1 Samuel 28:23

²¹ When 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.

²² Now please listen to your servant and let me set a morsel of bread before you so you may eat and have the strength to go on your way.”

Saul refused, saying, “I will not eat.” But his servants joined the woman in urging him, and he heeded their voice. He got up from the ground and sat on the bed.

²⁴ The woman had a fattened calf at her house, and she quickly slaughtered it. She also took flour, kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread.

²⁵ She served it to Saul and his servants, and they ate. And that night they got up and left.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: Saul refused, saying, “I will not eat.” But his servants joined the woman in urging him, and he heeded their voice. He got up from the ground and sat on the bed.
KJV: But he refused, and said, I will not eat. But his servants, together with the woman, compelled him; and he hearkened unto their voice. So he arose from the earth, and sat upon the bed.
WEB: But he refused, and said, “I will not eat.” But his servants, together with the woman, constrained him; and he listened to their voice. So he arose from the earth and sat on the bed.
ASV: But he refused, and said, I will not eat. But his servants, together with the woman, constrained him; and he hearkened unto their voice. So he arose from the earth, and sat upon the bed.
DARBY: But he refused and said, I will not eat. Then his servants, and the woman also, compelled him, and he hearkened to their voice; and he arose from the earth and sat on the bed.
BLB: And he refused and said, “I will not eat.” And his servants urged him, and also the woman, and he listened to their voice. And he arose from the ground and sat on the bed.

ÅB: Men han ville ikke og sa: Jeg skal ingen mat ha. Da nødde de ham, både hans tjenere og kvinnen, og han lød dem og reiste seg opp fra jorden og satte seg på sengen.
OTB: Men han nektet og sa: "Jeg vil ikke spise." Men hans tjenere, sammen med kvinnen, overtalte ham, og han hørte på dem. Så han reiste seg fra jorden og satte seg på sengen.
B1930: Men han vilde ikke og sa: Jeg skal ingen mat ha. Da nødde de ham, både hans tjenere og kvinnen, og han lød dem og reiste sig op fra jorden og satte sig på sengen.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

1 Kings 21:4
So Ahab went to his palace, sullen and angry because Naboth the Jezreelite had told him, “I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers.” He lay down on his bed, turned his face away, and refused to eat.
Read in context
Proverbs 25:20
Like one who removes a garment on a cold day or vinegar poured on a wound is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
Read in context
2 Corinthians 5:14
For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died.
Read in context
2 Kings 5:13
Naaman’s servants, however, approached him and said, “My father, if the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more, then, when he tells you, ‘Wash and be cleansed’?”
Read in context
2 Kings 4:8
One day Elisha went to Shunem, and a prominent woman who lived there persuaded him to have a meal. So whenever he would pass by, he would stop there to eat.
Read in context
Luke 14:23
So the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.
Read in context
Luke 24:29
But they pleaded with Him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So He went in to stay with them.
Read in context
Acts 16:15
And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, “If you consider me a believer in the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.
Read in context