1 Samuel 28

Comment:

I am not going to copy out the entire chapter, since it is quite long. It’s also a bit confusing; it’s out of place chronologically, fitting more logically after Chapter 30. And, as in much of 1 Samuel, it represents an attempt to blend two different versions of the history (known as the Early Source and the Late Source) that are often at odds.

The basic story is that Saul has been praying for guidance from the Lord of his being, and has received no reply. So he turns to a human medium, the witch of Endor, and asks her to bring back the spirit of Samuel, who had recently died. (Such divination was not uncommon, and had not yet been forbidden, as in Deuteronomy 18.) Samuel does indeed return, but his message is not one that Saul wants to hear. The Lord has turned against you, Samuel tells the king, and your reign is basically over. 

It is always dangerous for us to turn to outside guidance instead of trusting our personal relationship with the indwelling Lord, the Christ, which is our true relationship to the divine. That divine guidance is always available, unless our own choices and misplaced faith are blocking our access. It may seem that God has left us, but that is not possible; we are one with the Divine, always. No mortal intervention is needed or effective, unless it reminds us, as Samuel does here, that our guidance comes from within.

Blessings!

Rev. Ed