1 Samuel - The Coming King Sýnishorn

Saul is in dire straits as we begin the chapter, with a huge Philistine army poised to invade. He’s overwhelmed with terror (v. 5) and without the Lord’s guidance (v. 6). It seems like his kingdom is finally about to fall apart. In sheer desperation, and with utter hypocrisy (see v. 3), Saul goes to a medium to get some guidance as to what to do (see Lev. 19:31, 20:6 where this is forbidden). The medium conjures up the spirit of Samuel from the dead (vv. 8–19). 

Of course, we may have many questions about this strange event, but God’s purpose here isn’t to satisfy our curiosity. Rather the point is to expose the spiritual confusion and sense of being lost that comes from rejecting his word. This story reminds us of how defenceless and desperate we are without the word of the Lord. So, when the spirit of Samuel speaks (and there’s nothing in the story to suggest that it isn’t, in some mysterious way, the spirit of Samuel), Saul receives exactly the same word that he received earlier in 15:22–29! Effectively, prophet Samuel pronounces one more time that Saul’s kingdom is at an end, and that the Lord is about to hand him over to his enemies. 

Needless to say, this story isn’t a recommendation of spiritism, but simply a depiction of Saul’s terrible spiritual feeling of being lost. That disorientation becomes very clear in verses 20–25, where we see an overwhelmed and terrified Saul. 

Of course, we may, like Saul, know that turning away from God’s word is a bad thing to do. However, this story about Saul’s desperate sadness and spiritual confusion serves as a powerful antidote to spiritual hard-heartedness. It reminds us that when we leave God’s word behind, there isn’t much left to help us. Who wants to end up like Saul?

REFLECTION

1. Praise God for giving you the Bible. Ask him to give you a deep love for it.

2. Is there anyone you know who’s in danger of turning away like Saul? How can you help them?