Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Samuel 28:23
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.
23. upon the bed ] Probably the divan, or platform running along the wall, which in the East serves for a seat by day and a bed at night. Cp. Est 1:6; Eze 23:41. Portable couches were also in use (ch. 1Sa 19:15).
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The bed – Rather, the bench or divan, such as in the East still runs along the wall, furnished with cushions, for those who sit at meals Est 1:6; Eze 23:41.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 23. I will not eat.] It is no wonder that not only his strength, but also his appetite, had departed from him.
And sat upon the bed] Beds or couches were the common places on which the ancients sat to take their repasts.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Compelled him, i.e. did over-persuade him, by importunate entreaties, as the next words show.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
But he refused, and said, I will not eat,…. Choosing rather to die with famine than by the sword of the Philistines; though perhaps his meaning is, he could not eat, his stomach loathed it, being overwhelmed with grief and trouble:
but his servants, together with the woman, compelled him; not by force, but by arguments; they reasoned with him, and prevailed upon him to try to eat:
and he hearkened unto their voice; and agreed to eat, if he could;
so he arose from the earth; on which he lay at his full length:
and sat upon the bed; or couch, it being now the custom to recline on couches at caring; though some deny that this custom obtained so early.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(23) And sat upon the bedThat is, upon the divan, or cushioned seat, which usually runs round the walls of rooms in Eastern dwellings. There is nothing in the narration to support the common idea, represented so often in painting, that the scene above related took place in a cave. The witch probably lived in a dwelling of her own at En-dor. There is nothing either in the narrative to indicate that she was living in a place of concealment.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
23. I will not eat Extreme mental anguish takes away all appetite.
Compelled him Constrained him by urgent importunity.
Sat upon the bed The couch or divan beside the table, on which guests are wont to recline at meals.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
1Sa 28:23 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.
Ver. 23. I will not eat. ] If the message of death made Hezekiah weep, Isa 38:3 and the approach of it was mar mar, bitter bitterness, Isa 38:17 what wonder if Saul were so dismayed that he had no mind to his meat?
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
I will: 1Ki 21:4, Pro 25:20
compelled him: 2Ki 4:8, Luk 14:23, Luk 24:29, Act 16:15, 2Co 5:14
Reciprocal: 2Sa 12:17 – the elders Pro 7:21 – forced