© 2004 by Jerry L. Croasmun
© 2004 by Jerry L. Croasmun
"Saul then said to his attendants, 'Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her.' 'There is one in Endor,' they said."
Webster defines medium as, "A person through whom communications are supposedly sent to the living from spirits of the dead." And seance as, "A meeting or session at which a medium seeks or professes to communicate with the spirits of the dead."King Saul decided to seek out a medium or a witch. In 1 Samuel 28:7 we read, "Saul then said to his attendants, 'Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her.' 'There is one in Endor,' they said." Seeking the services of the witch at Endor was not King Saul's first mistake, but it would be one of his last.
King Saul was chosen by God to lead and serve the children of Israel as their first king. In 1 Samuel 9:17 we read, "When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the LORD said to him, 'This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern My people.'" King Saul and the children of Israel were to be different from those of other nations. In Leviticus 20:6-7 God said, "I will set My face against the person who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute himself by following them, and I will cut him off from his people. Consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am the LORD your God." (See also Deut. 18:9-13.)
It was near the end of King Saul's reign when the prophet, Samuel, died. In 1 Samuel 28:3 we read, "Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in his own town of Ramah. Saul had expelled the mediums and spiritists from the land." And in Leviticus 19:31 we read, "Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God." King Saul clearly knew God's commands regarding witches or mediums, but he chose to do things his way, anyway.
Despite God's commands, King Saul went looking for trouble. Like many who do evil deeds, he went at night to consult the witch at Endor. He even tried to hide his true identity by putting on a disguise or costume. In 1 Samuel 28:8 we read, "So Saul disguised himself, putting on other clothes, and at night he and two men went to the woman. 'Consult a spirit for me,' he said, 'and bring up for me the one I name.'" King Saul's request was for the medium or witch to conduct a seance and to contact the spirit of the prophet, Samuel.
In verse 14, King Saul asks the witch of Endor, "'What does he look like?' he asked. 'An old man wearing a robe is coming up,' she said. Then Saul knew it was Samuel, and he bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground." This description of Samuel was very familiar to King Saul.
In 1 Samuel 15:27-28 we read, "As Samuel turned to leave, Saul caught hold of the hem of his robe, and it tore. Samuel said to him, 'The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today and has given it to one of your neighbors--to one better than you.'" According to 1 Samuel 15:35, this was the last time King Saul saw Samuel alive. King Saul's downfall was not caused by the witch of Endor or the seance, but rather it was a result of his rebellion and disobedience towards God.
Obedience is better than sacrifice. In 1 Samuel 15:22-23 we read, "But Samuel replied: 'Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination [witchcraft], and arrogance [stubbornness] like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you [Saul] as king.'"
"Saul died because he was unfaithful to the LORD; he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse."--1 Chronicles 10:13-14.
My prayer is that we would learn from the life and mistakes of King Saul. Lord, help us to not seek or consult those things, which are contrary to Your word. We ask also for strength to repent and we ask for Your forgiveness for the times when we have disobeyed or rebelled against You. May You, Lord our God, find us faithful as we seek Your face and strive to live by Your word. Amen.
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