1 Samuel

1 Samuel 28: Saul asks the dead for help

Begin in prayer

Before we hear how Saul asks the dead for help, and learn that the LORD does what He has said, let us pray together. Ask Him to keep us listening to His Word alone, and to show us Jesus.

shouldn’t a people consult with their God? Should they consult the dead on behalf of the living?

Isaiah 8:19

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You do what You have said, and help us to trust Your Word and not to look elsewhere. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The Philistines gathered for battle, and when Saul saw their army he was afraid, because the LORD did not answer him by dreams or prophets. Saul had removed the mediums from the land, yet he disguised himself and went by night to a woman at Endor. He asked her to bring up Samuel, and when she saw Samuel, she cried out, and Saul bowed to the ground. Samuel asked why Saul had disturbed him, and he said the LORD had torn the kingdom from Saul and given it to David. He said Saul had not obeyed the LORD, and that Israel would fall to the Philistines. Saul fell to the ground in fear, and the woman made him a meal, and they went away that night.

As you read 1 Samuel 28, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD does what He has said, and the dead cannot change it.

The Philistines gathered at Shunem, Israel camped at Gilboa, and Saul saw their army and his heart trembled (verses 4 and 5). The LORD did not answer Saul by dreams, by the Urim, which the priest used to ask Him, or by prophets (verse 6). Saul had put the mediums out of the land, as God's law said (verse 3 and Deuteronomy 18 verses 10 and 11). Yet he disguised himself and went by night to a woman at Endor who was a medium (verses 7 and 8). The text says the woman saw Samuel, and Samuel said the LORD had done as He spoke by him (verses 12 to 17). The LORD had torn the kingdom from Saul because he did not obey about Amalek (verses 17 and 18). Tomorrow Saul and his sons would be with Samuel, and Saul fell to the ground terrified (verses 19 and 20). The LORD does what He has said, and the dead cannot change it.

How does 1 Samuel 28 show us that the LORD does what He has said, and that the dead cannot change it?

Saul turns from the LORD to the dead.

Saul had put the mediums out of the land, as God's law told Israel to do (verse 3). When the LORD did not answer, Saul went by night to a medium and asked for Samuel (verses 6 to 11). God's law says no one should consult the dead (Deuteronomy 18 verses 10 and 11). Saul asked the dead because the LORD had stopped answering him (verse 15). Scripture later says Saul died for his unfaithfulness, and for asking a medium (1 Chronicles 10 verses 13 and 14).

The LORD keeps His word.

Samuel told Saul that the LORD had done as He spoke by him (verse 17). The LORD had torn the kingdom out of his hand and given it to David (verse 17). The reason was the same as before, that Saul had not obeyed about Amalek (verse 18). It was the message of chapter 15, and nothing the woman did could change it.

Jesus is the Living One who holds the keys of death.

Saul fell full length on the ground, terrified and without strength, because he had eaten nothing all day and night (verse 20). The woman and his servants urged him to eat, and he did (verses 21 to 25). Jesus is the Living One, who died and is alive forever, and He holds the keys of death (Revelation 1 verse 18).

Memorise

Yahweh has done to you as he spoke by me. Yahweh has torn the kingdom out of your hand, and given it to your neighbor, even to David.

1 Samuel 28:17

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, when I am afraid, where do I look for answers?

Saul asked the dead for help, and Samuel said, “Yahweh has done to you as he spoke by me.” The LORD's word stood, and the dead could not change it.

We often look in the wrong places for help when we are afraid. God's word says sin must be judged. Jesus bore the sin of His people on the cross, and He rose from the dead. Only the Lord Jesus holds the keys of death, and His word of forgiveness cannot be undone.

Do not look to the dead for answers. Listen to the Living One. Turn from your sin, and put your trust in Jesus. Everyone who trusts Him will have forgiveness, and life that death cannot end.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD does what He has said, and that Jesus is the Living One. Parents, explain verses 7 to 9 in your own words, and tell them God forbids seeking the dead. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He does what He has said, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

The dead don’t praise Yah, neither any who go down into silence; But we will bless Yah, from this time forward and forever more. Praise Yah!

Psalm 115:17-18

Father, You do what You have said, and no one can change Your Word. Forgive us for seeking help in the wrong places, and turn us to Your Word. Thank You that Jesus is the Living One who has the keys of death. Help us to trust You alone this week. Amen.