Page 487 - The MacArthur Daily Bible

TN_05_MacArthur_Bible_May.qxd 8/8/03 15:41 Page 468

MAY 13

28:3 mediums and the spiritists. By divine 28:12 the woman saw Samuel. Though
law, they were banned from Israel (Deut. questions have arisen as to the nature of
18:11), and Israel was not to be defiled by Samuel’s appearance,the text clearly indicates
them (Lev. 19:31). Turning to them was tanta- that Samuel, not an apparition, was evident to
mount to playing the harlot and would result the eyes of the medium. God miraculously
in God setting His face against the person and permitted the actual spirit of Samuel to speak
cutting him off from among His people (Lev. (vv. 16–19). Because she understood her
20:6).Mediums and spiritists were to be put to inability to raise the dead in this manner, she
death by stoning (Lev.20:27).Even Saul under- immediately knew 1) that it must have been
stood this and had previously dealt with the by the power of God and 2) that her disguised
issue (v. 9). inquirer must be Saul.

lamented for him and buried him in Ramah, in and he is covered with a mantle.” And Saul
his own city. And Saul had put the mediums perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped
and the spiritists out of the land. with his face to the ground and bowed down.
4 Then the Philistines gathered together, and 15 Now Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you
came and encamped at Shunem. So Saul gath- disturbed me by bringing me up?”
ered all Israel together, and they encamped at And Saul answered, “I am deeply dis-
5
Gilboa. When Saul saw the army of the tressed; for the Philistines make war against
Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trem- me, and God has departed from me and does
bled greatly. And when Saul inquired of the not answer me anymore, neither by prophets
6
LORD, the LORD did not answer him, either by nor by dreams. Therefore I have called you,
dreams or by Urim or by the prophets. that you may reveal to me what I should do.”
7 Then Saul said to his servants, “Find me a 16 Then Samuel said: “So why do you ask me,
woman who is a medium, that I may go to her seeing the LORD has departed from you and
and inquire of her.” has become your enemy? And the LORD has
17
And his servants said to him, “In fact, there done for Himself as He spoke by me. For the
is a woman who is a medium at En Dor.” LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand
8 So Saul disguised himself and put on other and given it to your neighbor, David. Be-
18
clothes, and he went, and two men with him; cause you did not obey the voice of the LORD
and they came to the woman by night. And he nor execute His fierce wrath upon Amalek,
said, “Please conduct a séance for me, and therefore the LORD has done this thing to you
bring up for me the one I shall name to you.” this day. Moreover the LORD will also deliver
19
9 Then the woman said to him, “Look, you Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines.
know what Saul has done, how he has cut off And tomorrow you and your sons will be with
the mediums and the spiritists from the land. me. The LORD will also deliver the army of
Why then do you lay a snare for my life, to Israel into the hand of the Philistines.”
cause me to die?” 20 Immediately Saul fell full length on the
10 And Saul swore to her by the LORD, saying, ground, and was dreadfully afraid because of
“As the LORD lives, no punishment shall come the words of Samuel. And there was no
upon you for this thing.” strength in him, for he had eaten no food all
11 Then the woman said, “Whom shall I bring day or all night.
up for you?” 21 And the woman came to Saul and saw that
And he said, “Bring up Samuel for me.” he was severely troubled, and said to him,
12 When the woman saw Samuel, she cried “Look, your maidservant has obeyed your
out with a loud voice. And the woman spoke to voice, and I have put my life in my hands and
Saul, saying, “Why have you deceived me? For heeded the words which you spoke to me.
you are Saul!” 22 Now therefore, please, heed also the voice of
13 And the king said to her, “Do not be afraid. your maidservant, and let me set a piece of
What did you see?” bread before you; and eat, that you may have
And the woman said to Saul, “I saw a spirit strength when you go on your way.”
ascending out of the earth.” 23 But he refused and said, “I will not eat.”
14 So he said to her, “What is his form?” So his servants, together with the woman,
And she said, “An old man is coming up, urged him; and he heeded their voice. Then

468