If God would not speak to Saul through Samuel when he was alive, why would He permit Samuel to speak for Him when he was dead?) God, who no longer answered Saul's inquiries, cannot be supposed willing to allow Samuel to be His spokesman through the device of divination.
The medium quickly perceives that the disguised individual is Saul, and she questions his deception (1 Samuel 28:12). Saul again reassures her of no punishment and desires to know what she has seen. The woman explains the appearance of an old man clothed in a cloak. Saul acknowledges him as Samuel and gives reverence.
This "spirit from the dead" informs Saul concerning the calamity that would come. The information expressed through the woman was already spoken by Samuel when he was alive (I Samuel 15:28; 28:17-18). Saul is reminded of his disobedience. He is sternly told that doom is waiting at his doorstep. The power of suggestion is slyly used.
The delusion then disappears, and Saul dissolves into depression. He sulks in despair without any desire for food or drink. Unbelievably, Saul does not cry to God for forgiveness. Nor does he plead for mercy concerning the error of his ways. The witch compels him to eat.
At first he refuses, but then decides to receive nourishment. Again, isn't it ironic that Saul would listen to the words of this witch; but he would not listen to the word of God? The seriousness of the situation soon dissipates, as the stomach of Saul growls. Instead of repentance and confession, Saul feasts and forgets! "(For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things)" (Philippians 3:18-19).
Clearly, a contrast is made between the word of the Lord and the words of a familiar spirit. God has given us this episode of Saul's erring ways as a warning. One must have a right relationship with God in order to hear Him clearly speak through His Word. "So Saul died for his transgression, which he committed against the Lord, even against the word of the Lord, which he kept not. And also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it; and enquired not of the Lord" (1 Chronicles 10:13-14).
Is God with you through the hard times, or are the times "hard" because God is not with you? How consistent are you in following the "voice" of your God while reading and heeding His Word? Where do you turn when the going gets rough and you are at your wit's end?
Rob Zapotoski,
SMS International Field Representative
