1 Samuel Chapter 28 Discussion Page 2

V. 12 - The soul is eternal. Jesus came to redeem the soul and to reconcile man with God. Adam had given that authority and power of death over humans' souls to the serpent. Until Jesus died and conquered death, satan held captive every soul that had died from the time of Adam's sin. This explains why the witch of Endor could call up Samuel to talk to Saul ( 1 Sam. 3-20). Cont.

The bible does say that the dead know not anything. But maybe this time God may have allowed Samuel to come up for our learning. We have to also remember that Jesus went down into hell and preached to the souls after he was crucified. This may have given Saul a second chance. Remember also that God allowed Saul to be changed. Read whereby God turned his heart after he was anointed by Samuel.

Leviticus 19:31 Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God.

Leviticus 20:6 And the soul that turneth after such as have familiar spirits, and after wizards, to go a whoring after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.

The whole point had been missed! It was not Samuel, only perceived by Saul to be him. It was a familiar spirit (or demon) that had been raised up by the conjuring of the Witch of Endor. It could not be Samuel because he was just a mortal man that had died, and the familiar spirit was only impersonating him.

This passage has alot of ways to interpret it. Especially the raising of Samuel.
First, Saul to get to the witch (familiar spirit) at Endor he would have had to walk through thr Philistine camp site. If you iook at the map of the area of that time, Gilboa was on one peak and Shunem was on the other, separated by the Jezreel Valley. Endor was behind the Philistines camp at Shunem.

If God's word says it was Samuel, then it was Samuel. The old woman is quoted as saying she saw 'gods ascending out of the earth'. This observation of the woman is obviously wrong but is correctly quoted; However, the divination did happened and is a warning that these occult practices are real and not harmless games. Beware If you need these things beyond prayer, how far have you drifted from God

The spirit that came before Saul

Jane, what you say is true but v11 and 15 of this chapter the Scriptures definitely as well as clearly states that the spirit was Samuel. Glory be to God in the highest through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen.

Whether it was samuel or not let us obey God and do not do it. We can't understand everything and we sin if we search for God secret thing he has not expose to us in last chapters of deutorony Moses warned about the secet things of God. Saul was a finished man due to inpatience to wait on God by not waiting for samuel he made sacrifice that was his first offence.

I read on another site that it wasn't Samuel's spirit. So was it Samuel or not?

I believe as the bible said " It was Samuel else how can we believe anything the bible say if God can 't say what he means and mean what he says.

If God refuses to give you direction when in crisis, there 's no need looking for direction elsewhere because you will wander further away from God. When God refused to answer Saul, he should have just waited, allowed God to have His way and just stick to Him. His mercies never come to an end. Seeking divination from familiar spirits made a bad situation worse. The solution you seek to a problem should not be greater problem, creating a deeper crisis.

Saul did not utterly destroy the Philistines. He spared their King for the spoils of the war thus Angering God. Samuel had to finish killing Agag, as God had instructed. Also Saul looked upon a witch for guidence this also angered God,leading to his death the next day.

We all know the difference between a true prophet and a false prophet. The true prophet 's prophecy will come to pass and we know what happens to the false prophet 's prophecy. God is Sovereign and Saul did die along with his sons and the prophecy came true. In rebelling against God, Saul became an enemy of God. James is clear when it says that friendship with the world is enmity with God.

I believe that once saved always saved. This is why verse 19 you and your sons will be with me tomorrow. Did you know Saul killed 19 levical priesthood and showed no repentance.

Saul recognized Samuel, so it was not a demon, as some have suggested. Samuel was in the place of the dead, waiting for resurrection and the judgment of the righteous. Saul and offspring were to join Samuel there, as they were to die. God had become Saul's enemy, because Saul had rejected Him, over and over. Deuteronomy 28:63 describes what happens when God's people reject Him over and over: "And it shall come to pass, that as the LORD rejoiced over you to do good, and to multiply you; so the LORD will rejoice over you to destroy you, and bring you to nought; and you shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goest to possess it" Christians in the modern church are a little reluctant to acknowledge that God can punish, as well as reward, but there it is. Final judgment of Saul? Only God knows the answer to that one.

well said millie,the devil has his own agents that walk with us day and night.they know exactly who we are and what we do.the woman had a familiar spirit that was contrary to that of God.so believe it or not,that wasn't samuel but one of satans spirits.

requesting more in detail/ information on verses 28; 6-13.And more information on owls and what GODs word says of it.

samuel told saul that he and his sons would be with him ( in abrahams bosom ) where all people went until Christ opened the way to heaven by His death and resurrection and after He preached the gospel to them, prisoners ( the people ) there in abrahams bosom .

I think that God have sent Saul. Samuel, resting in peace, have came up with the permission of God.

My understanding of these verses are as follows; we already know that Satan is known as the deceiver, he lies to obtain what he wants. Here we see that the woman with the familiar spirit see gods and an old man ascending from the ground. There is nothing from God living bellow the ground. our God sits in heavenly places; therefore these gods are more likely demons. The woman also told Saul that God was his enemy. God didn't say he was his enemy, he rejected Saul as a king due to his disobedience however he never rejected him as a person. Remember that the devil has been given certain amount of power and he uses wisely. When Saul go to Satan's alley (the house of the woman with familiar spirit} it is to expect that the devil will take charge and give you what he wants to bring more depression and trouble spirits, This was not Samuel people die and then is the judgment they can not come back.

A BIBLIA DIZ,QUE DEUS NÃO É DEUS DE MORTOS NO ENTANTO QUEM FALOU NA BOCA DA MULHER FOI O DEMONIO POR MEIO DA MEDIUNIDADE,ISTO É O DIABO ELE ENCORPOROU NA MULHER E USOU A SUA BOCA COMO USOU A SERPENTE PARA ENGANAR EVA.

My opinion is, Samuel died, and the next day Saul and his Sons died also. They all went to a place of Rest. The spirit said, you and your Sons will be with me this day.

The woman was surprised she brought up Samuel, God allowed her to bring Samuel up to announce what would happen the next day to Saul. Saul and Jonathan going to be with Samuel next day is God telling Saul that he will in Abraham’s bosom until Christ came and preached the gospel to the prisoners. Whether or not Saul is in heaven or hell we cannot say! Samuel was not Satan or a demon, Saul recognized Samuel!

familiar spirits are not of god. saul disguised himself and the woman knew who he was though. people today practice this witchcraft today in the churches, they just do it more modern. once we turn it over to god and let him fight our bibles every thing will be alright.got to have faith.

Answer to Tad.
I understand why you are confused, and it is a good thing. I can not give you an answer because everybody finds an answer for himself. My opinion is that everything comes from God and nothing could be possible if God does not allow it.
I will ask you something that will confuse you more. How do you explain that after the battle, when they are all dead, morally positive Samuel and morally negative Saul and morally undefined sons of Saul will be at the same place. I do not have an answer to this.
Trying to understand the Holy Text is the most beautiful work one is blessed to have in his life.
Best regards and God bless us all.

really i need help on this issue!!!!
how the spirit of Satan(upon her) can awake the spirit of God(upon Samuel). This part highly confused me.Please give me a clear vision based on bible about this topic.
God bless you!!

I believe the "gods" that she saw rising from the earth were demons, and I believe that it was a demon impersonating Samuel. The Bible is clear that the dead know nothing and the book of John states that no one has ascended into heaven except he who descended, referring to Jesus Christ.

saul ones exaulted now have a pitiful end, the SPIRIT of the LORD had left him, as a result his heart failed him [he was afraid]- the LORD told us without HIM we can do nothing. this means we should be humble & careful especially HIS'ministers, some of whom have become gods.