Tusite Tisema 28, 2021
Pea kuo huhū ‘a Saula
ki he ‘Eiki, ka na‘e ‘ikai te ne tali
1 Samiuela 28 (1 Samuel 28)
(v. 6) And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the
Lord did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by the prophets.
G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible
It is strange how this story has been made to serve in defense of things occult, which, as a matter of fact, it condemns. Let it be carefully read, and it becomes perfectly patent that this woman had nothing to do with bringing up Samuel. Still practicing her black art, and that in secret, because of the king's edict against all of her class, she commenced, on the occasion of Saul's visit, to practice the deceptions with which she was familiar. When in response to her incantations, as it seemed, Samuel actually appeared, she was startled beyond measure.
That Samuel actually did appear to Saul
there can be no doubt. However, he was sent of God for the express purpose of
delivering the terrible message to Saul, to which the king listened in
amazement. It was the pronouncement of his doom, and the call from the other
side to the spirit of the man who had so utterly and disastrously failed to
fulfil his opportunity.
David Guzik :: Study Guide for 1 Samuel 28:6
When Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him: Saul was in a terrible place. The Philistines threatened, Saul’s courage failed, and now God was silent when Saul sought Him. Saul hoped God would speak to him through dreams, but God was silent. He hoped God would speak to him through the Urim, but God was silent. He wanted to hear from God through the prophets, but God would not talk to Saul.
The Lord did not answer him: This silence demonstrates that God will not always answer everyone who seeks Him; not when a man is in a place of judgment as Saul is. King Saul has rejected and is currently rejecting God’s previously revealed will. Since Saul didn’t care to obey God in what he already knew, God will not give him more to know.
At the very least, Saul knew that God did not want him hunting David, hoping to kill him. Saul said as much in passages such as 1 Samuel 24:16-20 and 1Sa 26:21. Yet Saul disregarded what he knew to be God’s will in this matter. If we want God to guide us, we must follow what guidance we already have from Him.
When we reject the word of the Lord we can
still be comforted by the fact that He speaks to us. As we continue to reject
His word He may stop speaking to us – and we will lose even that comfort.
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