“The Witch of Endor”

“And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. And Achish said unto David, Know thou assuredly, that thou shalt go out with me to battle, thou and thy men.” (1 Samuel 28:1)

Background

In 1 Samuel 27, we learn of the weakness of David’s faith. Although, David was wise to find a place of safety for his army and family, his weakness was to not ask God what he should do.

On the other hand, God was with David, even in the land of the Philistines. The Philistines were evil and worshiped any God they felt like. Achish, the King of Gath, was happy to have David in his kingdom. Achish was aware that David had killed tens of thousands of Philistines, while Saul had only killed thousands. Achish wants a warrior like David. Thus begins the politics between Saul, King Achish, and David.

Conflict

“1 And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. And Achish said unto David, Know thou assuredly, that thou shalt go out with me to battle, thou and thy men. 2 And David said to Achish, Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do. And Achish said to David, Therefore will I make thee keeper of mine head for ever.” (1 Samuel 28:1-2)

Achish has accepted David as his advisor. David responds truthfully, but not completely. David’s response is partial in that he says he is a servant to Achish, but he never says I will always be your servant. David holds his alliance closely toward himself to God. This is where our alliance should always be.

Saul’s Problem

“3 Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land. 4 And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa. 5 And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled. 6 And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.” (1 Samuel 28:3-6)

Saul is completely alone. Saul prayed to God. God did not answer. Samuel was dead and could not advise Saul. The priests of Israel had been massacred by Saul and they were not around to advise him. David had been chased out of Israel, so he can’t advise Saul. Saul is the only person responsible for what he does. Saul needs a scapegoat. So he turns to the Witch of Endor.

The Witch of Endor

“Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.” (1 Samuel 28:7)

We do not know much of her past history, but we do know Saul had killed Witches according to the Law of Moses, “18 Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.” (Exodus 22:18) The Witch of Endor is known to practice Satanic rites to spirits known and unknown.

Now Saul disguised himself and two of his servants to seek the advice of the witch. The Witch of Endor wanted an assurance that the disguised visitor would not harm her. Saul promises to not harm her, he wants her to bring from the dead someone he wishes to speak to. Saul is no longer asking God, he is begging Satan for advice. Satan can only be at once place at a time. Satan seeks us to seek him. So Satan now works through the Witch of Endor, and Saul.

Saul wants the Witch of Endor to bring the Spirit of Samuel back.

The Spirit of Samuel Speaks

“11 Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.” (1 Samuel 28:11)

When the witch sees Samuel she speaks aloud “12 And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul.” (1 Samuel 28:12)

With this statement Saul is convinced of her ability to bring back Samuel. Saul was wanting things to be his way. The Witch had seen the spirit of Samuel come up from the Earth. That is not how a prophet like Samuel would have appeared.

“21 Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?” (Ecclesiastes 3:21)

It is not the Spirit of Samuel, it is an evil spirit of Satan to deceive Saul.

“15And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do.

16Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?

17And the LORD hath done to him, as he spake by me: for the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, even to David:

18Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the LORD, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the LORD done this thing unto thee this day.

19Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.

20Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night.” (1 Samuel 28 15:20)

Saul was terrified by the experience. So much so he didn’t even eat. His doom was at hand.

Stay Tuned…