Saul, the first king of Israel, experienced a reign marked by initial promise but ultimate decline and despair. His decision to consult a medium at Endor, as recorded in 1 Samuel 28, is a dramatic turning point in his reign. This act of desperation, driven by fear of the Philistine threat and feelings of abandonment by God, led Saul to seek guidance from an occult source despite the strict prohibition against such practices in Israel. This incident underscores the dangers of turning away from God in times of crisis and highlights the importance of seeking divine guidance. The consequences of Saul's actions, including the grim prophecy delivered and his eventual death in battle, serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of turning away from God. This blog post will explore Saul’s distressing situation, his forbidden consultation with the medium, the appearance of Samuel, the grim prophecy delivered, and the consequences of his actions.
A. Saul’s Distressing Situation
Saul’s Fear of an Attack from the Philistines
(1 Samuel 28:3-5): “Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had lamented for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had put the mediums and the necromancers out of the land. The Philistines assembled and came and encamped at Shunem. And Saul gathered all Israel, and they encamped at Gilboa. When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly.”
a. The Death of Samuel
The death of Samuel, Israel’s last judge and a significant spiritual leader, left a profound void in the nation’s spiritual guidance. Samuel’s death, initially recorded in 1 Samuel 25:1, is mentioned again here to emphasize the spiritual vacuum his absence created. His death removed the prophetic voice that had guided and rebuked Saul, leaving him without the counsel of a man who had a direct connection with God.
b. Saul’s Ban on Mediums and Spiritists
In his earlier days under Samuel’s influence, Saul had adhered to God’s commands by expelling mediums and spiritists from the land. This obedience to the Mosaic Law is seen in passages like Leviticus 19:31, 20:6, and Deuteronomy 18:9-14, which strictly forbid consulting those who practice occult arts. Such practices were considered abominations because they opened individuals to demonic influences and diverted them from trusting in God alone. Saul’s adherence to this command earlier in his reign highlights his initial commitment to God’s laws.
c. The Philistine Encampment at Shunem
The Philistines’ strategic positioning at Shunem demonstrated their aggressive intentions. Shunem, located in the Valley of Jezreel, was approximately twenty miles north of Aphek, indicating the Philistines’ penetration deep into Israelite territory. This aggressive maneuver underscored their dominance over Saul’s kingdom and their strategic aim to press further east towards the Jordan, creating a tense and threatening atmosphere.
d. Saul’s Fear
When he saw the Philistine army, Saul’s fear and trembling heart reflected his significant decline in courage. This emotional and psychological impact of fear and trembling heart is significant as it shows Saul's internal struggle and the depth of his desperation. Once a man of great bravery, as evidenced in 1 Samuel 11:6-11, Saul’s courage waned as the Spirit of the LORD departed from him (1 Samuel 16:14). The absence of Samuel further exacerbated Saul’s fear, leaving him feeling isolated and vulnerable.
God’s Silence Towards Saul
(1 Samuel 28:6): “And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets.”
a. The Silence of God
Saul found himself in a desperate position: the Philistine threat loomed large, his courage had failed him, and now God was silent. Saul’s inquiries to God through dreams, the Urim (the sacred lots used by the priests), and the prophets yielded no response. This silence from God was a severe judgment on Saul, indicating that God would not always respond to those who seek Him, especially when they are in a state of rebellion or judgment.
b. Reasons for God’s Silence
God’s silence towards Saul can be understood in light of Saul’s persistent disobedience and rejection of God’s previously revealed will. Saul’s failure to obey God in past instructions, such as sparing the Amalekite king and the best of the livestock contrary to God’s command (1 Samuel 15), resulted in God’s judgment upon him. Saul's disobedience, particularly in the case of sparing the Amalekite king and the best of the livestock, was a significant factor in his spiritual decline and the reason for God's silence. Despite knowing it was against God’s will (1 Samuel 24:16-20; 26:21), Saul’s ongoing pursuit of David further distanced him from divine guidance. As a principle, if we ignore or disobey the guidance already given by God, we should not expect further direction from Him.
