“And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto thee.”
This verse is part of a larger narrative that describes the desperate state of King Saul of Israel. Saul was facing a military threat from the Philistines:he was fearful and uncertain about the outcome of the battle. In his desperation, he sought guidance from a medium, also known as a witch or a necromancer.
In this particular passage, Saul disguised himself and went to consult a woman with a familiar spirit:The term “familiar spirit” refers to a spirit that supposedly assists or communicates with a witch or medium. Saul requested that the woman use her familiar spirit to bring up the deceased prophet Samuel from the dead:so that Saul could inquire about the outcome of the upcoming battle.
It’s important to note that seeking guidance from a medium or practicing divination was strictly forbidden by the Law of Moses (Leviticus 19:31, Deuteronomy 18:10-12:) God had commanded the Israelites to rely on Him alone for guidance and to avoid any involvement with occult practices. By seeking out a medium, Saul was directly disobeying God’s commandments:
This passage illustrates Saul’s spiritual decline and his failure as a king and leader of Israel:Instead of seeking God’s guidance through prayer and repentance, Saul turned to forbidden means in his desperation. His actions showed a lack of trust in God and a disregard for His commands.
The consequences of Saul’s actions are significant:When the medium successfully brought up Samuel’s spirit, Samuel rebuked Saul for his disobedience and prophesied his impending defeat and death in battle. Saul had sealed his own fate by disregarding God’s instructions and seeking answers from forbidden sources:
This passage serves as a warning about the dangers of seeking guidance outside of God’s will and commands. It emphasizes the importance of obedience to God’s Word:and the folly of relying on occult practices or supernatural means apart from God.
In summary, 1 Samuel 28:8 portrays King Saul’s disobedience to God’s commands by seeking the help of a medium:This passage reminds us of the significance of obedience to God’s Word and the consequences that can result from seeking guidance outside of His will. It serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of turning to forbidden practices instead of relying on God for guidance and direction.
