March 26, 2026 - 1 Samuel 28-31

I have often told the story about teaching “Intro to Old Testament” at the Baptist seminary in Bandung, Indonesia.  We were in 1 Samuel 28 and the story of Saul and the medium of En-dor.  Samuel, Saul’s trusted advisor, had died and now Saul was unsure as to whether or not he should go up to fight against the Philistines.  Now, Saul had “inquired of the LORD, [but] the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets” (28:6).  We should not be surprised for Saul had not been faithful to walk with the Lord and to honor him as he should have.  It was presumptuous on Saul’s part to think that he could essentially reject the Lord and still hear from him.  So, this medium called up Samuel’s spirit from Sheol, a practice, in the first place, that was prohibited (see Deuteronomy 18:9-14), and Samuel informed Saul, “The LORD has done to you as he spoke by me, for the LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David.  Because you did not obey the voice of the LORD . . . therefore the LORD has done this thing to you this day.  Moreover, the LORD will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines” (28:17-19).

The Bandung story?  A young lady wanted to know, “When I die and am in heaven, will people be able, like the medium did with Samuel, to call my spirit back to this world?  Once having left this world, I do not want to come back!”  Now, that’s another conversation for another day.  And it’s quite an interesting conversation.  But the lesson, for today, seems simply this:

When we walk with the Lord  [Saul was not doing so.]

in the light of his word,

what a glory he sheds on our way!

While we do his good will,

he abides with us still,

and with all who will trust and obey.   --John H. Sammis (1887)