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

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from 1 Samuel 28:3. It’s a really important passage about leadership and trust. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, this verse describes a situation where Saul, the king of Israel, was dealing with some people who were trying to manipulate him. Here's a breakdown of each part: “Now Samuel was dead…” : This tells us that Samuel, a very important prophet and leader, had passed away. He wasn’t actively involved anymore in guiding or leading the people. “…and all Israel had lamented him…” : This means the Israelites were deeply sad and grieving for Samuel's death. They were mourning his loss and feeling a sense of sadness and grief. It was a significant event that shook them. “…and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city.” : This is the key part. Samuel’s body was buried in Ramah – a small town near his home. It meant he was being honored and remembered within his own community. “And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits…” : This is where it gets interesting. Saul, who was the king, was taking action to stop someone from influencing him. He was removing people – individuals or groups – who were trying to trick or persuade him. "Familiar spirits" refers to people or practices that might be manipulating or deceiving him. So, putting it all together: Saul was dealing with a group of people who were trying to undermine his authority by attempting to influence him. He took steps to eliminate these influences, likely because he felt they posed a threat to his leadership and the stability of Israel. What's the big takeaway? This verse shows that even when leaders die, their power isn’t always completely gone. Saul was taking steps to protect himself from potential manipulation by those around him. --- Do you want me to: Explain a specific aspect of this verse in more detail (like why Saul might have done this)? Provide a related biblical story?