“And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul.”
1 Samuel 28:12 is part of a significant narrative in the book of Samuel that revolves around King Saul:seeking guidance from the Lord through a medium, commonly referred to as the Witch of Endor. To fully understand this verse, it is essential to consider the context leading up to this event.
In the preceding chapters, Saul is depicted as a troubled king who has lost favour with God. The Philistines have gathered for battle against Israel, and Saul, feeling helpless and abandoned by God, is desperate for guidance. He has already tried seeking guidance from dreams, the Urim, and the prophets, but none were fruitful. Saul had expelled the mediums and spiritists from the land according to God’s command (1 Samuel 28:3). However, in a moment of desperation, he decides to consult the Witch of Endor, even though it is explicitly forbidden by God (Leviticus 19:31, 20:6, 20:27; Deuteronomy 18:10-12).
When Saul seeks the medium’s assistance, he requests that she bring up Samuel, who had died by this point. The woman initially refuses, fearing the consequences of engaging in such practices. However, Saul assures her that no harm will come to her. Reluctantly, the woman agrees, and to her astonishment, Samuel’s spirit appears before her. Overwhelmed by the supernatural encounter, she cries out loudly and addresses Saul with the realisation that the person before her is none other than Saul himself.
This verse highlights the woman’s immediate reaction upon seeing Samuel’s spirit. Her cry and subsequent accusation reveal her shock and fear upon realising the identity of the person who had come seeking her services. Saul’s presence disguised from her until that moment, as she initially presumed she was summoning someone else. The verse also emphasises Saul’s deception as he sought counsel from an illicit source, despite his previous efforts to eradicate such practices.
It is important to note that this passage does not endorse or condone the practice of witchcraft or consulting mediums. Instead, it serves as a cautionary tale, demonstrating the tragic consequences of Saul’s disobedience and his willingness to turn to forbidden means for guidance rather than seeking God’s will.
Overall, 1 Samuel 28:12 highlights the unexpected and dramatic encounter between Saul, the Witch of Endor, and the spirit of Samuel, underscoring the consequences of Saul’s disobedience and his misguided attempt to find guidance outside of God’s prescribed methods.
