CHAPTER 28

(1056 B.C.)

WAR

¹And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. And Achish said unto David, Know you assuredly, that you shall go out with me to battle, you and your men (it was probably the rapid decline of Sauls power which encouraged the Philistines to attempt once again to place their yoke upon the neck of Israel).

²And David said to Achish, Surely you shall know what your servant can do. And Achish said to David, Therefore will I make you keeper of my head for ever. (When a Christian seeks the protection and patronage of a man of the world, he must place himself and his spiritual gifts at the disposition of his protector. This is a sad and degrading bondage. This was Davids unworthy and God-dishonoring relation with Achish. In such circumstances, Satan does not fail to provide earthly honors and, accordingly, Achish makes David Captain of his bodyguard.)

³Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city (immediately in this Verse, the Holy Spirit records, Now Samuel was dead; the spiritual tide of Israel had never been worse; David was Gods only light, and now it dims low). And Saul had put away those who had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land (which he should have done!).

⁴And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa.

SAUL CONSULTS THE MEDIUM

⁵And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled (Mercy and the Grace of God had been extended to Saul for some 40 years; he had spurned each Gospel Call).

⁶And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by Prophets (it must be quickly added that Saul did not inquire of the Lord in humble Contrition and Repentance; to have truly repented, he would have to have made things right with David; that he did not do; we can only expect an answer from the Lord when we ask on Gods terms; regrettably, most do not desire to do that).

⁷Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman who has a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman who has a familiar spirit at En-dor. (Sadly, the majority of the world, through horoscopes, psychic readings, fortune-telling, and psychologists, endeavor to receive instruction, guidance, counsel, or leading. All of these, and many more that we have not named, have demon spirits as the underlying factors. Demon spirits are always the underlying agents in all false doctrine, error, or direction that leads one astray from the Word of God. The Bible forbids any trafficking with demon spirits, whether directly or indirectly.)

⁸And 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 you, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto you.

⁹And the woman said unto him, Behold, you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off those who have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land: wherefore then lay you up a snare for my life, to cause me to die? (Evidently, she didnt know that she was speaking directly to Saul.)

¹⁰And Saul swore to her by the LORD, saying, As the LORD lives, there shall no punishment happen to you for this thing. (Not only had Saul in the earlier part of his reign been earnest in his zeal for the Mosaic Law, but even now it seems as if a witch was in danger of death; for he has to take an oath before she will acknowledge that she practices any illicit art. All of this portrays the fact that the Law, no matter how zealously kept, cannot change a persons heart.)

¹¹Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto you? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.

¹²And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spoke to Saul, saying, Why have you deceived me? for you are Saul (now she recognizes the king).

¹³And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what saw you? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the Earth.

¹⁴And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man comes up; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself. (The Scripture doesnt say that Saul actually saw Samuel, but that, from her description, he perceived that it was Samuel.)

SAUL IS GREATLY DISTRESSED

¹⁵And Samuel said to Saul, Why have you disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answers me no more, neither by Prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called you, that you may make known unto me what I shall do.

¹⁶Then said Samuel, Wherefore then do you ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from you, and is become your enemy?

¹⁷And the LORD has done to him, as he spoke by me: for the LORD has rent the kingdom out of your hand, and given it to your neighbour, even to David:

¹⁸Because you obeyed not the voice of the LORD, nor executed His fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore has the LORD done this thing unto you this day.

¹⁹Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines: and tomorrow shall you and your sons be with me (shall be dead): the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines. (There is much controversy by Bible Scholars as to whether Samuel actually came up, or whether it was a demon spirit impersonating Samuel. Either could have been possible; however, this truth should be made known:

Saul received absolutely no help whatsoever from trying to communicate with the dead; likewise, all others seeking such will receive the same nothing.)

THE REACTION OF SAUL

²⁰Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night.

²¹And the woman came unto Saul, and saw that he was sore troubled, and said unto him, Behold, your handmaid has obeyed your voice, and I have put my life in my hand, and have hearkened unto your words which you spoke unto me.

²²Now therefore, I pray you, listen also unto the voice of your handmaid, and let me set a morsel of bread before you; and eat, that you may have strength, when you go on your way.

²³But he refused, and said, I will not eat. But his servants, together with the woman, compelled him; and he hearkened unto their voice. So he arose from the earth, and sat upon the bed.

²⁴And the woman had a fat calf in the house; and she hasted, and killed it, and took flour, and kneaded it, and did bake unleavened bread thereof:

²⁵And she brought it before Saul, and before his servants; and they did eat. Then they rose up, and went away that night. (Sauls namesake, Saul of Tarsus, also fell to the earth [Acts 9:4]. But how great was the contrast! The one rose and went away that night, with a deeper night in his soul, to his doom; the other rose and went his way, with a great Light in his heart, to receive the Crown of Righteousness that was laid up for him Williams.)