Saul was greatly afraid, when he saw the size of the Philistine army. Would he nevertheless be successful if he attacked – would God bring about a great victory? – or should Saul retreat and await another opportunity? “When Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim” [the lots sometimes cast by the high priest in an effort to discern God’s will] “or by prophets” (I Samuel 28:6).

Since he could not get an answer from God through prayer, Saul took yet another step on the road to destruction: he consulted a medium. He had indeed endeavored to expel from the country all who practiced divination, but it turned out there was at least one left, and his courtiers found her for him (28:7-9). She reluctantly proceeded, and called up Samuel to speak to Saul (28:11-14). Was this an actual visitation from the dead, or trickery on her part? Saul certainly thought it was real. But the message was not encouraging: God had indeed abandoned Saul, the Philistines would win the battle, and Saul and his sons would die the next day (28:16-19).

And so it was. The Philistine army was victorious in the battle (31:1). They killed Saul’s three sons, and the archers had wounded Saul himself. Rather than be captured, he ordered his armor-bearer to kill him; but the armor-bearer was afraid to do so. So Saul fell on his own sword and died (31:2-4).

Saul’s reign had begun with so much hope, with the anointing of the Lord upon his kingship. But the more his heart sought to establish his own position and legacy, the more he turned away from simple obedience to the Lord, the more things continued to decay. In the end he had turned completely away from Yahweh and was hoping that witchcraft could somehow save him. When we turn away from God to focus on the things we want, we set ourselves on the road to desolation.

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Help us, Lord! We are no better than our ancestors, just as liable to the same temptation, wanting our own position and our own way, rather than seeking your kingdom and your righteousness. Grant us your mercy for the times we have turned aside; and change our hearts, that we may be faithful to you all our days.