01/11/2025
1 Samuel 28:3–25 — The Night King Saul Consulted a Medium
Prophet Samuel was dead, and all Israel had mourned for him. King Saul had also driven out every witch, medium, and fortune teller from the land — just as God commanded.
But when the Philistines gathered for war against Israel, Saul became afraid. He saw their army and his heart trembled. He tried to seek the Lord, but this time, God was silent — no dreams, no prophets, no visions.
Desperate for answers, Saul turned to his servants and said, “Find me a woman who has a familiar spirit, so that I may inquire of her.”
They told him about a woman living in Endor. That night, Saul disguised himself, wearing ordinary clothes instead of his royal robe. He went to her secretly with two men.
When he arrived, he said to her, “Please, conduct a séance for me, and bring up for me the spirit I name.”
The woman was afraid. She said, “You know what Saul has done — how he cut off all mediums and spiritists from the land. Why are you setting a trap for my life?”
But Saul swore to her in the name of the Lord, saying, “As surely as the Lord lives, you will not be punished for this thing.”
Then she asked, “Whom shall I bring up for you?”
Saul replied, “Bring up Samuel.”
When the woman began her ritual, something unusual happened. She screamed and said, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!”
The king said, “Don’t be afraid. What do you see?”
She answered, “I see a spirit coming up from the earth… an old man wearing a robe.”
Saul recognized it as Samuel, bowed with his face to the ground, and paid respect.
Then Samuel’s spirit said, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?”
Saul replied, “I am in great distress. The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has departed from me. He no longer answers me by prophets or dreams, so I have called on you to tell me what to do.”
Samuel said, “Why ask me, since the Lord has departed from you and become your enemy? The Lord has done what He said He would do — He has torn the kingdom from your hand and given it to David. Because you did not obey the Lord or carry out His fierce anger against Amalek, He has done this to you today.
Moreover, the Lord will deliver Israel into the hands of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me.”
When Saul heard those words, he fell full length on the ground, filled with fear. He had no strength left because he had eaten nothing all day and all night.
The woman saw how terrified he was and said, “I have obeyed you at the risk of my life. Now please listen to me — eat some food so you can have strength to go on your way.”
At first Saul refused, but his men and the woman persuaded him. She quickly prepared a meal — a fattened calf, bread without yeast — and set it before them.
After they ate, they rose and went out into the night.
Lessons from this story:
1️⃣ When God is silent, it’s not time to panic — it’s time to repent and wait.
2️⃣ Desperation can lead even the mighty to make foolish decisions.
3️⃣ Not every “seer” or “prophet” speaks for God; some speak from familiar spirits.
4️⃣ Seeking forbidden powers opens doors to fear and destruction.
5️⃣ The Word of God remains the safest and clearest guide for every believer.
Deuteronomy 18:10–12 warns:
“Let no one be found among you who practices divination or consults the dead. For whoever does these things is detestable to the Lord.”
Saul lost his crown and peace when he turned to darkness for answers that only God could give.
If you ever feel lost or desperate for direction — remember, it’s better to wait in silence for God than to run into the arms of deception.
