1 Samuel 28:1-10
“In those days the Philistines gathered their forces for war, to fight against Israel. And Achish said to David, “Understand that you and your men are to go out with me in the army.” 2 David said to Achish, “Very well, you shall know what your servant can do.” And Achish said to David, “Very well, I will make you my bodyguard for life.” Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had put the mediums and the necromancers out of the land. 4 The Philistines assembled and came and encamped at Shunem. And Saul gathered all Israel, and they encamped at Gilboa. 5 When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. 6 And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets. 7 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 went, he and two men 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.” 9 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?” 10 But Saul swore to her by the Lord, “As the Lord lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this thing.”
Recap:
- David is pressured to join Achish in battle against Israel, responding with a veiled answer. He likely wonders, “What am I going to do?”
- David’s answer and escape come later in chapter 29 through God’s providence.
Focus on Saul’s Despair
- The scene shifts to Saul, who finds himself equally desperate but without answers from God.
- Darkness of Saul’s Final Night: This is the final, tragic night of Saul’s life, showing the end of his rebellious journey.
- Lesson: The Bible presents this as a solemn warning about the nature of sin’s progression.
The Progressive Nature of Sin (Examples from Saul’s Life)
- Early Sins: Saul’s first sins seemed minor (e.g., unauthorized sacrifice in 1 Samuel 13, sparing Amalekites in 1 Samuel 15).
- Saul initially viewed these as minor infractions or technicalities.
- Growth of Sin: His sins evolved as he swore oaths hastily, refused God’s declared future for David, and prioritized his own kingship.
- End Result: Saul’s soul became entangled in dark practices, showing sin’s ability to corrupt over time.
Warnings from Scripture
- Galatians 6:7: "Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.”
- **Proverbs 11:21**: "Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished.”
- Saul’s life is a cautionary example of how sin, left unchecked, has a devastating end.
- Application: Reflect on Saul’s journey as a warning of unchecked sin’s potential to grow and lead to ruin.
- Encouragement: Seek God’s guidance consistently rather than turning to harmful alternatives in times of crisis.
Progression of Sin’s Deeper Descent
- Sin’s pattern: Starts small, but grows over time, leading to darker and more heinous acts.
- Example of Saul:
- Initial Intentions: Saul wanted victory for God’s cause, sought recognition in battle.
- Gradual Fall: Small acts of disobedience progressed to the extremes of consulting a witch and ending in despair.
- Warning: Sin, left unchecked, eventually leads to devastating consequences
God’s Judgment and Rejection of Saul
- Romans 1:28: “God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.”
- God’s judgment can mean allowing a person to experience the full consequences of their sin.
- Ephesians 4:27: “Give no opportunity to the devil.”
- Saul’s downfall warns us against allowing sin any foothold in our lives.
Saul’s Separation from God’s Guidance
- 1 Samuel 28:5-6: “When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets.”
- Saul had received God’s word and would not obey, but now he hears it no more.
- Proverbs 1:24-31: “Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded, because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof, I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you, when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you. Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me. Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD, would have none of my counsel and idespised all my reproof, therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices.”
- Saul ignored God’s counsel and reproof; now God’s voice is silent.
- Lesson: God’s repeated offers of mercy, if ignored, may cease, leaving sinners to the consequences of their choices.
Reflection on God’s Patience and Warnings
- God desires for sinners to come to Him and stretches out His hand with great patience.
- Saul’s Response to God’s Warnings:
- Saul repeatedly dismissed warnings, reproofs, and godly counsel.
- Consequences: Saul’s rejection of God’s counsel led to spiritual silence in his most desperate hour.
A Heart Hardened to God’s Word
- Saul’s past actions caused God’s voice to become silent in his life.
- Examples:
- Saul killed the priests of Nob, driving the last priest with the Urim and Thummim to flee to David.
- He dismissed prophets and silenced their counsel.
- End Result: Saul, desperate for guidance, is left alone, unable to hear from God due to his own repeated rejections.
Application: Warnings Against Ignoring God’s Word
- Analogy to Modern Rejection: Some hear God’s word but choose to suppress the truth, gradually rejecting it until it becomes silent.
- Solemn Reminder:
- Rejecting God’s Word repeatedly may lead to a spiritual deafness where even God’s people stop speaking truth to them.
- Despising the word of God is a terrible sin. Hearing the sweetness of God’s convicting Word and rejecting it is a deadly choice.
Saul’s opportunity for mercy ended before his life did—a tragic outcome of rejecting God.
- Lesson: Persistent sin can provoke God to withdraw His voice, leaving a person spiritually lost, as seen in Saul’s life.
Absence of Mercy, Presence of Condemnation
- Saul’s conscience is tormented, knowing judgment and death await.
- In his desperation, he seeks a medium to speak to the deceased prophet, Samuel.
Samuel’s Message of Judgment
- 1 Samuel 28:11-20 - Then the woman said, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” He said, “Bring up Samuel for me.” 12 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.” 13 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.” 14 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. 15 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.” 16 And Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since the Lord has turned from you and become your enemy? 17 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. 18 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. 19 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.”
- Two interpretations of Samuel’s appearance:
1. Demonic imitation: Some believe it was a satanic vision, revealing known facts.
2. True Vision: Likely God allowed Samuel to appear, judging Saul for rejecting His commands.
- Isaiah 55:6-7 - “Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.”
The End of Saul’s Hope and Peace
- 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.”
- Saul’s entire kingship was characterized by fear, from his hiding to his persecution of David, and now fear has fully overtaken him.
Contrast Between Saul and David
- Psalm 13: - “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,” lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken. But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me.”
- Unlike Saul, David’s troubles drive him closer to God, seeking His mercy and presence.
- True believers should seek God above all, knowing He does not forsake those who belong to Him.
The Assurance of God’s Faithfulness
- Hebrews 13:5 - “Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.’”
- Jesus was forsaken on the cross, crying out in abandonment, so that believers would not have to be forsaken by God.
Saul’s Last Supper and Despair vs. Jesus’ Last Supper and Hope
- 1 Samuel 28:24-25 - “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. And they rose and went away that night.”
- But there was another last supper centuries later
- Mark 15:34: “And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?’ which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’”
- Jesus, at His last supper and crucifixion, was forsaken on our behalf.
- Saul’s story should humble us to recognize our own need for grace—Christ was forsaken so we do not have to be.