שמואל א, פרק כ״ח, פסוק ד׳

As the armies prepare for a critical battle, the timing of the enemy gathering is directly tied to the recent death of the prophet Samuel. As long as the prophet was alive, the Philistines were consistently defeated by the Israelites. With his passing, the enemy seizes the opportunity to launch a new attack [אברבנאל]. They penetrate deep into the Land of Israel to set up their camp [מלבי״ם], preparing themselves for the coming fight [שטיינזלץ].

In response, Saul gathers the Israelites, but his choice of where to camp reveals his deep anxiety. Lacking the courage to position his men close to the enemy, he chooses to camp at a distance on Mount Gilboa [מלבי״ם]. While this high mountain keeps them away from immediate danger, it also allows Saul and his army to clearly see the entire Philistine camp. The sheer size and power of the enemy forces fill him with terror.

Saul was naturally a brave warrior, but his current fear is rooted in his spiritual condition. Because of his past sins, he is distanced from God, and this spiritual separation heavily amplifies his dread. Seeing the massive Philistine army in Shunem, combined with the loss of Samuel and the silence of God, ultimately drives Saul into deep despair. This heavy burden pushes him to a breaking point, leading him to seek answers from a medium [אברבנאל].