1 Samuel 28
Outline
1-2 | Achish makes plans to attack Israel and asks David to join him, promising to make David’s men his guards
3-7 | Samuel’s death is lamented; Saul seeks a medium to inquire of Samuel since no one can speak for God in the land—“When Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by prophets.”
8-14 | Saul disguises himself to go to the medium in En-dor and asks to speak to Samuel; while conjuring up Samuel, she realizes that it is Saul who is before her and pleads for her life; Saul assures her safety and describes Samuel’s appearance and Saul pays homage to Samuel
15-19 | Samuel rebukes Saul from the grave; Samuel reminds Saul of his losing the kingdom and it being given to David because of the sin with regard to Amalek
20-25 | Saul is terrified; the medium offers him bread, which he does at the urging of his servants, and sends him on his way and he leaves with his men
Reflections
Saul, as always, is a man of contradictions. Earlier in his reign, he had removed all the mediums and spiritists from Israel thus keeping the laws regarding mediums and spiritists (see references below). But now, when the Lord would not answer his prayers, he again seeks out a medium.
Repeatedly, in the history of Israel and in the writings of the prophets, the leaders of Israel and Judah are rebuked for turning to human “wisdom” for guidance or for strength of wealth or might rather than trusting in the Lord. We also see in the leaders those who trusted in the Lord and were blessed as a result. They serve as our examples, both to follow and to avoid.
Proverbs 3:5-6 NASB Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.
Romans 11:33-36 NASB Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! 34 For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR? 35 Or WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN? 36 For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.
Isaiah 46:9-10 NASB “Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure’
Psalm 19 — compare the difference between vv. 1-6, the silent works of God (v3), and vv. 7-14, the sure Word of God giving direction.
Lord, forgive me for those times when I seek to follow my own way and turn to human wisdom or strength to sustain my life and guide my way. Give me wisdom to know how I should proceed and the strength of faith to trust that You will lead and provide. May Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
References1
Mediums and Spiritists | Leviticus 19:31; 20:6; 1 Samuel 28:3, 9; 2 Kings 21:6; 23:24; 2 Chronicles 33:6; Isaiah 8:19; 19:3
Astrology | Deuteronomy 4:19; 2 Kings 21:3, 5; Zephaniah 1:5; Jeremiah 8:1-2; 10:12; Daniel 2:1-4;
Spiritism | Genesis 30:27; 44:5; 2 Samuel 12:22-23; Isaiah 8:19; Ezekiel 21:18-23; Daniel 5:7-8; Micah 3:7; 5:12; Nahum 3:3-4; Zechariah 10:2; Acts 8:9-11; Revelation 2:8
Séance / Sorcery | Exodus 4:1-5; 7:6-12; 22:18; Numbers 24:1; 1 Samuel 9:8-9; 28:5-20; 2 Samuel 12:22-23; 2 Kings 23:24; Isaiah 14:9-10; 44:25; 65:11; Jeremiah 27:9-15; Ezekiel 13:20; Daniel 2:1-4; 5:7-8; Acts 8:9-11
Fortune-telling | Genesis 44:5; Deuteronomy 18:9-13; Ecclesiastes 7:14; Isaiah 65:11; Daniel 2:24-49; Acts 16:16-19
Divination | Genesis 44:15; Numbers 22:7; Deuteronomy 18:14; 1 Samuel 6:2; Jeremiah 23:33-40; 27:9; Ezekiel 13:22-23; 21:18-23; Zechariah 10:2
Magic and Magicians | Genesis 30:27; 41:1-24; 44:5; Exodus 7:8-12, 22; 8:1-19; 9:11; Isaiah 2:6-8; Jeremiah 23:33-40; Ezekiel 13:18,20; Daniel 1:20; 2:1-13, 27; 4:4-7, 9; 5:11; Acts 8:9-11; 13:6,8; 19:19; Revelation 20:10; 21:8
1((NASB) Topical Reference Bible; Anderson; Meyers text search)
Bibliography
Anderson, Ken. The Contemporary Concordance of Bible Topics: The Entire Bible Indexed by Subject Matter. Wheaton, Ill: Victor Books, 1988. Print.
Meyers, Rick. E-Sword, the Sword of the Lord with an Electronic Edge. Franklin, TN: e-Sword, 2013.
(NASB) Topical Reference Bible. La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 2010. Print.
