In this unique chapter, unable to hear from God, Saul consults a medium in an attempt to get some direction from Samuel (who was recently deceased).
“Then Samuel said to Saul, ‘Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?’ Saul answered, ‘I am in great distress, for the Philistines are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no more… Therefore I have summoned you to tell me what I shall do.’ And Samuel said, ‘Why then do you ask me, since the Lord has turned from you and become your enemy? The Lord has done to you as he spoke by me, for the Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David. Because you did not obey the voice of the Lord… the Lord has done this thing to you this day. Moreover, the Lord will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me. The Lord will give the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.’ ” (v15-19 abr)
Saul, fearful of fighting the invading Philistine army (with whom David is currently allied), seeks advice. When God doesn’t respond to Saul’s desperate inquiry, he seeks out a medium to conjure up a connection to the deceased prophet Samuel. Though God allows this connection, Saul does not receive the message he was hoping for. In fact, Samuel tells Saul that Israel’s army will be defeated tomorrow, resulting in the deaths of him and his sons.
We already know that Saul has sinned against God and ignored His commands numerous times, yet this time appears to be the cherry on top. Seeking the dead on behalf of the living was strictly forbidden by God’s law: “Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the Lord your God.” (Lev 19:31) This final disregard for God’s commands results in fatal consequences Saul, his sons, and many Israelite troops.
I encourage us to seek God alone for solutions to our struggles and fears. If we look elsewhere (ie. to the world) the answer we get will definitely not be the one we want. If we truly wait upon God, He will respond in His timing. It’s true God did not respond to Saul’s initial inquiry, but if Saul had patiently kept asking God instead of impatiently seeking a medium, he and his sons may not have received their death sentence that day.
There are over 130 instances of “waiting” in the Bible, several of which refer to waiting on God. For example: “And Moses said to them, ‘Wait, that I may hear what the Lord will command concerning you.’ ” (Num 9:8) “Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” (Psa 27:14) “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!” (Psa 37:7)
David, who wrote those two Psalms we just referenced, frequently waited on the Lord. I encourage us to wait on the Lord, for like David, we will eventually hear the Lord’s voice. The worst part of waiting on the Lord is we don’t know how long we will be waiting, which is why David encourages us to “wait patiently for Him”. Impatience seemingly leads to sin and death, so Let’s try to remain patient while waiting upon the Lord for the life-giving answers that we seek.
Father God, our patient and long-suffering Lord, great and mighty is Your name. Father please teach us patience, that we may learn to wait upon You in all circumstances. May we learn to seek Your will and leading above all others, and not run ahead of You. Father we trust in Your divine timing, and ask for Your help in curbing our busy / hurried lifestyles. May we always be willing to take the time to wait on You. We praise and glorify Your name, forever and ever, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training