Meanwhile, Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him. He was buried in Ramah, his hometown. And Saul had banned from the land of Israel all mediums and those who consult the spirits of the dead. (1 Samuel 28:3 NLT)
I've passed many places over my lifetime who claim to be able to predict my fortune. Some read palms. Others read tarot cards. Still others tell me the alignment of the sun, moon, and stars will tell me my fortune. Their methodologies vary, but their promise is the same. They can tell me about myself, my loved ones, and my future.
King Saul understood what an offense this is to God. That's why he banned it from the land when he was King. Unfortunately, like many of us, Saul found himself worried about his future.
When Saul saw the vast Philistine army, he became frantic with fear. He asked the LORD what he should do, but the LORD refused to answer him, either by dreams or by sacred lots or by the prophets. Saul then said to his advisers, "Find a woman who is a medium, so I can go and ask her what to do." His advisers replied, "There is a medium at Endor." So Saul disguised himself by wearing ordinary clothing instead of his royal robes. Then he went to the woman's home at night, accompanied by two of his men. "I have to talk to a man who has died," he said. "Will you call up his spirit for me?" "Are you trying to get me killed?" the woman demanded. "You know that Saul has outlawed all the mediums and all who consult the spirits of the dead. Why are you setting a trap for me?" But Saul took an oath in the name of the LORD and promised, "As surely as the LORD lives, nothing bad will happen to you for doing this." (1 Samuel 28:5-10 NLT)
Saul had become a desperate man. He wanted to know where God was in all this. When God didn't answer, Saul tried to find out in an ungodly way. The result? Not good.
Finally, the woman said, "Well, whose spirit do you want me to call up?" "Call up Samuel," Saul replied. When the woman saw Samuel, she screamed, "You've deceived me! You are Saul!" "Don't be afraid!" the king told her. "What do you see?" "I see a god coming up out of the earth," she said. "What does he look like?" Saul asked. "He is an old man wrapped in a robe," she replied. Saul realized it was Samuel, and he fell to the ground before him.
"Why have you disturbed me by calling me back?" Samuel asked Saul. "Because I am in deep trouble," Saul replied. "The Philistines are at war with me, and God has left me and won't reply by prophets or dreams. So I have called for you to tell me what to do."
But Samuel replied, "Why ask me, since the LORD has left you and has become your enemy? The LORD has done just as He said He would. He has torn the kingdom from you and given it to your rival, David...
What's more, the LORD will hand you and the army of Israel over to the Philistines tomorrow, and you and your sons will be here with me. The LORD will bring down the entire army of Israel in defeat." (1 Samuel 28:11-19 NLT)
Saul had good reason to be desperate. He was going to lose the battle and die the next day. The thing is, he didn't need to consult a medium or Samuel to know the final result. He had already disobeyed God. He had already been told the consequences of his actions. He already knew he would be punished for his rebellion against God.
Pete, this was really good to read. Thanks for posting!
ReplyDelete