King Saul disguised himself and sought a treat from a witch hoping to talk with the ghost of Samuel. Instead of seeking forgiveness from God he went deeper and farther away from the Lord. Once again, he try to resolve difficulties in his own way. Saul put away those who practiced evil acts such as wizards and others with familiar spirits. Out of fear for the enemy, the Philistines, his āheart greatly trembled.ā Supposedly his efforts to inquire of the Lord proved by that time his downturn spiritually and as a King. Everything he tried was futile. Multiple times Saul had no respect for the sacred.
Without hesitation he turned to seek the support of a witch. He contradicted his own law, demonstrating the perplexities within his mind. It is questionable whether she brought out the spirit of Samuel as Saul asked. Some say it was his delusion. Others say it really was Samuelās ghost. However, that was impossible for God has authority over death. I believe it was a demon pretending to be Samuel.
Since Saul separated himself from fellowship with God long before, he sought advice from evil sources. The demon harassed Saul by reminding him that his disobedience resulted in the loss of his kingship. He was told the consequences of his actions would reach his sons. It was prophesied that they all would die soon. Not eating during that time, Saul had no strength. His only compensation was basic assessments of food from the witch. His stubbornness revealed itself by refusing the food until his own servants were persistent, causing him to comply with the spiritual enemy. Again, his cooperation reached his servants because they all ate together and then went their way into the night.
There are so many lessons learned from this last experience of King Saul. No matter how much we try to disguise ourselves, we are still the same person inside. God knows who we really are. He must always be first in our lives without any form of compromise. Menās way of doing things is flawed, subject to amendments for their own purposes. To associate with evil will only bring a message of doom. We might ask the clichĆ©, āif you feel distant from God, who moved?ā When Jesus was born, the Angels referred to him as the Prince of peace. Turmoil will always follow turning away from God. The devil is eager to present himself in the way thatās most fashionable to us. Satan wants us to eat out of his hand. Any association with evil will take us into dark paths. Saul always had his opportunity to amend his ways with true repentance without which was a physical and spiritual death. There is no substitute for the good word from God. What other lessons can you suggest?
Christian Writer 