54 Saul Consults a Medium

First Samuel chapter 29 is without doubt a very troubling area of Scripture, as it presents the dangers of believers straying too far from the Lord’s presence, while it also shows how, for those without a personal relationship with the Lord, no “low” is too low.

In the previous chapter, we saw David’s unwise decision to in essence, repatriate not only himself, but his two wives, his six hundred men, and their families, all incredibly relocating to Philistia.

Then, he became somewhat of a mercenary on behalf of the Philistine king Achish.

1 In Dangerous Territory

1 Samuel 28:1-2

David was now in a difficult position, since Achish expected David to fight everyone (including Israel) on his behalf. All because, not only had David unwisely gone to Philistia, but also because he’d been untruthful with Achish. David had told the Philistine king, that he’d been raiding and defeating those in southern Israel, when in fact, he was doing so against mutual enemies of both the Philistines and Israelites.

2 The Lord Refuses to Answer

After briefly discussing David’s situation, the author turned the attention to Saul’s difficulties.

Saul naturally, became greatly concerned when he received word that the Philistines were preparing to attack Israel. It had been quite some time since Saul had reached to the Lord in any manner. But, when he received word of the impending attack, he called upon the Lord. However, the Lord didn’t respond:

1 Samuel 28:3-6

Even when he directed the priest to consult the Lord, using the Urim, (which the priest would have inside his breastplate, and by which the Lord would give direction) God no longer answered.

The author then spoke of how Saul had done a good thing, by previously ridding the land all mediums <’ōḇôṯ> in Hebrew, which mean “necromancers” – one who communicates with the dead. He also removed all “spiritists” which in Hebrew is < yidde‘ōnîm> which means “soothsayers” the word for those who contact spirits.

3 Saul Consults a Medium

Even though Saul had purged the land of the mediums, he probably assumed there would be some still scattered throughout the land, and he showed a willingness to consult with one. That showed that even though Saul had made the outward act, inwardly he showed that he wasn’t as firm in his convictions as it might have seemed.

Therefore, Saul directed his servants to find a medium for him to consult:

1 Sanuel 28:7-14

The servants found a medium, who was from the town of En Dor, which was a short distance from where Saul was located, and it was equally a short distance in the other direction, from where the Philistines were camped. Therefore, Saul disguised himself when he went to see the woman.

Saul’s willingness to consult with a medium, shows he was indeed quite rebellious, and was willing to entertain God’s judgment upon himself:

Leviticus 20:6

The medium was understandably hesitant in dealing with someone she assumed was a stranger. Saul then swore by the Lord that no harm would come upon the woman. This showed how Saul was more than willing to mix in the things of God, with the wickedness of the world.

Saul desired for the medium to “bring up” (from the dead) the prophet Samuel. The great irony, is that Saul hadn’t had any contact with him in the prophets last years. But now, he wanted to hear from his spirit.

He was showing how he was willing to engage in anything, if he felt it was to his advantage. That shows how a life of sin will invariably lead only downward,

The medium was most likely shocked herself, when she saw an individual who Saul believed to be the prophet Samuel.

The soothsayers and mediums used fraudulent methods to convince individuals that they’d contact a departed loved one, etc. In addition, the demonic was also involved in the process.

While the woman didn’t describe the individual she saw as being Samuel, Saul surmised that it was.

This has been a point of contention amongst theologians, debating whether it was an actual appearance of Samuel or a demonic trick.

4 Saul is Reproved

Saul probably thought the spirit would communicate with the medium who would then proceed to tell him what she heard. However, in this instance, it was Samuel who spoke directly to Saul:

1 Samuel 28:15-25

Saul told Samuel that he was distressed over the impending Philistine attack, and that the Lord hadn’t answered him. The response from the individual assumed to be Saul, gives a great deal of credence to the position that it was Samuel who was communicating with Saul:

1 Samuel 28:16-18

It’s unlikely that a demon would have spoken in the manner in which Saul was addressed, since a demon would have desired to deceive the king.

Regardless, it is an unusual situation, and the only time in Scripture that this has happened, although at His transfiguration, the Lord’s disciples witnessed Him speaking with Moses and Elijah, both of whom had been dead for many years.

The Lord wanted to use this opportunity, to emphatically state that He had rejected Saul, and that would not change. In addition, the king was told that Israel would fall to the Philistines, and that Saul and his sons would soon be killed.

Saul was so distressed that he fell prostrate on the ground and refused to be comforted throughout the day.