Log inSign up

1 Chronicles 10 · a question people ask

1 Samuel says Saul inquired of the LORD. This chapter says he didn't. Which is it?

In the text

Here are both, word for word. "When Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD didn’t answer him by dreams, by Urim, or by prophets" (1 Samuel 28:6). This chapter says Saul died "because he asked counsel of one who had a familiar spirit, to inquire" (10:13), "and didn’t inquire of the LORD" (10:14). In Hebrew the two books use two verbs. 1 Samuel 28:6's inquired is sha'al (tap asked counsel), the verb this chapter uses for Saul's asked counsel of the familiar spirit (10:13). This chapter's didn't inquire of the LORD is darash (tap inquire), as is its to inquire just before (10:13), and it is the verb of Saul's words about the woman at Endor, "that I may go to her and inquire of her" (1 Samuel 28:7). 1 Samuel 28's honest question sets the same verses side by side. Neither book explains how they fit together, and this answer doesn't go past them. Who spoke to Saul at Endor is read in more than one way; 1 Samuel 28's honest question sets out the main views, and this chapter doesn't raise it.

The verses

“When Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD didn’t answer him by dreams, by Urim, or by prophets. Then Saul said to his servants, “Seek for me a woman who has a familiar spirit, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” His servants said to him, “Behold, there is a woman who has a familiar spirit at Endor.””
1 Samuel 28:6-7 · World English Bible
“So Saul died for his trespass which he committed against the LORD, because of the LORD’s word, which he didn’t keep, and also because he asked counsel of one who had a familiar spirit, to inquire, and didn’t inquire of the LORD. Therefore he killed him, and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.”
1 Chronicles 10:13-14 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of 1 Chronicles 10

1 Chronicles 10: Why Saul died

1 Chronicles gives the reason for Saul's death with the same Hebrew noun it used for why Judah went into exile: his "trespass" (10:13) and their "disobedience" (9:1) are both ma'al. And its "he killed him" (10:14) is the same word, in the same form, the book used of Judah's son Er (2:3).

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

Start your free week1 Chronicles 10 Bible study

First week free, then $10 a month per person

More questions about 1 Chronicles 10

All questions about 1 Chronicles →

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions like this, in every chapter

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions