And it came to pass, while Saul talked unto the priest, that the noise that was in the host of the Philistines went on and increased: and Saul said unto the priest, Withdraw thine hand.
Withdraw thine hand. The priest, invested with the ephod, prayed with raised and extended hands. Saul, perceiving that the opportunity was inviting and that God appeared to have sufficiently declared in favour of His people, requested the priest to cease, that they might immediately join in the contest. The season for consultation was past, the time for prompt action was come.