Introduction

First Samuel 28 records one of Scripture's most disturbing scenes—King Saul, rejected by God, desperately consulting a medium to summon the dead prophet Samuel. This chapter presents the final collapse of Saul's spiritual condition. Having been abandoned by legitimate means of divine guidance (dreams, prophets, and Urim), Saul turned to the very occult practices he himself had banned. The appearance of Samuel and the terrifying pronouncement of imminent death make this one of the Bible's darkest moments.

The Crisis and Saul's Terror (Verses 1-6)

[1-2] The Philistines gathered their forces for war against Israel. Achish told David, "Understand that you and your men are to go out with me in the army." David was now caught in the trap his deception had created—he was expected to fight against Israel. He replied ambiguously: "Very well, you shall know what your servant can do."

[3] Samuel was dead—noted again for emphasis—and buried at Ramah. Saul had previously expelled mediums and necromancers from the land, following the Law's commands (Deuteronomy 18:10-12">Deuteronomy 18:10-12).

[4-5] The Philistines encamped at Shunem; Saul gathered Israel at Gilboa. When Saul saw the Philistine army, "he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly." The king who had been head and shoulders above all Israel was now paralyzed with fear.

[6] Saul inquired of the LORD, but "the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets." Every legitimate channel of divine guidance was closed. God had fully withdrawn from Saul.

Saul Seeks the Medium (Verses 7-14)

[7-8] In desperation, Saul commanded his servants: "Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her." They knew of one at Endor. Saul disguised himself, put on other garments, and went by night with two men—a stark picture of how far he had fallen.

[9-10] The woman was initially suspicious—Saul had banned her practice on pain of death. Saul swore by the LORD (tragically invoking the God who had rejected him) that no punishment would come to her.

[11] Saul requested: "Bring up Samuel for me." The woman agreed.

[12-14] When she saw Samuel, the woman cried out and immediately recognized her client: "Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!" Saul assured her of safety and asked what she saw. She described "a god coming up out of the earth"—an old man wrapped in a robe. Saul "knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground and paid homage."

Samuel's Pronouncement of Doom (Verses 15-19)

[15] Samuel was not pleased: "Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?" Saul explained: "I am in great distress, for the Philistines are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no more, either by prophets or by dreams. Therefore I have summoned you to tell me what I shall do."

[16-17] Samuel's response was devastating: "Why then do you ask me, since the LORD has turned from you and become your enemy?" The LORD had done exactly what He spoke through Samuel—torn the kingdom from Saul and given it to David.

[18] The reason was repeated: "Because you did not obey the voice of the LORD and did not carry out his fierce wrath against Amalek, therefore the LORD has done this thing to you this day."

[19] The final pronouncement was terrifying: "Moreover, the LORD will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me. The LORD will give the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines." Defeat, death, and the deaths of his sons—all in one day.

Saul's Collapse (Verses 20-25)

[20] Saul immediately fell full length on the ground, "filled with fear because of the words of Samuel." He had no strength—he hadn't eaten all day and all night.

[21-22] The woman came to him, saw his terror, and urged him to eat. She had risked her life to help him; now let her provide food so he could have strength to travel.

[23-25] Saul refused, but his servants and the woman pressed him. Finally he rose and sat on the bed. The woman quickly slaughtered a fattened calf and baked unleavened bread—a hurried meal for a condemned king. Saul and his servants ate, rose, and went away that night.

Key Takeaways

• When God withdraws, desperation leads to sin — Saul turned to the very practices he had banned. Spiritual emptiness drives people toward spiritual counterfeits.
• Occult practices do not substitute for obedience — Saul sought information from the dead because he wouldn't hear from the living God. There are no shortcuts around repentance.
• God's judgment stands — Samuel's message brought no new hope, only confirmation of what Saul already knew. Delayed judgment doesn't mean cancelled judgment.
• Sin's consequences extend to others — Saul's sons would die with him. Leadership failure has generational impact.

Reflection Questions

1. When legitimate sources of guidance seem silent, what substitutes are you tempted to pursue?
2. Saul swore by the LORD even while committing an act the LORD forbade. How do we recognize religious language masking disobedience?
3. The woman who practiced a forbidden art showed kindness to Saul in his distress. What does this suggest about the complexity of people and situations?
4. How does this chapter warn against waiting until crisis to seek God rather than maintaining ongoing relationship?