But David
said to Abishai, “Do not destroy him; for who can stretch out his hand against
the LORD’S anointed, and be guiltless?” 1st Samuel 26:9 (NKJV)
The narrative of Saul tells us of Samuel’s sorrow over the king’s failures. He mourned to such a point the LORD finally reproached the prophet saying, “How long will you mourn over Saul?” then sent him to anoint David as king (1st Samuel 16:1). The LORD still protected Saul from harm as he had been in David’s power to kill him twice (1st Samuel 24:3-4, 26:1-12). Both times David withheld his hand from touching Saul in respect to God’s anointing him as the king of Israel. He trusted God to judge Saul rightly.
After
Samuel’s death Saul’s wrath and disobedience increased. As he withdrew his
obedience the LORD withdrew His help, leaving the man desperate to hear from
Him and desperate people do desperate and dangerous things.
The king
went against the commandment of the LORD to have nothing to do with soothsayers,
diviners, mediums, those that consult the spirits of the dead, or use
witchcraft (white or black magic). Ones engaging in these practices were worthy
of death (Leviticus 20:27). As there was an imminent battle with the
Philistines brewing, and God was silent, Saul was frantic for some leading from
the LORD and went to a witch in the village of En Dor, a medium, to call up
Samuel from the dead.
The woman
did not know it was Saul and asked, “Who shall I bring up for you?” Saul said,
“Bring up Samuel for me.” (1 Sam 28:11-12). When the witch saw it was Samuel
she screamed and knew it was Saul and that she faced punishment. As Scripture
is clear that it is appointed for us once to die and then the judgment (2nd
Corinthians 5:8, Luke 16:24) the only “spirits” anyone can be in contact with
are satanic beings masquerading as humans to lead the gullible into error. So, who appeared to Saul? Was it actually Samuel, or a demonic being sent to deceive?
The debate still
revolves around this issue, and it remains split. My late brother and I strongly disagreed on this. He believed this was a demonic being acting as Samuel. I believe the evidence is more
in favor that it was Samuel as nowhere in Scripture does it correct the reader
to believe otherwise in something God strictly forbade.
I believe
God allowed this as a onetime judgment against Saul. Whether it was or was not
Samuel is a matter of personal conjecture. After weighing the evidence,
disagreement does not affect our salvation, nor should it separate us in our
fellowship with one another. It is one of those gray areas of biblical exegesis.
We will know the truth one day.
We must be
warned, though, that even today anything that involves occultic practices, spiritism, fortune telling, Ouija
boards, tarot cards, or dealing with ‘souls of the dead’ is to be shunned and
not touched in any way. These occultic practices can open the door to demonic intrusion into our lives and households and are an abomination to God (Deuteronomy 18:12). Trust in Him alone.
Samuel was
angry he had been disturbed. Saul did get the word he was hoping for from the Lord, and the word he got was not
to his liking. Samuel told him by the same time the next day Saul would be dead.
He had a
kingdom given to him with the chance to be blessed and prospered by obedience
to God. He had it all and could have bequeathed his legacy to his children.
Instead, it was taken from him and given to another. Consistent disobedience
brings consistent distress, and to the believer, the Father’s love brings
discipline, correction and reconciliation.
Jesus says
for us to seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness first and the rest will be
added to us (Matthew 6:33). Obedience brings peace and rest, peace of mind in a
conscience at ease and peace and rest in body and soul, and spirit.
Saul paid
the piper as king, but always danced on the fence. We must remember 98%
obedience to God is 100% disobedience. When we obey, the only dancing we can do
is with joy. When we seek His kingdom and righteousness first, He brings us His
peace, love, and joy like an ocean. No fences needed.
Ken
