1 Samuel 28:20 Commentary and Bible Study

As a result of Samuel’s words, the whole heart and spirit goes out of Saul. He cannot resist this word of prophecy, which speaks only of his doom. He has summoned Samuel from the grave as the only person who can direct him, who he trusts, and he is obliged to accept what he says, however unwelcome. The gospel is a message of good news, good news which man has no right to expect to hear from God. God in his grace speaks peace on earth and good will towards men. But for those who go on rejecting this message all their lives and refusing to repent, this good news is eventually withdrawn. At last, all that God has to say to them is a message of condemnation without hope. This message will crush man’s spirit, for he knows there is no way round it, no way to escape from it. Saul was physically exhausted, but, far worse, he was facing death without hope and without the consolation of God’s mercy.The witch of Endor, the medium of Endor, is terrified. Saul has been fasting all day. Now there is no strength in him, and the shock and the realisation that God is going to be true to his judgement has completely overwhelmed him. What follows is the pitiful efforts of this evil woman to administer some sustenance to Saul. Gill suggests that she may have been motivated not only by concern for his life, but fear that he would die in her house, and then she will be in trouble. Not only would she be discovered as a witch, but she could be held responsible for his death. So she wants to get some food down him and get him away. She wants him out of there. But Saul is in despair, and her ministrations to him provide no real comfort. He knows it is all worth nothing, and at first he refuses. An act of kindness from a witch will be but a momentary pause before Saul is plunged into eternal despair. He knows this and refuses. But she together with his servants work to overcome his resistance, and eventually he goes ahead and eats. What darkness now envelopes Saul’s life. He is doomed. It is going to be the end of his ministry. God will condemn him. In his amazing mercy he will deliver David, his child. He will first judge and then later deliver the land; he will show his mercy and his love and the Philistine power will not prevail. We will go on to see how God brought about all these things.