KING SAUL GOES TRICK OR TREATING
1 SAMUEL 28:1-20
#halloweeniscoming
INTRODUCTION
“Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat. If you don’t, I don’t care, I’ll pull down your underwear.” "Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat, not too big, not too small, just the size of Montreal.”
The next holiday that is on the calendar is Halloween. Halloween is in four days. Halloween holds significance for several reasons for different people.
Halloween's roots go back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced "sow-in"), which marked the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter. Samhain was a time when people believed the boundary between the living and the dead was thin, and spirits could return to the earthly realm. Back in history, to ward off spirits, people lit bonfires and wore costumes. To encourage these spirits and to talk with them even today, people of the Wiccan religion often make ancestor altars, light candles, have tarot card readings, and share in meals inviting departed relatives to join.
Later, the holiday became intertwined with All Hallows' Eve when the Christians incited a corporate takeover of the non-Christian holiday trying to make it less evil and made it a time for remembering saints and martyrs. Over time, Samhain and All Hallows' Eve merged to form the Halloween we recognize.
For most people, Halloween is a time to dress up, carve pumpkins, and get candy.
But not all people.
TRANSITION
As I was pondering this holiday, an event in the life of King Saul in the Old Testament (1 Samuel 28) popped into my head. I thought back to all my years of preaching and I do not think I have ever preached about Halloween or 1 Samuel 28. So, given that Halloween is in four days, let’s dig into 1 Samuel 28 which is a passage where King Saul goes trick-or-treating and gets more than he bargained for.
LITTLE BIT ABOUT KING SAUL
The first King of Israel was named Saul. He was from the smallest tribe in Israel called Benjamin. Before King Saul, Israel was led by judges like Gideon, Deborah, Samson, and Samuel. The people of Israel asked for a king to be like other nations, and God gave them Saul. Saul’s story begins with promise. He was tall, handsome, and initially humble. He was chosen by God to serve as Israel's king, but his story is a tragic one of disobedience, pride, jealousy, and lost opportunities.
In 1 Samuel 11-13, King Saul led Israel to victory in battles, like when he saved the people of Jabesh-Gilead. His success started to breed pride and impatience Saul’s leadership began to unravel when he stopped waiting on God and took matters into his own hands, such as when he unlawfully offered a sacrifice in 1 Samuel 13. Unfortunately, Saul’s life was marked by his disobedience to God’s command… which we will also dig into today.
In 1 Samuel 18-19 as David, the future king, rises to prominence, Saul becomes increasingly jealous. Saul’s insecurity and fear of losing his kingdom led him to repeatedly attempt to kill David, the man God had chosen to be his successor. David goes on the run. Saul chases him. David hides. That is pretty much the middle part of 1 Samuel.
TRANSITION
We now come to 1 Samuel 28 which is where we will be today and where we see King Saul going trick or treating. War is again upon Saul and the people of Israel. As we read the first part of 1 Samuel 28, we will see that Saul feels stressed and like he has nowhere to turn.
NARRATIVE PART 1
READ 1 SAMUEL 28:1-3a (ESV)
“In those days the Philistines gathered their forces for war, to fight against Israel. And Achish said to David, “Understand that you and your men are to go out with me in the army.” 2 David said to Achish, “Very well, you shall know what your servant can do.” And Achish said to David, “Very well, I will make you my bodyguard for life.” 3 Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city.”
I want you to notice the pressures that are facing King Saul.
First, notice that Israel was about to go to war. Verse 1 shares with us that the neighbors of Israel who often fought with them were gathering for war. The Philistines lived along the coast and often went inland to pillage and attack. Saul knew they were coming so he also had to prepare for war. Interestingly, verses 1-2 also share that David who would one day be the king of Israel was hiding out in Philistine territory at the time so Saul couldn’t find him or get to him. It was a strategic move and one that allowed David some peace. Preparing for war I would assume is stressful. There is probably some fear. There are troops to prepare and fortifications to make. He has to get men to commit to die for their kingdom which I am thinking is a tall order. He has to make weapons and get food ready. Overall… stress. Much stress.
What might have all that stress done to Saul? Probably the same thing stress does to us!
Stress triggers a range of physical responses in the body. Increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, muscle tension, headaches, hormonal imbalances of cortisol and adrenaline, a weakened immune system, digestive problems and sleep disturbances leading to fatigue.
* Emotionally, stress can cause turmoil and fluctuation in how we feel. Anxiety, worry, irritability, impatience with others, sadness, depression, emotional numbness, and overreacting are all part of the deal at times.
* There is also a mental impact to stress. Mentally, stress can impair cognitive function and clarity. We deal with difficulty concentrating, memory issues, decision-making problems, reduced creativity, and mental exhaustion.
