Saul consults a medium

1 Samuel Chapter 28

The Philistines mustered their armies for another war with Israel and King Achish told David he and his men would be expected to join them in the battle. David agreed and told the king now he would see for himself what David and his troops could do. And Achish told David that he would make him his personal bodyguard for life.

Meanwhile Samuel had died and Saul banned all mediums and psychics from the land of Israel.

The Philistines set their war camp at Shunem and Saul camped at Gilboa. When Saul saw the vast Philistine army, he became frantic with fear and asked the Lord what to do. But the Lord refused to answer him either in a dream or by sacred lots, or by the prophets. So Saul asked his advisers to find a woman medium. And he visited her in Endor, dressed in a disguise. He asked her to speak to the man who had died. The woman was afraid and told him King Saul had expelled all the mediums and psychic and she thought the man she was speaking to was setting a trap for her.

Saul took an oath in the name of the Lord and promised the woman nothing bad would happen to her. Then she called up Samuel as Saul asked. When she saw Samuel, she screamed and knew the man with her was Saul. Saul asked her what she saw and she said an old man wrapped in a robe. Saul dropped to the ground in front of Samuel.

Samuel asked why Saul called him back. Saul told him he was in deep trouble and God would not reply to him, so he wanted Samuel to tell him what to do. Samuel, however, told him the Lord had done just as he said he would. "He took the kingdom from you and gave it to your rival, David. He did this because you did not obey his instructions concerning the Amalekites. 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 the entire army of Israel down in defeat."

Saul fell to the ground paralyzed with fright and also faint with hunger. When the woman medium saw how distraught he was, she asked to give him something to eat. But Saul refused. The men with him urged him to eat and he yielded. The woman killed a calf and baked unleavened bread for him and his men to eat. Then they went out into the night.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: Saul removed all the mediums and psychics and witchcraft from Israel, but he did not remove it from his heart and wanted the services of a medium for counsel. His fear caused him to turn to the occult. God had forbidden the occult in Deuteronomy 18: 9-14, because the occult has Satan and demons as the source of their information.

Did the medium really bring Samuel back from the dead? She shrieked at his appearance, so she clearly realized she was dealing with a power far greater than her own knowledge. She did not bring him back through trickery, God brought Samuel back to give Saul a prediction of hs fate. A fate Saul already knew. God is against such practices as told in Galatians 5: 19-21.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? Each of us knows what is right and wrong in our hearts. So did Saul, but he turned to the occult. Don't you be swayed or fooled by these practices. Satan is behind the occult. It is not cute or entertaining to consult the dead. It is not cute or entertaining to read palms or use sorcery. God speaks only through his own channels like the Bible, his Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Sometimes we pray and we wonder why our prayers are not answered. But like Saul, if we don't fulfill our responsibilities that God already gave us, then don't be surprised if God does not give further advice.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH: Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents, and Arlene’s nephew David. Update on Lori: she sheds her back brace soon and can drive. She thanks God for healing her. Please continue to pray for her during recovery. Pray for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, is now able to speak and is working on rehab for paralysis. Pray for Robert Sargent with lung cancer and Marthaline Sargent with serious health issues. Update on Stella: A photo of her shows a chubby, alert baby who is breathing on her own. Her eyesight problems seem to be no longer a problem. But she must learn to eat and drink normally. She continues to have a long road, so prayers are still needed. Update on Mark: He has some paralysis on one side from the stroke, his eyesight has been impaired too. But he has gone home and his wife cares for him. Soon he will begin therapy. Continue to pray for his healing. Pray also for my aged friend Elaine who underwent surgery and is home healing slowly. Update on Craig: he ended up having a stent put in and is back to work. Keep him and his family on your list for prayers. Pray for Carolyn’s friend Margaret and her husband who were in a car accident. As elderly drivers they may face a life change which may cost them their independence. Let’s all raise our voices to God to hear our prayers.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, those who need jobs, those who are about to lose or have lost their homes. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.