1 Samuel - Odessa, Missouri Community of Christ

106 Dr. Constable's Notes on 1 Samuel 2007 EditionSaul's attempt to secure divine guidance from a medium 28:3-25The story involving Saul's meeting with the "witch" of En-dor is one of the best known in1 Samuel. It contains some unique events that have troubled Bible students for manyyears. Again the spotlight of revelation turns back to Saul from David. We see here thespiritual insensibility of Saul due to his departure from God."This visit to the medium of Endor is cited by the Chronicler as proofpositive that Saul deserved the judgment that fell on him at Gilboa (1 Ch.10:13)." 296The threat of Philistine attack 28:3-7Samuel's death and the mention of Saul's commendable removal of mediums andspiritists prepare for what follows (cf. Lev. 19:3; Deut. 18:11). Mediums are people whocommunicate with the dead, and spiritists are those who communicate with evil spirits.The terms always go together in the Old Testament indicating the close relationship thatexists between these activities. The Mosaic Law prescribed death for mediums andspiritists because God promised to give His people all the information He wanted them tohave about the future from prophets (Deut. 18). It was unwise, even dangerous andtherefore forbidden, for them to seek more information from these other sources.Shunem stood on the south slope of the hill of Moreh that occupied part of the easternend of the Jezreel plain in Issachar's territory. Gilboa lay opposite it to the south and wasreally the name of a mountain. This was the same area where Gideon had routed theMidianites (Judg. 7)."The wording of this introduction (28:4f.) is notable, for it is stronglyreminiscent of two other fateful confrontations between Saul and thePhilistines, the first at Michmash/Gilgal (13:5f.), the second at Socoh/Elah(17:1f., 11)." 297Saul again feared the Philistines (v. 5). If this enemy succeeded, they would cut Israel inhalf geographically. God gave Saul no guidance in response to his prayers. Since Saulhad refused to listen to God in the past (chs. 13; 15), God now refused to listen to him (cf.v. 18). He gave the king no revelation about how to proceed. Normally when peoplerefuse to pay attention to the word of God, it becomes increasingly difficult for them tohear the word of God (cf. Jer. 7:13-16).Verse 6 says that God did not answer Saul by Urim. Abiathar, the priest, had taken theUrim and Thummim and joined David some time before this event (22:20;23:6-12). SoSaul did not have access to it now. Perhaps this verse means that even when Saul did296 Gordon, I & II Samuel . . ., p. 192.297 Gunn, The Fate . . ., p. 108.