The King and a Witch
Here is an audio link for today’s post.
Last week, Saul’s story had a promising moment. Did Saul really have a change of heart towards David? David had been given the perfect opportunity to finally kill his sworn enemy. Instead, he spared Saul’s life, and Saul was grateful.
But God was not with Saul anymore. He was spiritually and mentally oppressed. The godly prophet, Samuel, had died. (1 Samuel 15:23)
Saul’s remorse for his crazed behavior did not last long. David knew that Saul would resume his wicked pursuit. (1 Samuel 27:1) He was right.
Take a look.
David sent out spies and knew for certain that Saul had come. That night, David and Abishai came to the troops, and Saul was lying there asleep in the inner circle of the camp with his spear stuck in the ground by his head. Abner and the troops were lying around him. Then Abishai said to David, “Today God has delivered your enemy to you. Let me thrust the spear through him into the ground just once. I won’t have to strike him twice!”
But David said to Abishai, “Don’t destroy him, for who can lift a hand against the Lord’s anointed and be innocent?” So, David took the spear and the water jug by Saul’s head, and they went their way. No one saw them, no one knew, and no one woke up; they all remained asleep because a deep sleep from the Lord came over them.
Be sure to read the rest of this compelling true story in 1 Samuel 26
As we move to the brief 27th Chapter we find David coming up with a unique plan to put an end to Saul’s manhunt. David actually, took refuge with the enemy-the Philistines. Be sure to read 1 Samuel 27: 1-12. The whole story is important to understand as we move closer to Saul’s death.
As chapter 28 opens, Saul is at his lowest point of emptiness and fear. He is surrounded by an army that cannot really keep him safe. He is desolate and dark.
Saul’s desperation causes him to add to his sin.
When Saul saw the Philistine camp, he was afraid and his heart pounded. He inquired of the Lord, but the Lord did not answer him…
Saul then said to his servants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so I can go and consult her.” His servants replied, “There is a woman at En-dor who is a medium.”
Let’s step back to 1 Samuel 15:23. Do you remember how God sees the sin of rebellion?
“For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and defiance is like wickedness and idolatry…”
That is how God sees mankind’s rebellion and defiance even today.
Tragically, long before Saul consulted the witch of Endor, he had already rejected God’s plan for his life.
God’s Word explicitly says to stay away from anything like witchcraft, mediums, etc.
Leviticus 19:31 Deuteronomy 18:10-11
So, Saul disguises himself and goes to visit the witch. Why do you believe Saul disguised himself?
He did not want the medium to recognize him. She knew about the Mosaic laws against witchcraft, and she knew that Saul had actively outlawed it in Israel. (1 Samuel 28:3) Saul knew that the woman would not help him if she recognized him.
When Saul told the medium to consult a spirit for him, she was afraid.
“Why are you setting a trap for me to get me killed?”
“…As surely as the Lord lives, no punishment will come to you from this.”
“Who is it that you want me to bring up for you?” the woman asked.
“Bring up Samuel for me,” he answered. When the woman saw Samuel, she screamed, and then she asked Saul, “Why did you deceive me? You are Saul!” But the king said to her, “Don’t be afraid. What do you see?”
“I see a spirit form coming up out of the earth,” the woman answered. Then Saul asked her, “What does he look like?”
“An old man is coming up,” she replied. “He’s wearing a robe.”
Then Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he knelt low with his face to the ground and paid homage. “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Samuel asked Saul. “I’m in serious trouble,” replied Saul.
So, Saul told Samuel that the Philistines were fighting against him, and that the Lord had left him.
Samuel answered, “Since the Lord has turned away from you and has become your enemy, why are you asking me? The Lord has done exactly what he said through me: The Lord has torn the kingship out of your hand and given it to your neighbor David.“
Samuel reminded Saul that his disobedience against God had brought Saul to this sorrowful predicament. Remember, earlier Saul had openly defied God by allowing the wicked Amalekite king to live. (1 Samuel 15:8-9)
The Lord will also hand Israel over to the Philistines along with you. Tomorrow you and your sons will be with me, and the Lord will hand Israel’s army over to the Philistines.”
“Immediately, Saul fell flat on the ground. He was terrified by Samuel’s words…”
Now, we should not draw conclusions about the possibility of Saul’s salvation. Although it appears that he had not found grace, we simply do not know, nor should we speculate. We do know how Saul’s life and reign as the first king of Israel ended.
We will read about that next week.
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Isaiah 52:7
English Standard Version (ESV)
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
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