1 Samuel 28 narrates a critical and somber episode in the life of King Saul during the Philistine threat against Israel. With the prophet Samuel dead and God silent to his inquiries, Saul resorts to f...
25
Verses
~4 min
Read Time
Samuel, Nathan, Gad
Author
c. 1050 BC - Late Reign of King Saul during the early monarchy period in Israel
Timeline
Timeline
c. 1050 BC - Late Reign of King Saul during the early monarchy period in Israel
1 Samuel 28 narrates a critical and somber episode in the life of King Saul during the Philistine threat against Israel. With the prophet Samuel dead and God silent to his inquiries, Saul resorts to forbidden necromancy by seeking a medium at Endor to summon Samuel’s spirit. The chapter reveals Saul’s desperation, disobedience, and the divine judgment pronounced through Samuel’s apparition, foretelling Saul’s downfall and the defeat of Israel. This chapter highlights the consequences of rejecting God’s guidance and the tragic decline of Israel’s first king, setting the stage for David’s rise. It underscores the importance of faithfulness to God’s commands and the futility of seeking supernatural help outside His will.
Verses 1-5: The Gathering of Armies and Saul’s Fear. The Philistines prepare for battle, and Saul assembles Israel’s forces. Saul’s fear and trembling introduce the crisis.
Verses 6-7: Saul’s Failed Inquiry of the LORD. Saul seeks God’s guidance through dreams, Urim, and prophets but receives no answer, intensifying his desperation.
Verses 8-14: Saul Consults the Witch of Endor. Disguised, Saul visits a medium to summon Samuel’s spirit. The woman is initially fearful but complies, and Samuel’s apparition appears.
Verses 15-19: Samuel’s Prophecy of Doom. Samuel rebukes Saul for disturbing him and delivers God’s judgment: Saul’s kingdom is lost, Israel will be defeated, and Saul and his sons will die.
Verses 20-25: Saul’s Reaction and Departure. Saul is terrified and weak, refuses food until compelled, and then eats before departing, highlighting his physical and spiritual collapse.
The first king of Israel, Saul is depicted here in a state of fear and desperation. His disobedience to God leads to divine silence, prompting him to seek forbidden counsel from a medium, revealing his tragic decline.
The prophet who has died but is supernaturally summoned by Saul through the medium. Samuel delivers God’s judgment against Saul, confirming the loss of his kingdom and impending death.
A woman with a familiar spirit who is consulted by Saul. Though initially fearful due to Saul’s prior actions against mediums, she complies and summons Samuel’s spirit, playing a pivotal role in the narrative.
Though silent to Saul’s inquiries, God’s sovereign judgment is communicated through Samuel’s apparition. God’s rejection of Saul underscores His holiness and justice.
The Philistines and Israelites prepare for battle, and Saul’s fear reveals his spiritual and emotional crisis.
Saul seeks God’s guidance through traditional means but receives no answer, leading to desperation.
Disguised, Saul visits a medium to summon Samuel’s spirit, an act forbidden by God.
Samuel rebukes Saul and delivers God’s judgment, foretelling Saul’s death and Israel’s defeat.
Saul is terrified and weak, refuses food until compelled, and then departs, illustrating his physical and spiritual collapse.
“And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.”
“And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou 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 answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do.”
“And the LORD hath done to him, as he spake by me: for the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, even to David:”
“Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.”
How well do you know 1 Samuel 28?
Take the QuizTrust God’s guidance and avoid seeking supernatural help outside His revealed Word.
Recognize the dangers of disobedience and the importance of repentance before God.
In times of fear and uncertainty, seek God earnestly through prayer and Scripture rather than forbidden practices.
Understand that God’s silence may be a call to deeper faith and obedience, not a license for desperation.
Avoid occult practices as they are contrary to God’s holiness and lead to spiritual ruin.
Encourage reliance on God’s appointed means of revelation—prophets, Scripture, and prayer.
This chapter vividly portrays God’s judgment on Saul for his disobedience, illustrating the seriousness of rejecting God’s commands and the consequences that follow.
Saul’s desperation leads him to violate God’s law by consulting a medium, showing how fear and lack of faith can drive believers to sinful actions.
Despite human actions, God remains sovereign, controlling the fate of kings and nations, as seen in the transfer of the kingdom from Saul to David.
The chapter condemns necromancy and occultism, demonstrating that seeking supernatural guidance outside God is both forbidden and ineffective.
This chapter is set during the late Iron Age in ancient Israel, around the time when the Philistines were a dominant military threat in the region. The political landscape was unstable, with Saul’s kingship challenged by both external enemies and internal disobedience. Consulting mediums and familiar spirits was common in surrounding cultures but strictly forbidden in Israelite law (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). The practice of Urim and Thummim, prophetic dreams, and direct prophetic communication were the accepted means for divine guidance, highlighting Saul’s spiritual crisis when these means failed him. The geographical setting includes Gilboa, where the Israelite army camps, and Endor, a location known for its necromantic practices.
Reformed theology emphasizes God’s sovereign judgment on Saul for his persistent disobedience and failure to trust God. Saul’s consultation with the medium is seen as a grave sin demonstrating his spiritual downfall and separation from God’s covenant blessings.
Dispensationalists highlight the transition from the theocratic rule under God’s direct guidance to human kingship, showing Saul’s failure as a warning about human reliance on occult practices rather than divine revelation.
Early Church Fathers often interpreted this passage as a caution against necromancy and spiritual deception, affirming the reality of the afterlife and the authority of God’s prophets, while condemning Saul’s unlawful actions.
Prohibits necromancy and consulting familiar spirits, directly relating to Saul’s forbidden action in this chapter.
Provides a summary of Saul’s death and the reasons for God’s judgment, echoing the themes of disobedience and divine rejection.
Speaks of God’s nearness to the brokenhearted, contrasting Saul’s spiritual despair and God’s mercy to the faithful.
Warns against consulting the dead and mediums, reinforcing the biblical prohibition exemplified in Saul’s story.
Emphasizes the necessity of faith to please God, highlighting Saul’s failure to trust God’s promises.
1 Samuel 28 stands as a sobering reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the futility of seeking guidance apart from God. Saul’s tragic decline, marked by fear and unlawful necromancy, contrasts sharply with God’s sovereign control and the certainty of His judgment. For believers today, this chapter calls for unwavering faith, obedience, and reliance on God’s Word and Spirit rather than forbidden or worldly means. It underscores the importance of honoring God’s commands and trusting His providence, even in times of crisis.
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