SERIES: DAVID - A MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART:
PART 10: SAUL AND THE WITCH OF ENDOR
1 SAMUEL 28: 3 Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in his own town of Ramah. Saul had expelled the mediums and spiritists from the land. 4 The Philistines assembled and came and set up camp at Shunem, while Saul gathered all Israel and set up camp at Gilboa. 5 When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid; terror filled his heart. 6 He inquired of the Lord, but the Lord did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets. 7 Saul then said to his attendants, “Find me a woman who is a medium (spiritist, sorcerer, witch), so I may go and inquire of her.” “There is one in Endor,” they said. 8 So Saul disguised himself, putting on other clothes, and at night he and two men went to the woman. “Consult a spirit for me,” he said, “and bring up for me the one I name.” 9 But the woman said to him, “Surely you know what Saul has done. He has cut off the mediums and spiritists from the land. Why have you set a trap for my life to bring about my death?” 10 Saul swore to her by the Lord, “As surely as the Lord lives, you will not be punished for this.” 11 Then the woman asked, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” “Bring up Samuel,” he said. 12 When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out at the top of her voice and said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!” 13 The king said to her, “Don’t be afraid. What do you see?” The woman said, “I see a ghostly figure coming up out of the earth.” 14 “What does he look like?” he asked. “An old man wearing a robe is coming up,” she said. Then Saul knew it was Samuel, and he bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground. 15 Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” “I am in great distress,” Saul said. “The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has departed from me. He no longer answers me, either by prophets or by dreams. So I have called on you to tell me what to do.” 16 Samuel said, “Why do you consult me, now that the Lord has departed from you and become your enemy? 17 The Lord has done what he predicted through me. The Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hands and given it to one of your neighbors - to David. 18 Because you did not obey the Lord or carry out his fierce wrath against the Amalekites, the Lord has done this to you today. 19 The Lord will deliver both Israel and you into the hands of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The Lord will also give the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines.” 20 Immediately Saul fell full length on the ground, filled with fear because of Samuel’s words. His strength was gone, for he had eaten nothing all that day and all that night. 21 When the woman came to Saul and saw that he was greatly shaken, she said, “Look, your servant has obeyed you. I took my life in my hands and did what you told me to do. 22 Now please listen to your servant and let me give you some food so you may eat and have the strength to go on your way.” 23 He refused and said, “I will not eat.” But his men joined the woman in urging him, and he listened to them. He got up from the ground and sat on the couch. 24 The woman had a fattened calf at the house, which she butchered at once. She took some flour, kneaded it and baked bread without yeast. 25 Then she set it before Saul and his men, and they ate. That same night they got up and left.
INTRO: DAVID: A MAN AFTER GOD'S OWN HEART PT. 10 SAUL & THE WITCH OF ENDOR
Summarizes Where We Are Now: This Is a Stage in King Saul’s Life That Exemplifies: 1 Samuel 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft. Galatians 6:7: Be not deceived, God is not mocked, whatsoever a man sows, that shall he reap. When you rebel against God, you bear the consequences. Unbelievably, here is King Saul with so much potential in the beginning now bowing down to a spirit, but he will not bow down to God. This is a message for young people as well as the adults. Do not be like King Saul. Series of disobedience can lead us down this same path.
1. Saul Starts Off Well: Extremely Tall & Handsome: (I Samuel 9:2). Saul Was Charismatic, Admired & Respected By The People. Saul Was Courageous in Battle (great warrior), Dutiful, Humble & Respectful (1 Sam. 9-10). He defeated the enemies of Israel - Ammonites, Philistines, Moabites, Amalekites. Only the Philistines remained a threat. In 2½ years, he united the tribes. He Was Charitable & Selfless. Per the Talmud, he gave his fortune to the poor; helped pay for needs of poor brides-to-be; paid soldiers out of personal treasury, not public funds. Saul Epitomizes Self-Sacrifice. He went to war with the Philistines after hearing the prophecy that he and his sons would be killed (I Sam. 28:19). Others would have run away. Most Of All: Filled with the Holy Ghost, prophesized, Had Samuel as prophet, etc.
