Why did God allow Samuel to be summoned from the dead in 1 Samuel 28:15? Historical Context Israel faced a massive Philistine invasion (1 Samuel 28:1-5). Saul, who had repeatedly disobeyed the LORD (1 Samuel 13:13-14; 15:22-23), could no longer obtain divine guidance by dreams, Urim, or prophets (1 Samuel 28:6). In terror, he sought a medium at En-dor, disguising himself to violate his own law against necromancy (1 Samuel 28:3, 9). Torah’S Absolute Ban On Necromancy “Let no one be found among you… who consults the dead. For whoever does these things is detestable to the LORD” (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). Leviticus 19:31; 20:6, 27 add capital punishment. Scripture therefore presents Saul’s action as sin, not a model to imitate. Identity Of The Apparition: The Text Says It Was Samuel 1. The narrator four times calls the figure “Samuel” (vv. 12, 14-16). 2. The medium shrieks in shock (v. 12), implying an unexpected, uncontrollable event—suggesting divine interruption rather than her usual demonic fakery. 3. The message matches Samuel’s earlier prophecies (1 Samuel 15:26-29), contains specific near-term predictions (“tomorrow you and your sons will be with me,” v. 19), and is fulfilled (1 Samuel 31). Deceiving spirits do not reliably foretell events that glorify God’s justice (John 8:44). 4. Post-exilic Jews, the Septuagint, early church fathers, and the Reformers generally read the apparition as the real Samuel. The Dead Sea Scroll 4Q51 (4QSamᵃ) preserves the same wording, supporting textual stability. Why God Permitted It: Sovereign Judgment, Not Divine Endorsement Of Necromancy God, not the medium, brought Samuel. Scripture often records God using forbidden venues to pronounce judgment (e.g., Balaam, Numbers 22-24). Here the purpose is judicial: • To declare Saul’s final sentence (v. 18: “Because you did not obey the LORD… the LORD has delivered the kingdom to David”). • To expose the futility of occult practice—Samuel gives no tactical help, only condemnation. • To demonstrate God’s total sovereignty: even in a prohibited séance He alone decides who speaks. The Event As Prophecy Confirmation Samuel’s appearance binds earlier prophetic strands together: the torn robe symbol (1 Samuel 15:27-28; 28:14), the rise of David (1 Samuel 16:1-13), and the irrevocability of God’s decree. The fulfillment hours later authenticates the prophetic office and underscores that “the word of the LORD stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8). The Medium Had No Power Over The Dead The narrative grammar (“Samuel said…,” not “the woman said…”) distinguishes the genuine prophet from the illicit channel. The woman “saw gods coming up” (v. 13)—plural ambiguity common in occult visions—but only Saul hears Samuel. God bypasses her craft, illustrating that necromancers traffic in deception unless God sovereignly intrudes. Theological Implications Regarding Life After Death Samuel, conscious and articulate, speaks from Sheol, affirming personal existence beyond death (cf. Matthew 22:31-32). Yet his lament, “Why have you disturbed me?” (v. 15), shows the abnormality of the summons; the dead are not ordinarily reachable (Job 7:9-10; Luke 16:26). Parallels And Contrasts With Other Biblical Appearances • Moses and Elijah appear at the Transfiguration by God’s initiative (Matthew 17:3). • Post-resurrection saints emerge in Jerusalem (Matthew 27:52-53). All instances are rare, God-directed, and never authorize occult practice. Samuel’s case is unique because it occurs in a context of explicit prohibition and judgment. Philosophical And Apologetic Notes The episode supports—rather than undermines—biblical supernaturalism. Materialism cannot explain predictive prophecy fulfilled within 24 hours. Nor can it account for the narrative’s self-critical stance: Scripture records its hero-king’s failure, consistent with historical realism rather than mythmaking. The account equally rebuts naturalistic attempts to reduce religion to psychological projection; an empirically verifiable event (Saul’s corpse) validates Samuel’s words. Practical Lessons For Today 1. Desperation outside God’s will leads to deeper ruin. 2. The occult promises knowledge but delivers bondage and silence (Isaiah 8:19-20). 3. God’s word is sufficient; seeking forbidden alternatives invites judgment (2 Titus 3:16-17). 4. Christ, not mediums, is the Mediator between God and humanity (1 Titus 2:5). Summary Answer God allowed Samuel to be summoned to pronounce irrevocable judgment on Saul, to authenticate previous prophecy, to demonstrate His sovereignty over life, death, and occult pretensions, and to warn all generations against seeking guidance outside His revealed word. |
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