8 So Saul disguised himself and put on other clothes, and he went, and two men with him; and they came to the woman by night. And he said, “Please conduct a séance for me, and bring up for me the one I shall name to you.”
1 Samuel 28:8 (New King James Version)
2006-08-01 14:45:17 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Magic The Jews seem early to have consulted the teraphim (q.v.) for oracular answers (Jdg 18:5, Jdg 18:6; Zac 10:2). There is a remarkable illustration of this divining by teraphim in Eze 21:19. We read also of the divining cup of Joseph (Gen 44:5). The magicians of Egypt are frequently referred to in the history of the Exodus. Magic was an inherent part of the ancient Egyptian religion, and entered largely into their daily life. All magical arts were distinctly prohibited under penalty of death in the Mosaic law. The Jews were commanded not to learn the "abomination" of the people of the Promised Land (Lev 19:31; Deu 18:9). The history of Saul's consulting the witch of Endor (1 Sam. 28:3-20) gives no warrant for attributing supernatural power to magicians. From the first the witch is here only a bystander. The practice of magic lingered among the people till after the Captivity, when they gradually abandoned it. It is not much referred to in the New Testament. The Magi mentioned in Mat 2:1 were not magicians in the ordinary sense of the word. They belonged to a religious caste, the followers of Zoroaster, the astrologers of the East. Simon, a magician, was found by Philip at Samaria (Acts 8:9-24); and Paul and Barnabas encountered Elymas, a Jewish sorcerer, at Paphos (Act 13:6). At Ephesus there was a great destruction of magical books (Act 19:18, Act 19:19).
2006-08-01 20:04:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is important to note that King Saul is not the same as Saul of Tarsus who became the apostle Paul. In case any others may have been confused. King Saul had already disobeyed God. The Prophet Samuel had already said that the kingdom would be taken away from him and that David would be the next king. At this point Saul has been trying to kill David for some time. Saul does not have a prophet to turn to, so he turns to a pagan. God uses the witch to deliver the message from Samuel. In the battle against the Philistines, Saul is killed, just as Samuel foretold.
2006-08-01 15:10:55 · answer #2 · answered by unicorn 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When Israel’s first king, Saul, had to face up to a decisive battle with the Philistines, “he became afraid, and his heart began to tremble very much.” Saul felt in need of help, but Jehovah would not answer the unfaithful king. Saul then ordered: “Seek for me a woman who is a mistress of spirit mediumship, and I will go to her and consult her.” The result? Talking through the medium, the supposed spirit of the deceased prophet Samuel told the troubled king: “Jehovah will also give Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me.”
People of the world, lacking such faith, often seek guidance from sources that only worsen their situation. That is what King Saul of ancient Israel did. Because of having sinned against Jehovah, Saul was cut off from all divine communication. As he put it, “God himself has departed from me and has answered me no more, either by means of the prophets or by dreams.” About to face the Philistines in battle, Saul desperately wanted some direction about what he should do. (1 Sam. 28:15) So, instead of humbly begging Jehovah God for forgiveness, he turned to spiritism for help. Contrary to the Law that he as an Israelite was under obligation to obey, he consulted a spirit medium.
Was Saul, in this case, actually brought in touch with the dead prophet Samuel? How could this be, for the Bible links silence, not talking, with death? We read: “The dead themselves do not praise Jah (Jehovah), nor do any going down into silence.”—Psalm 115:17.
2006-08-01 16:24:13 · answer #3 · answered by BJ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When he did that the Spirit of God had left him. He was a lost man trying to find answers from Samuel. 1 Samuel 16: 14 But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.
2006-08-01 14:53:40 · answer #4 · answered by Ray W 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
King Saul disobeyed God & lost favor from God. He had moments where He prophesied. King Saul suffered the consciquences of his disobedience though. King Saul did other wrong things also, like try to kill David.
2006-08-01 14:53:44 · answer #5 · answered by t a m i l 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How do you expect to understand the Bible if you don't read the full chapters nor verses. You write it incomplete for your own convenience of course.
People shouldn't even bother to explain anything to you. If you are so interested in what the Bible says go to a Bible Study Class.
Maybe you will convert from asking so many questions, HAHAHAHA that would be hilarious.
2006-08-01 15:00:42 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
King Saul, stopped listening to God and felt he had to trust in a witch. The witch then foretold a future that was not too good. She was very scared of the spirit.
2006-08-01 14:50:12 · answer #7 · answered by Searcher 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Saul was in disobedience to God. He knew David was going to be kind and yet he refused to get in agreement with God. He was sinning and God had to deal with him. Yes, he was getting a witch to conduct a seance for him: conjuring, which the Bible forbids.
2006-08-01 14:51:30 · answer #8 · answered by mom of four 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That was Whoopi Goldberg trying to contact Patrick Swayze. Same story, plot, different characters.
2006-08-01 16:23:39 · answer #9 · answered by peppermint_paddy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Apparently, he was desperate. He wanted info from God, that he had gotten in the past, thru Samuel; who was dead then
2006-08-01 14:57:31 · answer #10 · answered by jefferyspringer57@sbcglobal.net 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