The Lord Did Not Answer Him (1 Sam. 28:1-7)

Wayne Galloway
01/27/14 - N/A

Series: Studies in First Samuel

Introduction:

1.  The Philistines continue to be a problem in Israel. 2.  They have gathered themselves together to war against Saul and his forces. 3.  David has allied himself and his 600 men with Achish, the Philistine king of Gath, in order to discourage Saul’s attempts to kill him. 4.  Samuel is dead. 5.  Saul is terrified.

a.  He seeks information from the Lord.

b.  The Lord does not answer.

c.  Typical of Saul, he proceeds on his own in an attempt to get information on the future.

Discussion:

I.  God had prohibited listening to false sources that claimed predictive powers (Deut. 18:9-22).  Only the God of heaven stands above time and is not limited in His knowledge by the restrictions of time.

A.  The Canaanites listened to various false sources.

B.  Thus in the warning to Israel, “When you enter the land . . . “

C.  The difference is in the nature of the gods of the Canaanites and the God of Israel (Lev. 19:3, 26-31).

1.  The gods of the Canaanites cannot predict the future.

2.  Only God’s eternal nature allows for this.

D.  The Lord God promised to raise prophets for Israel.

E.  In Samuel Saul had had a close relationship with a prophet of God.  Now Samuel was dead.

II.  There are two other ways recognized in Scripture that God communicated to his people:  Urim and dreams.

A.  Dreams.

1.  God had communicated to Joseph in dreams (Gen. 37:5, 9; 40; 41).

2.  Later in the history of Israel God communicated to Daniel through dreams (Dan. 2).

3.  Cornelius and Peter may have received communication in the form of dreams.  Described as “visions” in the text.  Peter is said to have “fallen into a trance” (Acts 10:10).

4.  God communicated to Paul in a night vision (Acts 16:9-10).

B.  Urim.

1.  Not a lot of information on this method.

2.  Often combined with Thummim (Ex. 28:30; Ezra 2:63).

3.  Suggested that stones or sticks dark and white used in asking questions of God—priest put stones in pocket and yes/no answers revealed God’s will.  Cf. the drawing of lots (Acts 1:23-26).

C.  Saul did not receive information from God by any of the accepted methods.

III.  Saul had removed from the land those who were spiritists and mediums.

A.  Shows “respect” for communication from God vs. spiritists and mediums.  Probably reflective of Samuel’s influence.

B.  But Saul is in a tight spot.

1.  He is terrified.

2.  God is not responding.

3.  He seeks information through alternative means.

C.  Maybe you have wanted information from the Lord and not received the information desired.  Sometimes God is silent and we have to be content with that.  This is part of submission.

1.  Saul had had a problem with this before (1 Sam. 13:8ff).

2.  His heart was not after God’s own heart (1 Sam. 13:13ff).  For this reason his kingdom would not endure (1 Sam 13:14).

3.  Submission to the silence of God is fundamental to appropriate respect.

4.  Some, even today, want to proceed on their own when there is silence form God. Silence is not approval.  Silence is just silence.  Saul recognized that, but he was not satisfied with it.

D.  He sought his information in an alternative way.

IV.  Saul sought out the medium of Endor (28:8ff).

A.  His servants “helped” him.

1.  Some give bad help by encouraging what we want.

2.  They recommended the medium of Endor.

B.  Saul disguised himself and went for a visit.

1.  The woman was cautious.

2.  I find this vow interesting (see v. 10).

C.  His request of the medium is also interesting.

1.  Why not just ask her to reveal God’s will?  Not her specialty.

2.  Bring up Samuel.

3.  When she saw Samuel she cried out.  Probably in surprise.  Probably never experienced anything like this before.

4.  Samuel told her not to be afraid (v. 13).

5.  The woman saw “an old man wrapped in a robe.”

D.  Saul recognized Samuel and did homage (v. 14).

1.  Much emotion in this account.  Fear is a predominate one.

2.  Emotional experiences are not necessarily an indication of valid spirituality.

3.  Though Saul pays homage to Samuel, this does not necessarily reflect submissive obedience nor loyalty to God.

V.  The message from the prophet was not what Saul wanted to hear (28:15ff).

A.  “Why have you disturbed me?” Samuel asks.

B.  Saul is very distressed (15).

1.  Philistines waging war.

2.  God has departed.

3.  God no longer answers.

4.  “What should I do?”

5.  Such distress comes when we do what we want rather than submitting to the Lord.

6.  We ask, “What should I do now?”

C.  Samuel identifies himself with the Lord—“Why do you ask me, since the Lord has departed from you and has become your adversary?”

1.  Samuel said the Lord has done just what He said He was going to do (v. 17).  Was the Lord really silent or had He just communicated all He wanted to?

2.  If you are not going to obey what need is there for further communication? (v. 18).

3.  The consequence—the Philistines will be victorious.

D.  Saul was very afraid and there was no strength in him (v. 20ff).

Conclusion:

1.  We need to listen to the Lord. 2.  We need to listen with submission and a view to obedience. 3.  Otherwise the Lord will depart from us. 4.  The consequence is fear, weakness, defeat and death.