2. List Of His Weaknesses / Failures: Saul’s Presumptuous Sacrifice At Gilgal (1 Samuel 13) / He refuses to kill Agag the King of Amalek / Erects Monuments For Himself / Would kill Samuel if he heard of David’s Anointing / Begins To Resent, feel insecure, Envy & Fear David / Has A Wounded Pride, Violent Temper, Spirit Of Murder / Influenced By Public Opinion / Attacks David With Javelin / Commands His Men To kill David / Tries To Kill Jonathan / Kills 85 Priests & families & Cattle in Nob / Consults Witch At Endor / No Skeletons in the Closet – Too Perfect to be human, etc.
3. Now We See Why God Chooses Differently: The people chose Saul on the basis of: Physical Stature; Popular Opinions; Hard-Headedness, Hard-Heartedness; Handsomeness; Experience, etc. But now we see him praying before a witch. How did he come to this level?
RESURGENCE IN WITCHCRAFT AND GOD’S ATTITUDE TO WITCHCRAFT & SORCERY
What’s So Unusual About It Is That Not Too Long Before Consulting The Witch – Saul had decreed that those who practiced witchcraft be put to death as God demanded:
1. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 Let no one be found among you who… practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord, and because of these detestable practices the Lord your God will drive out those nations before you.
2. Leviticus 20:6 I will set my face against the person who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute himself by following them, and I will cut him off from his people.
3. Isaiah 26:14 They are now dead, they live no more; those departed spirits do not rise…
4. Hebrew 9:27 A man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment”
5. Luke 16:19-31: The Rich Man and Lazarus – the dead are not allowed return.
Why Was Saul Killed? Two Reasons: I Chronicles 10:13 So Saul died for his trespass which he committed against the Lord because of the word of the Lord which he did not keep and also because he asked counsel of a medium, making inquiry of it.
About Witchcraft: The fastest growing religion in the US. Annual growth of 143% (1990 to 2001, from 8,000 to 134,000 – USA, Canada, Australian data). Some predict it to become the 3rd largest religion in the United States in few years behind only Christianity and Islam. Every major city in the United States has networks of Wiccans. Certain parts of the country and areas near Salem, Mass., are the strongest in the U.S.
WHY SHOULD GOD BE SO UPSET OVER SPIRITISM TO DETERMINE OUR FUTURE?
1. God Says He Hates That Kind Of Thing. Deuteronomy 18:12: Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you.
2. Satan Uses Them To Gain Control Of Us. Satan uses divination, horoscopes and the like to gain control of you and to manipulate your decisions. He can damage your life through it.
3. God Says “I’m A Jealous God”. Jesus said you can’t serve two masters – you’ll either love the one and hate the other. You’ll either look to God for your answers to the future or to the occult. That is Saul’s problem. He tried to serve two masters. He tried serving God, but when things got uncomfortable and he felt threatened, he left God and tried something else.
4. God Hates The Occult Because Those Who Accept It Reject Him. Witchcraft has found it way into churches – for miracles, growth, etc. Again, you cannot serve God and mammon.
TO SUM IT ALL UP - SAUL IS A FOOL – FROM HIS OWN MOUTH
I Samuel 26:21 Then said Saul, I have sinned: return, my son David: for I will no more do thee harm, because my soul was precious in thine eyes this day: behold, I have played the fool, and have erred exceedingly. No one likes to be called a fool. The word is derogatory. But fool has more than one meaning. Webster Collegiate Definition (Secular): FOOL - Without well-developed reason, a person who lacks the basic skills or ability to judge rightly; One who acts unwisely; a feeble-minded person; one who can be easily imposed upon, etc.
THE BIBLICAL DEFINITION OF FOOL IS NORMALLY TWOFOLD:
1. First Meaning Of Fool Is: Someone Who Sees Or Knows Right From Wrong But Prefers To Select The Wrong. Psalms 14:1: The fool has said in his heart, there is no God. Proverbs 1:7: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. I Corinthians 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. I Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
2. The Second Meaning Of Fool Is Found In Mainly The NT: Someone Who Chooses To Follow Christ And That Person Is Seen As Wasting His Or Her Life. I Corinthians 3:18: Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. I Corinthians 4:10: We Are Fools For Christ.
