I SAMUEL 28:6-25

Q: The story involving the Witch of Endor brings up a number of interesting questions.

At this point in the story, Samuel had been dead for some time (see 25:1). God had refused to give Saul guidance through the Urim and Thummin. And now, he was totally estranged from the priests who had possession of it.

Three theories:

(a) Satan gave the woman power to conjure up Samuel, (b) it was a false spirit sent from Satan or (c) it really was Samuel's spirit, but brought to earth by God's power.

Two main questions to answer (see below). Look for evidence one way or another in the text to see if you get any hints.

v. 7 Witch or medium, neocromancer (literally, “a woman of spirits, or a knowing one”). AB translates as “ghostwife.”

v. 8a To get to Endor, Saul needed to go around the Philistine army. Disguise serves a double purpose; shows his desperation

v. 8b consult a spirit (i.e. a familiar spirit)

v. 10 There is the irony of Saul swearing “as the LORD lives” in order to consult the dead.

v. 12 It is not clear how woman recognized Saul. Perhaps it should read, (as LXX) “when the woman heard the name Saul” as spoken by Samuel. Or, she could have been tipped off by Saul's assurances in verse 10.

v. 13 god = a supernatural being, spirit, ghost, etc.

earth, ground = underworld

v. 13-14 It is obvious that only the woman could see the spirit.

Isaiah 14:9-11 gives another picture of the spirits of Sheol being roused.

v. 15 Sheol is pictured as a place of rest. (Job 3:16-19) (See Psalm 88 for other OT beliefs regarding the state of the dead.)

Was it really Samuel's spirit rather than a counterfeit?

Samuel uses the divine name Yahweh seven times in his speech. This is unlikely for a false spirit or apparition.

NBC feels that this really was Samuel due to his foreknowledge (v. 14).

The parallel passage in I Chronicles 10:13-14. LXX adds the following: “Saul asked counsel of her that had a familiar spirit to inquire of her, and Samuel made answer to him.” This indicates a belief that it truly was Samuel speaking.

Who called up Samuel's spirit—God or the witch (through demonic means)?

Notice that Samuel blames Saul, not the woman, for disturbing him.

Note that the witch did not actually invoke the spirit. He seems to have come up by himself.

The terror of the woman could be in seeing a ghost for the first time.

It is unlikely that Satan has the power over the righteous dead.

Even if she did call up the spirit, we can't generalize that mediums are really able to conjure up the dead since this a unique occurrence.

The Transfiguration story may also indicate that God can call up the spirits of the righteous dead if He wishes.