Saul sought an answer, but he found greater confusion.
Then Saul disguised himself by putting on other clothes and went, he and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night; and he said, “Conjure up for me, please, and bring up for me whom I shall name to you.” (v.8) Here, Saul, who ruled as Israel’s first king from around 1050 to 1010 BC, takes a drastic measure to seek direction. Desperate for guidance amidst the looming Philistine threat, he visits a medium—sometimes referred to as the “witch” of Endor. Endor, a small area in the vicinity of the Jezreel Valley in ancient Israel, was known for its hidden recesses. Typically, Saul had driven out mediums and spiritists from the land (1 Samuel 28:3). Yet in this moment, driven by fear and uncertainty, he disguises himself and ventures into the night to engage in a forbidden practice (Deuteronomy 18:10-12).
“Then Saul disguised himself by putting on other clothes…” (v.8). This act symbolizes the lengths Saul was willing to go in seeking supernatural insight. Once revered for his leadership and anointed by the prophet Samuel (around 1050 BC), Saul by this time has distanced himself from God. The king’s disguise also indicates a departure from reliance on the Lord, showcasing a deep internal conflict. In historical context, consulting mediums or necromancers was strictly prohibited in Israel, underscoring how Saul’s desperation led him down a disobedient path.
“…and they came to the woman by night; and he said, ‘Conjure up for me, please, and bring up for me whom I shall name to you.’” (v.8). The secrecy of traveling under the cover of darkness reveals Saul’s knowledge that he was violating God’s commands. His desire to speak with the deceased Prophet Samuel highlights the emptiness in his spirit and his longing for divine guidance. Centuries later, Jesus would model trust in the Heavenly Father and reject the temptation to misuse the supernatural (Matthew 4:1-11). Saul’s turn to illicit spiritual counsel contrasts starkly with Christ’s pure reliance on God’s Word.
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1 Samuel 28:8 meaning
Then Saul disguised himself by putting on other clothes and went, he and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night; and he said, “Conjure up for me, please, and bring up for me whom I shall name to you.” (v.8) Here, Saul, who ruled as Israel’s first king from around 1050 to 1010 BC, takes a drastic measure to seek direction. Desperate for guidance amidst the looming Philistine threat, he visits a medium—sometimes referred to as the “witch” of Endor. Endor, a small area in the vicinity of the Jezreel Valley in ancient Israel, was known for its hidden recesses. Typically, Saul had driven out mediums and spiritists from the land (1 Samuel 28:3). Yet in this moment, driven by fear and uncertainty, he disguises himself and ventures into the night to engage in a forbidden practice (Deuteronomy 18:10-12).
“Then Saul disguised himself by putting on other clothes…” (v.8). This act symbolizes the lengths Saul was willing to go in seeking supernatural insight. Once revered for his leadership and anointed by the prophet Samuel (around 1050 BC), Saul by this time has distanced himself from God. The king’s disguise also indicates a departure from reliance on the Lord, showcasing a deep internal conflict. In historical context, consulting mediums or necromancers was strictly prohibited in Israel, underscoring how Saul’s desperation led him down a disobedient path.
“…and they came to the woman by night; and he said, ‘Conjure up for me, please, and bring up for me whom I shall name to you.’” (v.8). The secrecy of traveling under the cover of darkness reveals Saul’s knowledge that he was violating God’s commands. His desire to speak with the deceased Prophet Samuel highlights the emptiness in his spirit and his longing for divine guidance. Centuries later, Jesus would model trust in the Heavenly Father and reject the temptation to misuse the supernatural (Matthew 4:1-11). Saul’s turn to illicit spiritual counsel contrasts starkly with Christ’s pure reliance on God’s Word.