Theme
Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and in Saul’s case, it led to the sin of witchcraft.
Introduction
As we draw quickly toward the end of Saul’s life, we discover that his rebellion against God had fruited in some pretty disgusting behaviour.
Since becoming king, Saul had been on a downward trajectory which would soon bring him to his death.
Saul’s life as king, which had begun so well, had been derailed by Saul’s own rebellion against God.
In chapter 28 we will see the final major act of Saul, prior to his death, as recorded for us in scripture.
Sermon Outline
- Saul’s Plight Preceding Witchcraft (Vs 1-8)
- Saul’s Practice of Seeking Witchcraft (Vs 9-15)
- Saul’s Predicament Following Witchcraft (Vs 16-25)
Saul’s Plight Preceding Witchcraft
(1 Samuel 28:1-8)
Since we are focusing on King Saul, our study will pick up from verse 3 in the text.
The Predicament for Saul’s Plight
(Vs 3-6)
The Philistine Threat
The predicament which preceded Saul’s seeking out the witch of Endor was an attack by the Philistines.
The Philistines gathered themselves together and pitched in Shunem while Israel camped in Gilboa.
Shunem was within the borders of the tribe of Issachar, roughly 6km north of Jezreel and 15km north-west of Mount Gilboa.
The Philistines were a constant threat throughout the reign of Saul because they desired domination of the region.
1 Samuel 28:5
“When Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled.”
Clearly, the Philistine army appeared so large that Saul felt there was no chance of defeating them.
Saul Lacked Godly Counsel
Saul had never truly been on good terms with Samuel, but now Samuel was dead and Saul felt the loss keenly.
Normally Saul would have sought Samuel’s counsel regarding the will of God.
Now Samuel was gone.
Israel had rejected Samuel while he was alive, but mourned him after his death.
Even lost people often speak highly of someone at their funeral while failing to value them during life.
God Had Stopped Speaking to Saul
Because Saul continually rebelled against God, God stopped speaking to him.
Zechariah 7:13
“Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts:”
Saul sought God’s counsel, but the rest of his life had been marked by rebellion.
Because Saul would not listen to God in earlier matters, God would not answer him now.
Saul had exhausted God’s patience and was about to reap the consequences of his rebellion.
Application for the Christian
The Christian who only seeks God when circumstances become overwhelming will often find that their help from God reflects the devotion they have shown toward Him.
A relationship with God is not a “get out of jail free” card to be used only in emergencies.
Faith in God is meant to flourish daily through fellowship and obedience.
The Particulars of Saul’s Plight
(Vs 7-8)
Saul Sought a Woman with a Familiar Spirit
Saul resorted to seeking out a woman involved in witchcraft.
Ironically, Saul himself had previously outlawed witchcraft in Israel.
Israel was supposed to seek guidance from God, not unclean spirits.
Romans 13:12
“Let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.”
If Saul had been in a right relationship with God, there would have been no need for witchcraft.
As people become more rebellious against God, they often become increasingly fascinated with occult practices and spiritual darkness.
The Witch of Endor
Saul was told of a woman with a familiar spirit at Endor.
This woman was not truly able to bring up the spirits of the dead.
Rather, demonic spirits impersonated the dead and deceived people through occult practices.
Many people today treat demonic practices lightly, not realising the spiritual danger involved.
Satan’s greatest deception is convincing people he does not exist.
Saul Disguised Himself
Saul disguised himself before visiting the woman.
If she had known he was Saul, she likely would have feared punishment because Saul had expelled witches and wizards from Israel.
Saul also travelled by night, symbolising the darkness associated with evil works.
Samuel was dead, David was absent, and God would not answer Saul.
This led Saul to seek counsel through witchcraft.
Saul’s Practice of Seeking Witchcraft
(1 Samuel 28:9-15)
Saul Practiced Deceit in Seeking Witchcraft
(Vs 9-10)
Saul deceived the woman by pretending to be someone else.
The practice of witchcraft is deceptive from the outset because people believe they can gain something from the devil without loss.
People often imagine they can control darkness without consequences, but eventually the devil gains control over them.
Mark 8:36
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”
Christians should never play with occult practices.
The Bible compares the devil to a roaring lion, and yet many foolishly treat spiritual darkness like a harmless game.
Saul Practiced Devilry in Seeking Witchcraft
(Vs 11-15)
Saul Requested Samuel
Saul demanded that the woman bring Samuel up from the grave.
The Bible never instructs believers to communicate with the dead.
The dead are beyond our sphere of influence.
The woman herself appeared frightened by what occurred, suggesting that this event differed from her usual deceptive practices.
Samuel Appeared
Samuel appeared and spoke with Saul.
Notice that Samuel came up out of the earth.
Before Christ’s atonement, Old Testament saints awaited redemption in Abraham’s bosom, also called Paradise.
Saul immediately explained his situation and sought counsel.
Saul’s Rebellion Led to Witchcraft
Saul realised too late that self-reliance would not save him.
Samuel had previously rebuked Saul:
1 Samuel 15:23
“For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft…”
Now Saul’s rebellion had literally led him into witchcraft.
Saul’s Predicament Following Witchcraft
(1 Samuel 28:16-25)
Saul Was Rebuked by Samuel
(Vs 16-18)
God Had Become Saul’s Enemy
Samuel told Saul that God had become his enemy.
Romans 8:31
“If God be for us, who can be against us?”
But what if God is against a man?
Saul’s rebellion made him a friend of the world and an enemy of God.
James 4:4
“Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”
Saul Stopped Hearing God’s Voice
Samuel explained that God no longer answered Saul because Saul had refused to obey God previously.
Sometimes people wonder why they no longer hear God speaking through Scripture.
It may be because they refuse to obey what God has already revealed to them.
Disobedience hardens the heart.
Saul Was Left Without Hope
(Vs 19-25)
Saul Was Told He Would Die
Samuel informed Saul that he and his sons would die at the hands of the Philistines the next day.
Samuel also said Saul would be with him.
This indicates Saul was still one of God’s people despite living carnally.
Saul pictures the believer who wastes their life living for themselves rather than for God.
1 Corinthians 3:15
“If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”
Saul Feared Death
The chapter closes with Saul terrified and weak.
Saul pictures the believer who approaches death with regret over a wasted life.
The Christian should not fear death because Christ carries His people safely through the valley of the shadow of death.
Yet what a tragic thing to enter eternity having lived only for self.
A Warning to the Unsaved
For the unsaved, death is even more terrifying.
To die without Christ is to enter eternity without the Saviour.
Hebrews 10:31
“It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”
Revelation 20:15
“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
Put your faith in Jesus Christ before it is too late.
Conclusion
Faith in God is not something to be treated like an insurance policy only used in difficult times.
Faith is meant to grow daily through a living relationship with God.
If you continually reject God’s voice today, the time may come when you seek His help tomorrow and find no answer because your heart has become hardened in rebellion.
For those who have never trusted Christ as Saviour, now is the time to come to Him in faith.