1 Samuel 28:3
Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had put the mediums and the necromancers out of the land.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
It's easy to skim over, but notice that Saul himself had previously driven out the very people he's about to consult. This shows the desperation and fear that has overtaken him, pushing him to defy his own past decrees and God's clear commands in his final hour.
Just before this, King Saul was facing a massive Philistine army, feeling completely abandoned by God and trembling with fear. He'd previously driven out all known spirit mediums and sorcerers, following what he thought were God's commands. This verse sets the stage for Saul's desperate, forbidden act of trying to contact the deceased prophet Samuel, even though he'd outlawed such practices himself.
Saul had once actively purged mediums and sorcerers from Israel. What changed?
From Purger to Practitioner
It’s striking that Saul, who had previously driven out these forbidden practitioners, is now turning to one in his darkest hour. This wasn't just a casual oversight; it was a dramatic departure from a command he himself had enforced.
A Pattern of Rebellion
This act reveals a deep-seated rebellion in Saul's heart. He started out with so much promise, even being praised for removing those who consulted the dead. Yet, his later choices show a pattern of disregarding God's clear commands when it suited him or when he felt cornered.
The Cost of Ignoring God
When we push God to the sidelines, even after we've experienced His guidance, we become susceptible to seeking help from forbidden sources. Saul’s journey is a stark reminder that obedience isn’t a one-time act, but a continuous choice.
Samuel, Israel's trusted leader, is gone. How does this spiritual vacuum impact Saul?
The Absence of Divine Counsel
Samuel was God's chosen mouthpiece for Israel, and his death left a huge void. For Saul, this meant the direct line to God’s guidance was severed. He could no longer seek counsel through prayer or the prophet.
A Forbidden Alternative
In his desperation and the absence of God’s clear word, Saul turned to forbidden means. The desire for answers – especially about the impending battle with the Philistines – was so strong that he resorted to seeking information from the dead, a practice explicitly forbidden.
Spiritual Leadership Matters
This highlights the critical importance of spiritual leadership and consistent access to God's Word. When we lack that connection, the temptation to seek answers in ungodly ways becomes immense.
Understand the original words
shemu'el · Hebrew Proper Noun
The last judge of Israel and a significant prophet who anointed the first two kings of Israel; he represents the prophetic voice that mediates God's word to the people and the monarchy.
ob · Hebrew Noun
Individuals who claim to consult spirits of the dead, usually to obtain information or predict the future; the Bible strictly prohibits this practice as it is an attempt to bypass God's sovereign authority.
yidde'oni · Hebrew Noun
Practitioners of magic or divination who claim to communicate with the deceased; their practices are condemned in Scripture as rebellion against the Lord and participation in forbidden occult activities.
Saul's desperate act of consulting a medium, violating his own laws, highlights his deep spiritual and political crisis following the death of Samuel and the threat of the Philistines.
c. 1015 BC— this verse
Death of Samuel
Samuel, the last of the great judges and a pivotal prophet and leader, dies. His death marks a significant transition for Israel, leaving a leadership void.
c. 1015-1010 BC
Saul's Reign Continues
Saul's reign is marked by increasing instability and his rejection by God. He struggles to maintain control over the kingdom and faces ongoing conflict with the Philistines.
c. 1010 BC
Philistine Military Buildup
The Philistines amass a large army, posing a significant threat to Saul and the united monarchy of Israel. This sets the stage for a major confrontation.
c. 1010 BC
Saul's Desperation at Endor
Facing the overwhelming Philistine army and feeling abandoned by God, Saul desperately seeks forbidden spiritual counsel from a medium, defying his own earlier decree.
This passage directly forbids seeking out mediums and necromancers, explaining the spiritual basis for Saul's earlier actions and the gravity of the practice.
Deuteronomy 18:10-12This scripture outlines the specific prohibitions against divination and sorcery, further clarifying why Saul had initially expelled these practitioners and highlighting the displeasing nature of such acts to God.
1 Samuel 15:23This verse shows Saul's earlier rebellion against God's command, which is described as akin to the sin of 'divination,' demonstrating a pattern of spiritual disobedience that likely contributed to his later desperate actions.
Isaiah 8:19This passage criticizes people who consult spirits and mediums, calling them 'weak and numerous,' which echoes the futility and danger of seeking forbidden knowledge that Saul was about to engage in.
It's easy to skim over, but notice that Saul himself had previously driven out the very people he's about to consult. This shows the desperation and fear that has overtaken him, pushing him to defy his own past decrees and God's clear commands in his final hour.
Just before this, King Saul was facing a massive Philistine army, feeling completely abandoned by God and trembling with fear. He'd previously driven out all known spirit mediums and sorcerers, following what he thought were God's commands. This verse sets the stage for Saul's desperate, forbidden act of trying to contact the deceased prophet Samuel, even though he'd outlawed such practices himself.
Just before this, King Saul was facing a massive Philistine army, feeling completely abandoned by God and trembling with fear. He'd previously driven out all known spirit mediums and sorcerers, following what he thought were God's commands. This verse sets the stage for Saul's desperate, forbidden act of trying to contact the deceased prophet Samuel, even though he'd outlawed such practices himself.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about 1 Samuel 28:3 is available in the Sola app.
"Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had put the mediums and the necromancers out of the land." — It's easy to skim over, but notice that Saul himself had previously driven out the very people he's about to consult. This shows the desperation and fear that has overtaken him, pushing him to defy…
