It is not clear when Saul suppressed witchcraft; it was probably in the early part of his reign.

Familiar spirits ... wizards - that i…

Now Samuel was dead. —This statement is repeated here to introduce the strange, sad story which follows. The Septuagint, …

Now Samuel was dead
Had been so for some time; which is mentioned before, (1 Samuel 25:1); and here repe…

David could not refuse Achish without danger. If he promised assistance, and then stood neutral, or went over to the Israelites, he would behave wi…