THREE (3) KINDS OF FOOLS
1. The Worldly Fool: They believe in this world more than God. For some of them, there is no God. But even if God exists, He does not matter. Rich Fool (Luke 12:16): He has so much money so he refuses to see any other god but his money. He says to himself: Soul, you have enough, now eat and drink and be merry. But God says today your soul is required of thee. The Rich Young Man (Mark 10) who came to Jesus for salvation. When given the requirements, he turned and went away sad because he had great possessions. Religious Fool: They say all roads lead to God. Whether you worship stones, ancestors, graven images, witchcraft, it is the same god. They go to church and believe being there has made them Christians. Moral Fool: I am good. I bother no one. I’m more controlled than people who go to church. I live a good life: Rich Man & Lazarus. There is none righteous, no not one (Romans 3:10). Grace (Ephesians 2:5). Procrastinating Fool: I still have time to decide when to get serious. 2 Cor. 6:2 Accepted time is Now. Jesus says behold I stand at door and knock. They say, I have got time like 5 foolish virgins. Educated / Influential Fool: They put their trust in their education - Ever learning and never coming to the knowledge of the truth. Solomon tried everything – vain (Eccl. 3). What is Solomon’s conclusion? Ecclesiastes 12:1 & 13-14 Fear God and keep His commandments).
2. The Carnal Fool: Neither hot nor cold – they know about God, his power, and his holiness. They have tasted of the world of life. But they prefer to play church. They are in the church but slaves of the world. They even attempt to bring the world into the church.
3. Godly Fool: This is the life of a true Christian, a child of God. The world cannot understand the true Christian. I Corinthians 4:10-13 We are fools for Christ's sake… ye are honorable, but we are despised. / Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place; / And labor, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: / Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
SAUL STATED THAT HE HAD PLAYED THE FOOL? WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
Saul Neglected His Godly Friends.
Saul Went On Enterprises For God Before God Could Send Him.
Saul Disobeyed God In Small And Big Matters.
Saul Thought He Was Doing God’s Will When He Was Not.
Saul Tried To Cover His Disobedience With Religious Excuses.
Saul Allowed Small Matters Or Jealousy To Corrupt Him.
Saul Knowingly Fought Against God.
Saul Sought To Kill David Out Of Jealousy.
Saul Turned From God And Sough Alternatives In Witchcraft.
ATTRIBUTES OF CHURCH MEMBERS TODAY WHO ARE PLAYING THE FOOL.
Those who make an experience with Jesus Christ secondary. Work & Business first!
Those who bend their faith" to suit circumstances & friends.
Those who play with sin and lower the bars: Samson - Judges 16:20 – “Spirit of Lord departed."
Those who preach one thing and practice another.
Those who backbite and destroy others.
Those who condemn others of what they are guilty of.
A LOOK AT THE PASSAGE
1. God Refuses To Speak To Saul. Because Saul does not listen to Samuel, he is doomed. The silence of God means Saul was in deep trouble. He had refused to heed the warnings of the prophet Samuel and God had quit sending him guidance. He was surrounded by his enemies who threatened to destroy his army. Even David, whom he knew would succeed him had thrown in with the Philistines. Now Samuel was dead and he couldn’t go to him for guidance from the Lord. God would not speak to him. God did not answer "by dreams or Urim or prophets."
2. Saul Had Partially Done Something Right - Expelled All The Witches & Mediums From The Land. Let us give him some little credit. He had obeyed God in this area. But this was partial obedience. A little of our past is always comes back to test us. Satan does not go away ever. He stands close by strategizing for the next attack.
3. Saul’s "Solution" To Not Hearing From God (8-11): Saul sought a witch. Saul sought to satisfy his need his own way. He wasn’t waiting for God to help - a foolish thing to do. We cannot substitute anything for God’s direction in our lives. God is a jealous God. Some Christians sometimes turn to such things as horoscopes, palm reading, Ouija boards, etc. for help. They seem innocent, but can easily lure us into trouble. God loves us and wants to provide guidance if He is allowed. In desperation, Saul sought to know God’s will by hook or crook. He asked if there were a witch around whom he might consult.
