1 Samuel 28:1-25
28:1-2 The precise conditions of David's self-imposed time with the Philistines are not clear. What we can see from the text is that the Philistine, Achish firmly believes that David is against Israel. David's actions have suggested otherwise but discouragement is able-enough to derail any person (even one after God's own heart, 1 Samuel 13:14). From David's life, it is important for us to glean that. Our pursuit of God must be bold and dogged even, when discouragement works to sink us like stones.
After all, we each at times are made to rusticate within discouragement. This is why God sent so much encouragement and reassurance. Keep Matthew 6:8 as a constant reminder that God knows what we need, before and more comprehensively than we know.
Matthew 10:27-31 “Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
God wants us to allow our private moments with Him to propel us forward through the broader aspects of life. He coddles us in quiet moments so that we have strength in the loud ones: to say and do what needs to be said and done as a righteous servant of God. If we take His love and instruction inward and share it outward with humanity, in any capacity as that may be, we have His power against discouragement.
We do not have to be discouraged by the absence of things or the threat of circumstances because God has ensured that He knows what we need, is willing and prepared to provide it. We do not have to fear the loss or decline of our lives because our lives are valued by the life Giver.
Do not be afraid to be dependent on Him; full of hope and trust that He will provide what we do not have and retain what we are afraid to lose. We are most fortunate to learn these lessons, David's life a reinforcement on our own experiences.
28:3 Saul is presently without an anchor, even the anchor of his own ability to reason. Lost in greed and paranoia, he desperately seeks counsel. But the one who counseled him so efficiently has died. The prophet Samuel helped Saul grow into his role as king but their bond was broken by Saul's own choice. Unable to restore that connection, he seeks what he once outlawed: a person who claims to speak with the dead. But God does not want us to commune with any spirit other than Himself.
28:4-6 The reason for Saul's increased distress is the threat of the Philistine army. God remains silent, knowing that even though Saul requests His services, he will not listen to them or follow them through. And the people who could have given Saul advice, Saul had killed.
28:7 Feeling and fearing the isolation he chose, Saul commands his servants to find a woman who claims to speak to spirits. The reason for the initial outlaw of the practice was due to Leviticus 20. God does not want His children to consult such people therefore we know there is no truth or benefit to be found through them.
28:7 Feeling and fearing the isolation he chose, Saul commands his servants to find a woman who claims to speak to spirits. The reason for the initial outlaw of the practice was due to Leviticus 20. God does not want His children to consult such people therefore we know there is no truth or benefit to be found through them.
28:8 In disguise, Saul meets with the woman and asks here to raise someone. What we need to know is that such desperation is unnecessary. An earnest child of God will always be able to reach Him. God: specifically, not some spirit through another person. A child whose ears are open to God, will always be able to hear Him respond to our questions and prayers. Saul is unwilling to be earnestly diligent and therefore... well, desperate measures are taken and once again Saul breaks God's law.
28:9 The woman is afraid that Saul (who sits before her, disguised) will condemn her for doing as he asks. She is upset and truly, this is not fair of Saul. But Saul puts himself before justice and before the law and that is his fundamental problem.
28:10 Once again pretending that his faith is honest, he promises on the Lord's name that the woman will not be punished. We know that God taught us to simply be honest, letting our yes be yes and no be no, Matthew 5:37 instead of swearing and on His name!
28:11-12 Saul then converses with something that allows itself to be identified as Samuel... but is not Samuel.
28:13-14 Saul waves aside the woman's fear to know what she sees; she describes a spirit ascending from the earth. Saul bows down to the spirit which is not Samuel.
28:15-16 The spirit is not pleased by Saul's actions. But Saul pleads his case anyway; he wants someone to tell him what to do, how to face both a fierce army and his consuming fear.
28:17 But the spirit explains that as a prophet, he was an agent of God's will. The spirit explains the reason for Saul's situation: he disobeyed God and repented not about it.
28:18-19 The spirit reminds Saul that his present situation is a direct answer to what he asked for: separation from God. Samuel goes further to inform Saul that he is right to worry. He threw away God and therefore has no protection or strength against the Philistines. Saul learns from Samuel that he and his sons will die the next day in the battle (not as punishment but as fact).
28:20 Saul is tormented by Samuel's information. Children of God know that with Him, the battle is won; and also that even in death, there is life. Saul's response is full of fear, highlighting the fact that he does know know God at all.
28:21-23 The woman takes pity on Saul; he refuses to eat, too submerged in misery to have an appetite. Ironically, if he had an appetite for bread, that is, the metaphorical bread of the Lord (John 6:35), he would not be in the position he is in. Always hunger for the word and will of God. Whenever it is proffered, consume it gratefully; for God's sustenance heals a broken spirit.
28:24-25 At the woman's prodding, Saul eats. But not the bread of the Lord. Saul was not restored by the conversation with the spirit because Saul had not been speaking with God or an agent (angel, or prophet) of God.
