Saul and the Medium at Endor

Following the death of Samuel, King Saul had removed mediums and spiritists from the land. When the Philistine armies gathered at Shunem, Saul became afraid and his heart trembled greatly. He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams, Urim, or prophets (1 Samuel 28:5-6). Consequently, Saul instructed his servants to find a woman with a familiar spirit. They identified such a woman living at Endor. Saul disguised himself, putting on other garments, and went with two men to see her by night (1 Samuel 28:7-8).

Saul requested that the woman bring up the person he named. Although she initially expressed fear because of the king's edict against mediums, Saul swore by the LORD that no punishment would come upon her. At Saul's request, she summoned Samuel. When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out and identified Saul, asking why he had deceived her. The text does not say exactly how she recognized him at that moment. The woman described seeing a spirit ascending out of the earth, appearing as an old man wrapped in a mantle (1 Samuel 28:12-14). Saul perceived it was Samuel and stooped with his face to the ground.

Samuel asked Saul why he had disturbed him. Saul explained his distress regarding the Philistines and God's silence. Samuel replied that since the LORD had departed from Saul and become his enemy, the kingdom had been torn from his hand and given to David (1 Samuel 28:16-17). Samuel stated this occurred because Saul did not obey the voice of the LORD regarding Amalek. He prophesied that the LORD would deliver Israel and Saul’s sons into the hand of the Philistines, and that by the next day, Saul and his sons would be with Samuel (1 Samuel 28:19). Saul fell prostrate in fear and was eventually persuaded by the woman and his servants to eat before departing.