4. You Will Need God’s Help One Day - Make Way Now. The Philistine army had split the nation in half. Saul was in the south. The witch was in the north. It was necessary to disguise himself and slip through. Nor did he want the woman to recognize him. Saul finds the woman and manages to convince her to help him. Saul is ready to compromise his own convictions and his God. Compromise got him in trouble in the first place. It is dangerous to compromise God’s rules.
5. Samuel’s Sentence On Saul: 12-19: Did this woman really have power to bring one back from the grave? I think not. Only God can do that. He did it on the Mount of Transfiguration. I believe God permitted this visitation or whatever it was to reinforce His sentence on Saul and give one more chance for repentance. Samuel repeats what he told Saul when he was alive: Saul would lose the kingdom to David. Israel would be conquered by the Philistines. Saul and his sons would all die within 24 hours. The Philistine army had encamped at Shunem (Hebrew for rest & quiet). Saul’s army had camped out on Mt. Gilboa (Hebrew meaning “a sudden violent outburst or display, the act, process, or state of boiling or bubbling up, “heap of stone,” or “a heap of dung.) The Philistine army was in a place of rest while the Israelite army under Saul was camped upon a hill whose meaning “heap of stone, violent outburst”. Symbolically, the Philistines were at peace, while Saul was “in a heap of trouble” as he cried out to God for help.
6. When Anointing Is Revoked, Bearings Are Off. When your anointing is revoked, the end is never pretty. In 1 Samuel 15:1-3, Saul is told to destroy all of the Amalekites. These enemies had opposed God’s people since they left Egypt. The Amalekites didn’t have a country - nomadic, roamed around looking for a fight. In Deut. 25:17-19, God told them to remember what Amalek did to them as they came out of Egypt and wipe them out. Amalek attacked them when they were weary & hungry, weak while leaving Egypt. Saul refused. Ultimately an Amalek killed him.
CONCLUSION: WHAT DO WE LEARN FROM THIS PASSAGE?
God Has Posted This Case History In His Word For Warning, just as the highway department places signs on the roads for guidance. What is the warning that is posted? Saul once had spiritual life. He knew God and God knew him. He knew and walk in the truth. He knew prophecy. He knew the anointing. He knew what it was to be called and set apart. He knew the power and victory of God. But years later, he changed. Saul had not learned that "Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams” (1 Samuel 15:22).
1. Learn Patience: Psalm 40:31. But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. So, there are clearly times when I must chose to wait on God and trust Him even when he is silent like in this case. Saul never learned this, so he rushed to other sources. These were the same sources he clearly condemned earlier when he was walking closer to God.
2. Abandon Sin And Serve God The Right Way: Saul was a violent, selfish man. Sin can be a hindrance in the life of the unbeliever and the believer. An unbeliever shouldn’t expect to be in God’s will at all. That person needs to repent and ask forgiveness so they can begin a right relationship with God. But, a believer can live a selfish life also and many do.
3. Avoid Wrong Motives: James 4:3 We can ask with selfish motives and this in some ways goes back to sin in the life of the believer or unbeliever. Are you asking for this in order to give glory to God and honor Him? Sometimes God delays in answering us so we can examine our motives.
4. Be Careful How You Listen To Other People: Sometimes God can use or speak through other people to get our attention. But not everyone is being led by the Spirit. Sometimes in our desire to fit in or be popular or something like that we can allow people to mislead us that we know really aren’t walking with God. Whose opinion matters more to us? It is more important to please God than people. God has a will for our lives just like he did for Saul. Tragically, Saul is an example to us of someone who never fulfilled God’s will for his life, so God replaced him.
5. Refuse To Allow Demonic Powers To Influence Your Life. Ephesians 4:27 ...and do not give the devil a foothold. We open the door to evil influences when we expose ourselves to tarot cards, horoscopes, palm reading, seances, communication with psychics, etc. When you allow this, you are opening the door to dangerous forces. Acts 19:18-19 Paul burned talismans
6. Teach Your Generation Through A Godly Example: we live in uncertain times. Let them be ready at all times.
7. Seek A Deeper Relationship With God - and you will find what you’ve been looking for.
INTERCESSION: FINAL WORD: Commit to God fully & seek advice spiritually.
