Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 28:14
14. What form is he of He uses the singular, תארו , his form, though the witch had spoken in the plural of gods. But having seen the image of the mantled prophet in his soul, she proceeds to describe it just as it was pictured there. An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle Saul vividly remembered Samuel in connexion with that mantle the skirt of which he had laid hold of and rent at Gilgal, when the prophet uttered against him the last bitter oracle of judgment, (1... read more
Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 28:3-25
SAUL’S DISTRESS, AND INTERVIEW WITH THE WITCH OF ENDOR, 1 Samuel 28:3-25. Saul’s interview with the witch of Endor has ever been regarded as a subject beset with peculiar difficulties, and variously has it been explained. Justin Martyr and Origen held that by the incantations of the witch the spirit of Samuel actually appeared and conversed with Saul. Modern spiritism also affirms that the witch was a medium through whom the king of Israel received communications from the spirit of Samuel. But... read more