B. Saul Consults a Medium
Saul Seeks Out a Medium
(1 Samuel 28:7-8): “Then Saul said to his servants, ‘Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.’ And his servants said to him, ‘Behold, there is a medium at En-dor.’ So Saul disguised himself and put on other garments, and he and two men went with him. And they came to the woman by night. And he said, ‘Divine for me by a spirit and bring up for me whomever I shall name to you.’”
a. Saul’s Desperation and Disguise
Despite having previously banned such practices, Saul’s decision to seek out a medium highlights his desperation. Due to Saul’s earlier purges, the difficulty in finding a medium is evident as he asks his servants to locate one. His servants inform him of a woman at En-dor. Saul’s disguise and nocturnal visit indicate his awareness of the illicit nature of his actions and his fear of being recognized.
b. The Medium at En-dor
The woman at En-dor, traditionally called the Witch of Endor, is more accurately described as a medium or necromancer. The Hebrew term for medium, *’ ôḇ*, suggests someone communicating with the dead, often producing a strange, hollow sound during the act. En-dor’s geographical location, located four miles northeast of Shunem and dangerously close to the Philistine camp, underscores the risks Saul took in consulting her.
c. Saul’s Hypocrisy and Desperation
Saul’s request to the medium to bring up Samuel reflects his profound desperation. Ironically, he sought divine guidance through an occult practice, demonstrating the depth of his spiritual decline. Saul’s hypocrisy is further highlighted as he swears by the LORD to assure the medium of her safety despite his disobedience and engagement in a forbidden practice.
The Medium’s Suspicion and Saul’s Assurance
(1 Samuel 28:9-10): “The woman said to him, ‘Surely you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off the mediums and the necromancers from the land. Why then are you laying a trap for my life to bring about my death?’ But Saul swore to her by the LORD, ‘As the LORD lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this thing.’”
a. The Medium’s Fear
The medium’s suspicion of a trap highlights the danger she faced. Saul’s previous actions of expelling mediums from Israel were well known, and the medium feared for her life. Her cautious approach indicates her awareness of the king’s decree and the potential consequences of her actions.
b. Saul’s Assurances
Saul’s assurance to the medium, swearing by the LORD, is deeply ironic. His use of God’s name in such a context reveals the spiritual depravity he had reached. This is the last recorded instance of Saul using the LORD’s name in the book of 1 Samuel, and he does so to swear protection to a medium, further underscoring his disobedience and spiritual decline.
Samuel’s Appearance
(1 Samuel 28:11-14): “Then the woman said, ‘Whom shall I bring up for you?’ He said, ‘Bring up Samuel for me.’ When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice. And the woman said to Saul, ‘Why have you deceived me? You are Saul.’ The king said to her, ‘Do not be afraid. What do you see?’ And the woman said to Saul, ‘I see a god coming up out of the earth.’ He said to her, ‘What is his appearance?’ And she said, ‘An old man is coming up, and he is wrapped in a robe.’ And Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground and paid homage.”
a. The Medium’s Shock
The medium’s reaction to seeing Samuel suggests she was not expecting a real encounter with the dead. Her loud cry indicates her genuine shock, implying that her usual practice might have involved trickery or deception rather than actual contact with the spiritual realm.
b. The Identification of Saul
The appearance of Samuel led the medium to realize Saul’s true identity. Her fear and accusation of deception reflect her awareness of the potential danger she faced in dealing with the king who had banned her practice.
c. Samuel’s Appearance
The description of Samuel’s appearance as an “old man wrapped in a robe” convinces Saul of his identity. The Hebrew term used by the medium, *elohim*, often translated as “god” or “gods,” suggests a being of spiritual significance. Samuel’s actual appearance, however, affirms that this was indeed the prophet himself, not a demonic impersonation or hallucination.