* Spiritually, stress can create a disconnect from our sense of purpose, values, or a sense of peace. Overwhelming stress may cause us to withdraw from spiritual practices or beliefs, feeling too burdened or overwhelmed to engage with our spiritual life.
* Stress, especially when chronic or unmanaged, can profoundly affect the body, mind, and soul. It creates a cycle of negative effects that can feed into one another—physical discomfort leads to emotional turmoil, which impacts mental focus and disrupts spiritual well-being.
Second, notice in verse 3 that the prophet Samuel has died and this leaves Saul without a chief advisor even though Saul did not always listen to him. It is human nature to like that someone is a constant presence even if you ignore them most of the time. Saul and Samuel had a contentious relationship. Samuel wanted the best for Saul, but saw him going down destructive paths and embracing disobedience when it came to YHWH God. There was a hole of advice, direction, and purpose in Saul’s life. He was stressed and one person to whom he would go was no longer available. The prophet and last judge of Israel, Samuel, had died.
TRANSITION
Let’s read what happens next.
NARRATIVE PART 2
READ 1 SAMUEL 28:3b-14 (ESV)
“And Saul had put the mediums and the necromancers out of the land. 4 The Philistines assembled and came and encamped at Shunem. And Saul gathered all Israel, and they encamped at Gilboa. 5 When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. 6 And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets. 7 Then Saul said to his servants, “Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” And his servants said to him, “Behold, there is a medium at En-dor.”
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.” 9 The woman said to him, “Surely you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off the mediums and the necromancers from the land. Why then are you laying a trap for my life to bring about my death?” 10 But Saul swore to her by the Lord, “As the Lord lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this thing.” 11 Then the woman said, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” He said, “Bring up Samuel for me.” 12 When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice. And the woman said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul.” 13 The king said to her, “Do not be afraid. What do you see?” And the woman said to Saul, “I see a god coming up out of the earth.” 14 He said to her, “What is his appearance?” And she said, “An old man is coming up, and he is wrapped in a robe.” And Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground and paid homage.”
SIDE NOTE: Before we get too far, no the medium was not on the planet of Endor where the ewoks live. In context for Star Wars fans, she would have been from Dathomir. If you have no idea what I am saying, don’t worry about it.
Please notice that under stress, King Saul makes another mistake and wants to consult a medium to contact Samuel from the dead. Saul prayed and because God did not immediately answer in the normal ways he thought God should, Saul jumped to an alternative.
Even as we look at verse 3, we might wonder why King Saul removed all mediums and necromancers from the land. A medium or necromancer would be someone who taps into magic or occult practices to do spells and speak to the dead. We might call them a witch or warlock. We also might think such things are for fantasy stories, but such power is mentioned and warned against in the Scriptures.
The Bible has clear warnings against engaging in practices such as consulting mediums, witches, and other occult practices. These prohibitions are found in both the Old and New Testaments, and the message is consistent: God warns against turning to supernatural forces outside of Him, as such practices are considered idolatrous and can lead people away from trusting in His power and guidance.
The Bible speaks specifically against seeking out mediums, spiritists, or those who communicate with the dead (necromancers). This is viewed as a violation of God's command to trust in Him for guidance. In the verses I am about to read, mediums and spiritists are explicitly condemned, and the Israelites are instructed to seek God instead of attempting to communicate with the dead or supernatural forces.
READ LEVITICUS 19:31 (ESV)
“Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the Lord your God.”
READ LEVITICUS 20:6 (ESV)
“If a person turns to mediums and necromancers, whoring after them, I will set My Face against that person and will cut him off from among his people.”
READ ISAIAH 8:19 (ESV)
“And when they say to you, ‘Inquire of the mediums and the necromancers who chirp and mutter,’ should not a people inquire of their God? Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living?”
Witchcraft, or the practice of sorcery, is also strongly condemned in the Bible. It involves using occult powers to manipulate or control others, often through spells, potions, or rituals. The Bible consistently warns against these practices in passages like Exodus 22:18, Deuteronomy 18:9-12. It is also mentioned in Galatians 5 as an obvious sin…
READ GALATIANS 5:19-21 (ESV)
“Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
In the broader sense, occult practices encompass various forms of supernatural activity that are not directly related to God, including astrology, divination, and magical rituals. Things like Ouija boards and tarot card readings would be included here as well. The Bible warns against these practices because they involve seeking knowledge or power from sources other than God. Again, this type of activity is mentioned in Deuteronomy 18, but also Revelation 21.
READ REVELATION 21:6-8 (ESV)
“And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. 7 The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be My son. 8 But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
The Bible warns not just against the practices themselves, but against the spiritual danger they pose. Seeking spiritual guidance from sources other than God can open the door to deception, manipulation, and demonic influence. It is an area to avoid.
