Does God Run Out of Patience? (1 Sam 28.6)

When Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, not by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets.

Background

The prophet Samuel has died. It is the end of an era. The book of First Samuel is approaching its climax: a great battle against the Philistines. Previous battles have all been in the south of Israel, but now the Philistines attack in the north.

King Saul is worried. He prays for advice from God. God is silent. So Saul seeks God through a priest by the casting of lots, the Urim.¹ Again, there is no answer. Samuel is dead, so Saul consults with other unnamed prophets. There is still no answer from God.

Saul is desperate. He decides he has one last option—to consult the dead. This was a manner of divination for many pagan religions, but it had been outlawed in Israel.² Even Saul had enforced the law and driven all of those who practiced necromancy out of Israel. To consult a diviner, he must travel far north to Endor. Disguising himself, he finds a female necromancer who is reputed to be able to speak with the dead. Saul promises she will not be punished, and he asks her to contact Samuel.

The deceased prophet does indeed appear, and the woman now knows that the man before her is the King. She cries out at the deceit, but Saul tells her to keep going. Samuel asks why he has been disturbed, and Saul tells him of the impending threat to Israel. The prophet’s response is harsh: God has rejected him, taken his kingdom, and given it to David. Because of Saul’s continual acts against God, Israel will lose the battle; Saul and his sons will die.

Saul collapses, having not eaten in days, collapses in fear and weakness. The woman urges him to regain his strength. She cooks a meal for him and helps him on his way.