So Saul disguised himself and put on other garments and went, he and two men with him. And they came to the woman by night. And he said, “Divine for me by a spirit and bring up for me whomever I shall name to you.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Saul, desperate for guidance, doesn't just ask for a message from God, but specifically seeks to divine by a spirit and bring up a deceased prophet. This reveals how far he'd fallen, actively pursuing forbidden magic rather than the living God who had abandoned him due to his disobedience. His fear and pride led him to seek answers from the dead, a path directly against God's commands.
So Saul disguised himself and put on other garments and went, he and two men with him. And they came to the woman by night. And he said, “Divine for me by a spirit and bring up for me whomever I shall name to you.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
King Saul is desperate. Having been abandoned by God and facing a massive Philistine army, he's tried everything else, including consulting prophets and seeking dreams, but received no answer. In his panic, he turns to a forbidden practice, seeking out a medium at Endor to summon the spirit of the deceased prophet Samuel, hoping for some kind of guidance or reassurance before the impending battle.
Imagine a king, once chosen by God and loved by his people, now sneaking around in the dead of night. What drives a leader to such a low point?
Saul's actions here scream desperation. He's disguised, alone with just two men, and seeking out a 'medium' – someone the Law strictly forbade interacting with. This isn't the picture of a confident king, but a broken man.
Why the Disguise?
Saul wants to 'divine by a spirit' and bring someone up from the dead. Why go to such extreme lengths when he could have sought God?
Saul's request is chillingly direct: he wants to bypass God entirely and consult the spirit realm for answers. This is the heart of his problem.
The Root of His Problem:
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Understand the original words
qasam · Hebrew Verb
To practice forbidden arts, such as sorcery or necromancy, in an attempt to gain supernatural knowledge or control, explicitly condemned by God as an abomination.
Saul's desperate act of seeking counsel from a medium reveals his profound spiritual and political crisis. The looming Philistine threat and his own rejection by God push him to forbidden measures in a moment of utter despair.
c. 1010 BC
Saul's Death
The Philistines defeat Israel's army at Mount Gilboa, leading to the deaths of King Saul and his sons. This marks a turning point in Israelite history.
c. 1010 BC - 1003 BC
David's Reign
David is anointed king and consolidates his rule over Israel. His reign ushers in a period of greater national unity and strength.
c. 1010 BC— this verse
Philistine military threat
The Philistines, a dominant military power, frequently engage in warfare with Israel. Their ongoing threat creates a climate of fear and insecurity for the Israelites.
c. 1010 BC
Saul's increasing desperation
Following significant military defeats and the loss of divine favor, Saul is plagued by fear and despair. His actions become increasingly erratic as he seeks any means of guidance.
This passage warns against seeking out mediums and wizards, directly addressing the forbidden nature of Saul's actions in 1 Samuel 28.
Deuteronomy 18:10-12This passage explicitly condemns practices like divination and consulting the dead, providing the theological foundation for why Saul's encounter was so wrong and displeasing to God.
1 Samuel 15:23This verse highlights Saul's earlier rebellion and rejection by God, showing how his desperate act of consulting the witch of Endor was a further descent into disobedience and spiritual ruin.
1 Chronicles 10:13-14This parallel account emphasizes that Saul's demise and God's silence were a direct result of his unfaithfulness and his seeking guidance from a medium, reinforcing the severe consequences of his choices.
Saul, desperate for guidance, doesn't just ask for a message from God, but specifically seeks to divine by a spirit and bring up a deceased prophet. This reveals how far he'd fallen, actively pursuing forbidden magic rather than the living God who had abandoned him due to his disobedience. His fear and pride led him to seek answers from the dead, a path directly against God's commands.
King Saul is desperate. Having been abandoned by God and facing a massive Philistine army, he's tried everything else, including consulting prophets and seeking dreams, but received no answer. In his panic, he turns to a forbidden practice, seeking out a medium at Endor to summon the spirit of the deceased prophet Samuel, hoping for some kind of guidance or reassurance before the impending battle.
King Saul is desperate. Having been abandoned by God and facing a massive Philistine army, he's tried everything else, including consulting prophets and seeking dreams, but received no answer. In his panic, he turns to a forbidden practice, seeking out a medium at Endor to summon the spirit of the deceased prophet Samuel, hoping for some kind of guidance or reassurance before the impending battle.
"So Saul disguised himself and put on other garments and went, he and two men with him. And they came to the woman by night. And he said, “Divine for me by a spirit and bring up for me whomever I shall name to you.”" — Saul, desperate for guidance, doesn't just ask for a message from God, but specifically seeks to divine by a spirit and bring up a deceased prophet. This reveals how far he'd fallen, actively pur…
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Last reviewed October 2026