King Saul already knew all of that. Verse 3 tells us that he had spiritually cleaned house and deported all the people who peddled demon-influenced advice. Saul had prayed and did not feel like God answered him. Verse 6 mentions three different ways that he was used to God communicating with him and God was silent in all three ways. God did not answer. He became even more desperate for any kind of direction or instructions.
He knew consulting a witch was sinful, but he decided to do it anyway. Verse 8 tells us that Saul dressed up and went and knocked on the woman’s door to ask for her help. “Trick or treat, smell my feet, consult the dead prophet for me. If you don’t, I don’t care, I’ll will make you feel despair.”
Saul knew what He was asking. In verse 8, he specifically asks for her to “divine” a dead spirit so he could talk to it. He assures her it is not a trap. He is there with a specific request for a specific activity to talk to a specific dead person.
Verse 12 is very interesting. I remember in class in Bible College way back in the dark ages that my professor said that the witch screaming was a bit of a mystery. We do not know why she screamed. It could be that she screamed in success with fear because she did her rituals and a spirit came up from the ground and knew it was the prophet Samuel. It also could be that she screamed in success with surprise because for once the ritual worked and she was scared to death. In either case, the medium calls Samuel forth and he comes.
The witch confirms the spirit.
King Saul knows it is Samuel.
TRANSITION
What does Samuel say? What does Saul say? Let’s keep reading.
NARRATIVE PART 3
READ 1 SAMUEL 28:15-20 (ESV)
“Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Saul answered, “I am in great distress, for the Philistines are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no more, either by prophets or by dreams. Therefore I have summoned you to tell me what I shall do.” 16 And Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since the Lord has turned from you and become your enemy? 17 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. 18 Because you did not obey the voice of the Lord and did not carry out His fierce wrath against Amalek, therefore the Lord has done this thing to you this day. 19 Moreover, the Lord will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me. The Lord will give the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.” 20 Then Saul fell at once full length on the ground, filled with fear because of the words of Samuel. And there was no strength in him, for he had eaten nothing all day and all night.”
This was no trick.
This was no treat.
The spirit that King Saul is speaking to is definitely the prophet Samuel who is mad at him for disturbing him in the life after this one. We should notice that Samuel was recognizable, had some memories, and seemed to be himself. That might be an important observation for someone.
The prophet Samuel tells Saul that the battle will not go well the following day because God has given Israel into the hands of the Philistines and Saul and his sons would die in battle. That is not good news. That is not what Saul wanted to hear. The news was not good, but it was true. King Saul was overcome with fear.
1 Samuel 31 records for us that the Philistines surrounded Saul and his sons on Mount Gilboa and all of them died. 1 Samuel 31:6 tells us of great loss. The first king of Israel died along with three of his sons. It was a terrible battle and Saul and his sons paid for his sinfulness and rejection of God.
READ 1 SAMUEL 31:6 (ESV)
“Thus Saul died, and his three sons, and his armor-bearer, and all his men, on the same day together.”
APPLICATION
What do we do with this passage?
First, if you thought I was going to tell you that you should or should not celebrate Halloween, sorry, that is a conscience issue unless you are using Ouija boards or dealing out tarot cards. Those are the things that matter… not necessarily dressing up and heading towards diabetes one night a year. This is an issue where 1 Corinthians 8-10 would apply. You should conduct yourself according to your conscience on this issue and ask the Holy Spirit to guide you to Truth. He will do that and then I would encourage you to obey your conscience in the Lord.
Second, what we should see in this passage is a warning not to step outside of God’s guidance when we are stressed. Stress can lead us to panic, worry, and impatience. We may feel that God isn’t answering or answering in the way that we want. That is not uncommon. God does God’s will not our will. That is Truth.
I do not know if the battle would have gone differently if Saul had prayed to God and not gone to the witch in Endor. I do not know that. Only God knows that. What I do know is that you and I are to keep our eyes on Jesus. You and I are to look to Him for guidance and strength and peace when life is overwhelmingly stressful. Cry out and pray to Jesus and He will meet you where you are at.
I’d like to share a song with you to firm that up in your mind and heart.
ILLUSTRATION… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_fGk9hvAkQk [4:31]
YouTube Lyric video for “Cry Out to Jesus” by Third Day
There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
And love for the broken heart
And there is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus
Cry out to Jesus
PRAYER
INVITATION
There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
And love for the broken heart
And there is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus
Cry out to Jesus
I invite you today to come forward and pray, accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, and cry out to Him about whatever war you are in right now. If you’ve never accepted Jesus, salvation and grace are yours in Him. If you’ve already accepted Him, peace and strength are yours in Him. Seek Him and you will find Him.
