1 Samuel 28 Saul consults the witch of Endor

… when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by the prophets. 1 Samuel 28:6

The loss of David as a military leader has seriously affected Israel.  Abner, identified as captain of Saul’s army, is never seen in battle.  Jonathan and David were Saul’s field commanders.  Now, as the Philistines assemble to fight against Israel, Saul looks desperately for help.  Samuel has died, but Saul goes to a spiritualist and demands she contact the dead prophet.  The woman is amazed when Samuel actually does appear (12-14)!  Samuel announces that Saul and his three sons will be killed in the battle the next day, and that Israel will be defeated.

 

10 And Saul swore to her by the Lord, saying, “As the Lord lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this thing.” 11 Then the woman said, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” And he said, “Bring up Samuel for me.” 12 When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice. And the woman spoke to Saul, saying, “Why have you deceived me? For you are Saul!” 13 And the king said to her, “Do not be afraid. What did you see?” And the woman said to Saul, “I saw a spirit ascending out of the earth.” 14 So he said to her, “What is his form?” And she said, “An old man is coming 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 down.

15 Now Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” And Saul answered, “I am deeply distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God has departed from me and does not answer me anymore, neither by prophets nor by dreams. Therefore I have called you, that you may reveal to me what I should do.”

16 Then Samuel said: “Why then do you ask me, seeing the Lord has departed from you and has become your enemy? 17 And the Lord has done for Himself as He spoke by me. For the Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David. 18 Because you did not obey the voice of the Lord nor execute His fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore the Lord has done this thing to you this day. 19 Moreover the Lord will also deliver Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines. And tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The Lord will also deliver the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.”

20 Then immediately Saul fell full length on the ground, and was dreadfully afraid because of the words of Samuel. And there was no strength in him, for he had eaten no food all day or all night.

 

–> Saul enquired of a witch before he went to God.  God did not answer him but through the dead prophet, He announces judgement against Saul and his sons.

Saul once did the right thing by putting the mediums and the spiritists out of the land (3).  But when he saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and went to see the medium.  He swore to her in the name of the Lord that she would not be punished for brining up a dead person.

Now I see Christian churches teaching children how to be witches — casting magic spells using wands, chanting and rituals.  Why are they not afraid of God?