1 Samuel 28:1
28:1 And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines
     gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with
     Israel. And Achish said unto David, {a} Know thou
     assuredly, that thou shalt go out with me to battle, thou
     and thy men.

     (a) Though it was a great grief to David to fight against
         the people of God, yet such was his infirmity, he did
         not dare deny him.

1 Samuel 28:3
28:3 Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and
     buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had {b}
     put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards,
     out of the land.

     (b) According to the commandment of God,
         Exodus 22:18, Deuteronomy 18:10,11.

1 Samuel 28:6
28:6 And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him
     not, neither by dreams, nor by {c} Urim, nor by prophets.

     (c) Meaning, the high priest, Exodus 28:30.

1 Samuel 28:8
28:8 And Saul {d} disguised himself, and put on other raiment,
     and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the
     woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by
     the familiar spirit, and bring me [him] up, whom I shall
     name unto thee.

     (d) He does not seek God in his misery, but is led by Satan
         to unlawful means, which in his conscience he condemns.

1 Samuel 28:11
28:11 Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And
      he said, Bring me up {e} Samuel.

      (e) He speaks according to his gross ignorance not
          considering the state of the saints after this life,
          and how Satan has no power over them.

1 Samuel 28:14
28:14 And he said unto her, What form [is] he of? And she said,
      An old man cometh up; and he [is] covered with a mantle.
      And Saul perceived that it [was] {f} Samuel, and he
      stooped with [his] face to the ground, and bowed himself.

      (f) To his imagination, even though it was Satan, who to
          blind his eyes took on him the form of Samuel, as he
          can do of an angel of light.

1 Samuel 28:17
28:17 And the LORD hath done to {g} him, as he spake by me: for
      the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and
      given it to thy neighbour, [even] to David:

      (g) That is, to David.

1 Samuel 28:19
28:19 Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into
      the hand of the Philistines: {h} and to morrow [shalt]
      thou and thy sons [be] with me: the LORD also shall
      deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the
      Philistines.

      (h) You will die, 1 Samuel 31:6.

1 Samuel 28:20
28:20 Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was
      sore {i} afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there
      was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the
      day, nor all the night.

      (i) The wicked when they hear God's judgments, tremble and
          despair, but cannot seek for mercy by repentance.

1 Samuel 28:21
28:21 And the woman came unto Saul, and saw that he was sore
      troubled, and said unto him, Behold, thine handmaid hath
      obeyed thy voice, and I {k} have put my life in my hand,
      and have hearkened unto thy words which thou spakest unto
      me.

      (k) I have ventured my life.

1 Samuel 28:24
28:24 And the woman had a fat calf in the house; and she hasted,
      and killed it, and took flour, and kneaded [it], and did
      bake {l} unleavened bread thereof:

      (l) Because it required haste.