Since ancient times, people have been fascinated by the realm of the dead. In Part 2 of our exploration into 1 Samuel 28, we move from understanding mediums and necromancy to witnessing a king’s desperate decision. Faced with silence from heaven and fear of defeat, Saul turns to the very practice he once banned—seeking out a medium to summon the dead prophet Samuel. 

This episode takes us deep into the unsettling events at En-dor. We explore why God refused to respond to Saul through dreams, the Urim, or prophets, and how Saul’s growing desperation led him to break his own ban on occult practices. We examine what it means when the medium claims to see “a god” (Elohim) rising from the earth, and wrestle with the question: was this really Samuel? We also discuss the ancient practice of necromancy through “ghost pits,” and how Isaiah 29 sheds light on the eerie methods used to summon spirits from the underworld.

This is not just an ancient story. There’s a sobering relevance to our modern lives. Are there idols, occult objects, or subtle spiritual compromises present in your home or heart? Whether through astrology, symbols, or seemingly harmless curiosity, we are often drawn to the same forbidden paths that Saul walked. The New Testament reminds us that what pagans sacrifice, they offer to demons—not to God—and that we cannot partake of both the table of the Lord and the table of demons.

Show notes:

Contact Information for questions and topics:

getscrolled@graftedin.com

Giving Information:

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Show Music by Jake Brake

Sponsored by:

The Harvest Ministries – graftedin.com

Show Resources:

1 Samuel 28:3-14

1 Corinthians 10:14-22

Psalm 106:36-37

Isaiah 29:4

https://biblearchaeology.org/research/chronological-categories/united-monarchy/4991-king-saul-and-the-witch-of-endor-necromancy-and-ghost-pits-in-the-ancient-world