1 Samuel 28:3-25

28:5 | Saul experienced the kind of overwhelming terror that people feel when they are estranged from God. Those who walk with God do not need to fear anything (Ps. 27:1-3).

28:6 | The three ways to determine the will of the Lord in the OT were dreams, the Urim and Thummim, and the prophets. Saul tried all three. The original Urim was with Abiathar, who was with David, so Saul must have fabricated one for his own use. Even though Saul sought to seek the Lord, he did so in the wrong way and with a heart far from God – and he received no answer.

28:7-9 | Saul knew that consulting mediums was wrong – which is why he outlawed the practice (Lev. 19:31) – but he was so desperate for answers, he did it anyway, coming to her by night. Desperation dilutes a person’s ability to make wise decisions.

28:11-19 | The biblical writer seems to believe that the medium’s vision truly was Samuel in spirit form rather than an evil spirit. The fact that his prophecy proved true further supports this view.

28:25 | Saul accepted his impending death and did not try to change God’s mind.