1 Samuel 28

1 Samuel 28

Guzik - You and your sons will be with me does not mean that Saul was going to heaven to be with the believing dead. In the story Jesus told in Luke 16:19-31, the blessed dead and the cursed dead were both in the same general area. The believing dead were in the place of comfort known as Abraham’s bosom but the cursed were in a place of torment. Saul would be in the same general area as Samuel, but not the same specific place. Indeed the LORD will give over the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines - Notice twice (LORD will give over) we see it is not the Philistines that Saul needed to fear but it was Jehovah Who was sovereign over the Philistines and Israel. In a sense, I believe this was an opportunity for Saul to come to a genuine fear of Yahweh, to confess his iniquity and to repent. It was not too late for one thief on the cross (Lk 23:42-43+), so it was not too late for Saul. He would still die physically, just as the thief died. Israel would still be defeated. But those realities should have brought him to his senses. Sadly there is no evidence to support that Saul ever came to his senses and repented (cf 2Ti 2:24-26+)! Samuel had warned the people of this consequence in a solemn conditional statement declaring “If you will not listen to the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the command of the LORD, then the hand of the LORD will be against you, as it was against your fathers." (1 Samuel 12:15+) TSK note - there is considerable diversity of opinion, both among learned and pious men, relative to this appearance to Saul. But the most probable opinion seems to be, that Samuel himself did actually appear to Saul, not by the power of enchantment, but by the appointment and special mercy of God, to warn this infatuated monarch of his approaching end, that he might be reconciled with his Maker. There is not the smallest intimation of chicanery or Satanic influence given in the text; but on the contrary, from the plain and obvious meaning of the language employed, it is perfectly evident that it was Samuel himself, as it is expressed in 1Sa 28:14. Indeed the very soul of Samuel seems to breathe in his expressions of displeasure against the disobedience and wickedness of Saul; while the awful prophetic denunciations which accordingly came to pass, were such as neither human nor diabolical wisdom could foresee, and which could only be known to God himself, and to those to whom he chose to reveal them. QUESTION - Where did Old Testament believers/saints go when they died? (ED: I have inserted this Question not because I believe Samuel is referring to a place, but only to address the question of where Samuel was when he came up if indeed this was the actual man Samuel which I believe it was). ANSWER - The Old Testament believers went to a place of comfort and rest called “paradise” when they died. The Old Testament taught life after death and that everyone who departed from this life went to a place of conscious existence. The general term for this place was Sheol, which could be translated “the grave” or “the realm of the dead.” The wicked were there (Psalm 9:17; 31:17; 49:14; Isaiah 5:14), and so were the righteous (Genesis 37:35; Job 14:13; Psalm 6:5; 16:10; 88:3; Isaiah 38:10). The New Testament equivalent of Sheol is Hades. Luke 16:19–31 shows that, prior to Christ’s resurrection, Hades was divided into two realms: a place of comfort where Lazarus was (Abraham’s bosom or Abraham’s side) and a place of torment where the rich man was (hell). Lazarus’s place of comfort is elsewhere called “paradise” (Luke 23:43). The place of torment is called “Gehenna” in the Greek in Mark 9:45. Between paradise and hell (the two districts of Hades) there was “a great chasm” (Luke 16:26). The fact that no one could cross this chasm indicates that, after death, one’s fate is sealed. Today, when an unbeliever dies, he follows the Old Testament unbelievers to the torment side of Hades. At the final judgment, Hades will be emptied before the Great White Throne, where its occupants will be judged prior to entering the lake of fire (Revelation 20:13–15). On the other hand, when a believer dies today, he is “present with the Lord” in heaven (2 Corinthians 5:6–9). There, he joins the Old Testament saints who have been enjoying their reward for thousands of years. A resurrection awaits everyone—either a resurrection to eternal life or a resurrection to “shame and everlasting contempt” (Daniel 12:2). The Bible clearly states that New Testament saints who have died will be resurrected at the event we call the rapture of the church (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17). The Bible is less clear about when the Old Testament saints will be resurrected. It is our view that Old Testament believers will be joined to their resurrected bodies at the end of the tribulation period when Jesus returns to earth to set up His millennial kingdom (Isaiah 26:19; Hosea 13:14). GotQuestions.org 1 Samuel 28:20 Then Saul immediately fell full length upon the ground and was very afraid because of the words of Samuel; also there was no strength in him, for he had eaten no food all day and all night. afraid: 1Sa 28:5 25:37 Job 15:20-24 26:2 Ps 50:21,22 1 Samuel 28 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries SAUL FELL A BROKEN DEFEATED MAN Then Saul immediately fell full length upon the ground and was very afraid because of the words of Samuel - Saul did not debate or refute Samuel's words. He knew that Samuel had been a great prophet in life and now was a great prophet in death. His prophetic words would be fulfilled and could not be reversed. Saul's response of fear is appropriate. He had much to fear. also there was no strength in him, for he had eaten no food all day and all night - With a battle approaching Saul was physically unprepared having not eaten. 1 Samuel 28:21 The woman came to Saul and saw that he was terrified, and said to him, "Behold, your maidservant has obeyed you, and I have taken my life in my hand and have listened to your words which you spoke to me. I have: 1Sa 19:5 Jdg 12:3 Job 13:14 1 Samuel 28 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THE MEDIUM'S TESTIMONY The woman came to Saul and saw that he was terrified, and said to him, "Behold, your maidservant has obeyed you, and I have taken my life in my hand and have listened to your words which you spoke to me - The medium realizes the news to Saul is bad. Presumably she wants to be relieved of any blame for such bad news. 1 Samuel 28:22 "So now also, please listen to the voice of your maidservant, and let me set a piece of bread before you that you may eat and have strength when you go on your way." 1 Samuel 28 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries MEDIUM OFFERS SAUL FOOD So now also, please listen to the voice of your maidservant, and let me set a piece of bread before you that you may eat and have strength when you go on your way. - "It’s a sad note when a practitioner of the occult comforts the king of Israel. But they were two of the same kind; each lived in rebellion against God, and each was under judgment from the LORD." (Guzik) 1 Samuel 28:23 But he refused and said, "I will not eat." However, his servants together with the woman urged him, and he listened to them. So he arose from the ground and sat on the bed. I will: 1Ki 21:4 Pr 25:20 urged him: 2Ki 4:8 Lu 14:23 24:29 Ac 16:15 2Co 5:14 1 Samuel 28 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries SAUL REFUSES FOOD WOMAN PERSISTS URGING But he refused and said, "I will not eat." - He has just heard his death sentence and realizes that the sands of time are quickly slipping away from his mortal life. Food is not something that comes to his mind. However, his servants together with the woman urged him, and he listened to them. So he arose from the ground and sat on the bed - She makes a meal like they do for prisoners condemned to be executed, feeding them whatever they desire the day before they die! 1 Samuel 28:24 The woman had a fattened calf in the house, and she quickly slaughtered it; and she took flour, kneaded it and baked unleavened bread from it. calf: Ge 18:7,8 Lu 15:23 1 Samuel 28 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries WOMAN PREPARES MEAL FOR SAUL The woman had a fattened calf in the house, and she quickly slaughtered it; and she took flour, kneaded it and baked unleavened bread from it - This was like the death row inmates last meal - a meal fit for a king, but sadly Saul was a man who had proven he was not fit to be king! 1 Samuel 28:25 She brought it before Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they arose and went away that night. 1 Samuel 28 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries WOMAN SERVES SAUL HIS LAST MEAL She brought it before Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they arose and went away that night F B