Then Saul fell straightway— Immediately after having pronounced the dreadful words in the former verse, Samuel disappeared, leaving the unhappy king in the most dreadful consternation. Saul, most probably, during the time of Samuel's appearance, had been left alone with him, the woman having retired. Continuing some time prostrate upon the earth, without power to move or speak, the woman at length returned to him, and with his servants persuaded him to take some refreshment. The sacred historian does not inform us of all that passed. There is no doubt but the Pythoness was well paid, and that the repast she offered was not at her own expence. Dr. Delaney makes two judicious observations on this event. The first is, that the son of Sirach, who seems to have had as much wisdom, penetration, and piety, as any critic who came after him, is clearly of opinion, with the sacred historian, that it was Samuel himself who foretold the fate of Saul and his house in this interview: and it is no ill presumption, that his judgment was also that of the Jewish church upon this head. The next is, that whereas it has been made a question, Whether the Jews had any belief in the immortality of the soul? this history is a full decision upon that point; and, perhaps, the establishment of that truth upon the foot of sensible evidence, was not the slightest purpose of Samuel's appearance upon this occasion. Indeed, the whole art of necromancy is founded entirely upon a belief of the immortality of the soul; for how could it be believed, that the souls of the dead could be evoked, if they died with the body? And, as this practice was so general among the heathens, it is plain that the immortality of the soul was generally received as a determined principle. See Le Clerc and Calmet.
Note; (1.) They who depart from God, leave their own mercies. A miserable life, and a more miserable death, is their wretched portion. (2.) When a man is given up to despair, he rushes on his own destruction, as the horse rusheth into the battle. (3.) Let every man who reads Saul's end, tremble at the thought of grieving the holy Spirit of God, lest he be thus forsaken, and left to the wickedness and despair of his own heart.