Witch of Endor

[Symphony]

What is the lesson from the witch of Endor incident with King Saul, in 1 Samuel 27(?) ?

[Shammu]

Saul had put the mediums and the spiritists out of the land: To his credit, Saul obeyed the commands in the Mosaic Law to cast out those who practiced occultic arts. God commanded that mediums and spiritists, (those who either can or claim to contact the dead and spirit beings) have no place among His people in passages such as Leviticus 19:31, 20:6, 27 and in Deuteronomy 18:9-14. Saul did this in his earlier days, when he was still influenced by Samuel’s leadership.

Things such as tarot cards, palm readers, horoscopes and Ouija Boards are modern attempts to practice forms of spiritism. They are dangerous links to the demonic, even if undertaken in a spirit of fun. Christians should have nothing to do with occultic arts or practices.

When Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him: Saul is in a terrible place. The Philistines threaten Israel, Saul’s courage has failed him, and now God is silent when Saul seeks Him. Saul hoped that God would speak to him through dreams, but God was silent. He hoped God would speak to him through the Urim, but God was silent. He wanted to hear from God through the prophets, but God would not talk to Saul.

Why was God silent towards Saul? Won’t God answer everyone who seeks Him? Not always, not when a man is in a place of judgment as Saul was. King Saul has rejected and is currently rejecting God’s previously revealed will. Since Saul doesn’t care to obey God in what he already knows, God would not give him more to know.

When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice. Why the medium so shocked? Probably she was a fraud, and most of her dealings with the spirit realm were mere tricks. Now, Samuel really appears from the world beyond, and she is completely surprised to have a real encounter with the spirit realm.

I would say that this medium was familiar with the presence of demonic spirits, the presence of the Holy Spirit was probably completely unfamiliar to her. The holy presence of the Holy Spirit may have seemed terrifying to her.  The indications are that this was an extraordinary event for her, and a frightening one because she was not in control.

When we close our ears to God, He will find unusual, and perhaps uncomfortable, ways to speak to us. That he did appear to Saul, there can be no question, but he did not come in response to her call. He was sent of God, for the express purpose of rebuking Saul for his unholy traffic with these evil things, and to pronounce his doom.

[MalkyEL]

I am wondering if it was Samuel that Saul contacted or a spirit masquerading as Samuel.  I am just thinking, as you look at the Scripture reference, "Samuel" does not speak "for" God.  There is nothing unusual in demonic spirits foretelling someone's death.  Most importantly, he says in verse 19 that Saul and his sons "will be with me".  As far as I know, from Scripture, Saul did not belong to God, so if he was going to die, just who is the "me" he is going to be with???

Also, nemocracy is an abomintion to God.  I hardly think God would use it to pass along information.  At the beginning of this story, God specifically said He was not speaking to Saul through His prophets, in dreams, or by way of the Thurim - which is how God chose to speak at that time.

Just some thoughts  

Shalom, MalkyEL

ps:  the correct chapter is 28  

[Symphony]

Your argument that the vision was demonic makes perfect sense, MalkyEl, 'cept for DW's reminder that Samuel did rebuke Saul.  Would Samuel have done that, if it were really a demon?

Maybe.  

Of course, we don't really know.  It's conjecture.

We don't know if the vision was real or not.

Of course, that Saul would be with Samuel the next day is possibly not so unusual - a place of 'rest' before disposition of souls seems consistent with some scriptures elsewhere, tho not totally consistent.