of God 7. has recourse to a witch 8. who, encouraged by Saul, raises up Samuel 15. Saul hearing his ruin, faints 21. The woman and his servants refresh him with meat He inquired of the LORD In the context of 1 Samuel 28, Saul is facing a dire situation with the Philistines, and he seeks guidance from God. This reflects a common practice in ancient Israel where leaders and individuals sought divine direction. However, Saul's inquiry is marked by desperation rather than genuine faith, as his previous disobedience and rejection of God's commands have led to his current predicament. This highlights the importance of a consistent relationship with God rather than seeking Him only in times of crisis. but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets Persons / Places / Events 1. SaulThe first king of Israel, who is seeking guidance from the Lord but receives no answer. His reign is marked by disobedience and a gradual departure from God's favor. 2. The LORD The God of Israel, who is silent in response to Saul's inquiries due to Saul's previous disobedience and rejection of God's commands. 3. Dreams, Urim, Prophets The traditional means by which God communicated with His people. Dreams were often used by God to reveal His will, the Urim (part of the high priest's breastplate) was used for divination, and prophets were God's messengers. 4. Endor The location Saul visits after this verse, seeking a medium, which further demonstrates his desperation and departure from God's ways. 5. Samuel The prophet who had previously anointed Saul and served as a spiritual guide for Israel. His death left Saul without a direct prophetic voice. Teaching Points The Consequences of DisobedienceSaul's inability to hear from God is a direct result of his disobedience. This serves as a warning that persistent sin can lead to spiritual silence. The Importance of Seeking God Early Saul's desperation highlights the importance of maintaining a consistent relationship with God, rather than seeking Him only in times of crisis. God's Faithfulness to His Word Despite Saul's failure, God's silence is consistent with His character and His previous warnings. God remains faithful to His word, even when it involves judgment. The Dangers of Desperation Saul's subsequent actions show how desperation can lead to further sin. Believers are encouraged to trust in God's timing and remain faithful, even when answers are delayed. The Role of Prophets and Scripture In the absence of direct revelation, believers today have the completed canon of Scripture and the Holy Spirit to guide them, emphasizing the importance of regular Bible study and prayer.(6) And when Saul enquired of the Lord.----The question has been asked, How was the enquiry made? for since the massacre at Nob, the high priest, or, at least, the priest in possession of the sacred ephod and the breastplate, with the Urim and Thummim, was, we know, in the camp of David, and we shall soon hear of a solemn use being made of the sacred gems. (See 1Samuel 30:7-8.) It has been suggested by eminent Biblical scholars that after the murder of Ahimelech and the flight of Abiathar to David, Saul removed the national Sanctuary from desecrated Nob, and established it at Gibeon, where, during the first year of David's reign, we find the Tabernacle, with Zadok, son of Ahitub, of the house of Eleazar, acting as high priest--probably placed in that office by Saul. This would account for the frequent reference in the time of David to two high priests, Zadok and Abiathar: Zadok, the high priest appointed by Saul, for a considerable period alone in charge of the Tabernacle; and Abiathar, who fled from Nob with the ephod and the sacred Urim, acknowledged by David as high priest, when the kingdom was restored eventually under one head. These two seemed to have divided the honours and responsibilities of the high priesthood. (See 2Samuel 8:17; 2Samuel 15:24; 2Samuel 15:29; 2Samuel 15:35; 1Chronicles 15:11; 1Chronicles 18:16.) . . . Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew He inquiredוַיִּשְׁאַ֤ל (way·yiš·’al) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7592: To inquire, to request, to demand of the LORD, בַּֽיהוָ֔ה (Yah·weh) Preposition-b | Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel but the LORD יְהוָ֑ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel did not וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no answer him עָנָ֖הוּ (‘ā·nā·hū) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular | third person masculine singular Strong's 6030: To answer, respond by dreams בַּחֲלֹמ֛וֹת (ba·ḥă·lō·mō·wṯ) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 2472: A dream or גַּ֧ם (gam) Conjunction Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and Urim בָּאוּרִ֖ים (bā·’ū·rîm) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 224: Part of the high priest's breastplate or גַּ֥ם (gam) Conjunction Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and prophets. בַּנְּבִיאִֽם׃ (ban·nə·ḇî·’im) Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 5030: A spokesman, speaker, prophet Links 1 Samuel 28:6 NIV1 Samuel 28:6 NLT 1 Samuel 28:6 ESV 1 Samuel 28:6 NASB 1 Samuel 28:6 KJV 1 Samuel 28:6 BibleApps.com 1 Samuel 28:6 Biblia Paralela 1 Samuel 28:6 Chinese Bible 1 Samuel 28:6 French Bible 1 Samuel 28:6 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Samuel 28:6 When Saul inquired of Yahweh Yahweh didn't (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) |