1 Samuel 28:16 web — Samuel said, "Why then do you ask of me, since Yahweh has departed from you and has become your adversary?

World English Bible

"Samuel said, "Why then do you ask of me, since Yahweh has departed from you and has become your adversary?"

— 1 Samuel 28:16, World English Bible

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1 Samuel 28:16 in Other Translations

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1 Samuel 28 — Context

13

The king said to her, "Don't be afraid. For what do you see?" The woman said to Saul, "I see a god coming up out of the earth."

14

He said to her, "What does he look like?" She said, "An old man comes up. He is covered with a robe." Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground, and did obeisance.

15

Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you disturbed me, to bring me up?" Saul answered, "I am very distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God has departed from me, and answers me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams. Therefore I have called you, that you may make known to me what I shall do."

16

Samuel said, "Why then do you ask of me, since Yahweh has departed from you and has become your adversary?

17

Yahweh has done to you as he spoke by me. Yahweh has torn the kingdom out of your hand, and given it to your neighbor, even to David.

18

Because you didn't obey the voice of Yahweh, and didn't execute his fierce wrath on Amalek, therefore Yahweh has done this thing to you this day.

19

Moreover Yahweh will deliver Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines; and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. Yahweh will deliver the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines."

1 Samuel 28:16 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does 1 Samuel 28:16 say?
1 Samuel 28:16 in the World English Bible reads: “Samuel said, "Why then do you ask of me, since Yahweh has departed from you and has become your adversary?”
Where is 1 Samuel 28:16 in the Bible?
1 Samuel 28:16 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of 1 Samuel, chapter 28, verse 16.
Who wrote 1 Samuel?
1 Samuel is traditionally attributed to Anonymous (traditionally Samuel, Nathan, and Gad). It was written c. 930–722 BC.
What is the book of 1 Samuel about?
1 Samuel marks Israel's transition from judges to kings. It traces the births and ministries of the prophet Samuel, the rise and tragic fall of Saul as Israel's first king, and the anointing of the shepherd boy David, whose faith makes him a man after God's own heart.
What are the major themes of 1 Samuel?
1 Samuel explores themes including Kingship, Prophet, Faith vs. Fear, God's Sovereign Choice, Anointing. These themes shape the meaning and context of 1 Samuel 28:16.
What translation should I read 1 Samuel 28:16 in?
1 Samuel 28:16 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize 1 Samuel 28:16?
1 Samuel 28:16 reads (WEB): “Samuel said, "Why then do you ask of me, since Yahweh has departed from you and has become your adversary?” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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