C. Samuel Speaks to Saul
Samuel’s Rebuke and Prophecy
(1 Samuel 28:15-19): “Then Samuel said to Saul, ‘Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?’ Saul answered, ‘I am in great distress, for the Philistines are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no more, either by prophets or by dreams. Therefore I have summoned you to tell me what I shall do.’ And Samuel said, ‘Why then do you ask me, since the LORD has turned from you and become your enemy? The LORD has done to you as he spoke by me, for the LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David. Because you did not obey the voice of the LORD and did not carry out his fierce wrath against Amalek, therefore the LORD has done this thing to you this day. Moreover, the LORD will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me. The LORD will give the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.’”
a. Saul’s Distress and Plea for Help
Saul’s admission of distress and abandonment by God underscores his desperate state. Despite the prophet’s death, his appeal to Samuel highlights his inability to find guidance or solace from any other source. Saul’s acknowledgment of God’s silence serves as a tragic reflection of his spiritual isolation.
b. Samuel’s Rebuke
Samuel’s rebuke is harsh and direct. He reminds Saul that God’s turning away from him results from his own disobedience. Samuel’s rhetorical question, “Why then do you ask me, since the LORD has turned from you and become your enemy?” emphasizes the futility of Saul’s plea. The prophet reiterates that the LORD has already judged Saul, which Saul’s actions had brought about.
c. Prophecy of Doom
Samuel’s prophecy is grim and unyielding. He confirms that the kingdom has been given to David, a reality Saul had struggled to accept. The prophecy also foretells Israel’s impending defeat at the hands of the Philistines and the death of Saul and his sons. The declaration that Saul and his sons will join Samuel “tomorrow” signifies their impending death and further underscores the severity of God’s judgment.
D. The Consequences of Saul’s Actions
Saul’s Immediate Reaction
(1 Samuel 28:20): “Then Saul fell at once full length on the ground, filled with fear because of the words of Samuel. And there was no strength in him, for he had eaten nothing all day and all night.”
a. Saul’s Physical Collapse
Saul’s immediate reaction to Samuel’s words is one of utter collapse. His physical prostration and lack of strength reflect the prophecy’s emotional and spiritual weight. The certainty of his impending doom now compounds the fear and hopelessness that had gripped Saul.
b. Saul’s State of Weakness
Saul’s weakened state from not eating all day and night underscores his physical and spiritual exhaustion. His refusal to eat suggests a form of self-punishment or deep despair, indicative of his complete loss of hope.
The Medium’s Compassion
(1 Samuel 28:21-25): “And the woman came to Saul, and when she saw that he was terrified, she said to him, ‘Behold, your servant has obeyed you. I have taken my life in my hand and have listened to what you have said to me. Now therefore, you also obey your servant. Let me set a morsel of bread before you and eat, that you may have strength when you go on your way.’ He refused and said, ‘I will not eat.’ But his servants, together with the woman, urged him, and he listened to their words. So he arose from the earth and sat on the bed. Now the woman had a fattened calf in the house, and she quickly killed it, and she took flour and kneaded it and baked unleavened bread of it, and she put it before Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they rose and went away that night.”
a. The Medium’s Concern
The medium’s concern for Saul’s well-being is noteworthy. Despite the initial fear and the illicit nature of their encounter, she exhibits compassion towards the king. Her insistence that Saul eat to regain his strength demonstrates her recognition of his vulnerable state.
b. Saul’s Reluctance and Acceptance
Saul’s initial refusal to eat reflects his deep despair and resignation to his fate. However, the medium and his servants’ combined urging persuades him to accept their offer. This moment of shared humanity in the midst of spiritual and political turmoil is a poignant reminder of Saul’s frailty.
c. The Meal
The meal prepared by the medium, involving a fattened calf and unleavened bread, suggests a significant effort to provide for Saul. This act of hospitality, though performed by a medium, contrasts with the bleakness of Saul’s situation and provides a brief moment of respite before his final confrontation with the Philistines.
Conclusion
Saul’s consultation with the medium at Endor marks a tragic and dramatic moment in his reign. His fear of the Philistines, coupled with God’s silence, drove him to seek forbidden guidance, highlighting his spiritual decline and desperation. The appearance of Samuel and the subsequent prophecy of doom underscored the consequences of Saul’s disobedience and rejection of God’s will. This episode is a stark warning about the dangers of turning away from God in times of crisis and the importance of seeking His guidance and adhering to His commands. As we reflect on Saul’s tragic end, we are reminded of the need for steadfast faith and obedience, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.
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