Chapter 27
Good Monday morning and greetings for the new week!
I had a dreadful nightmare the other night. In the dream, enormous animals like lions and tigers were sprawled in a room, and I couldn’t discern whether they were friend or foe. Then, a dark figure relentlessly clung onto me, persistently following and gripping tightly, making it impossible for me to shake it off.
I’m not the only one with nighttime scares …
This one is quite profound …. “coup de grâce” it encapsulates the weight of a final act or strike that brings an end to suffering, hope, or existence. It signifies a moment of decision, where a definitive action is taken, often with great significance and consequences.
Saul’s nighttime séance with the witch of Endor in 1 Samuel 28 is regarded as the coup de grâce on his tragic kingship of Israel.
Stephen Dempster … writes ;
The Witch of Endor is a biblical figure mentioned in the First Book of Samuel. According to the story, Saul, the first king of Israel, sought guidance from God but received no answer. In desperation, he consulted the Witch of Endor, also known as the medium or necromancer of Endor.
Saul disguised himself and visited the witch during the night, asking her to conjure up the spirit of the prophet Samuel, who had died. The witch complied and summoned Samuel’s spirit, which appeared before Saul. Samuel’s spirit prophesied Saul’s imminent defeat in battle and the loss of his kingdom, foretelling the end of his reign.
This text narrates a critical turning point in Israel’s history. The end of the first dynasty is at hand, and the tall ruler will fall as Saul, whose name means “the asked for one,” asks about the future from the place of the dead—Sheol. This word means “the asking place,” perhaps because death is always asking for more. The irony is that the asking place will soon have its request (“the asked for one”) fulfilled. Saul and Sheol are inseparably linked.
This text raises all kinds of theological questions. Did the witch have the ability to bring the departed spirits of the dead back to predict the future for the living, or was this simply a demonic delusion? Does not only God have the power to predict the future? Or do departed spirits or evil spirits?
Some interesting aspects to this story;
Ever since the Spirit of Yahweh departed from Saul when he disobeyed the Lord, he has tried to find supernatural insight and guidance for his kingship, but to no avail. Here, before an extremely important battle, Saul as a military leader is desperate for some supernatural guidance, as was the case generally before a battle in the ancient world. But his desperation finds no solution as God is silent through the media of prophets, Urim and Thummim, and dreams.
Saul crosses forbidden theological boundaries in virtual sacrilege and seeks guidance from a medium, a woman called a “mistress of necromancy.” This person is traditionally called “the witch of Endor,” presumably because she was well known in that area. ( Necromancy; occult communication with the deceased)
Saul takes two servants, disguises himself, and deceives the medium about his identity.
The witch hesitates by reminding him of his own prohibition before she engages in her occult practice.
When Samuel’s spirit shows up, the medium shrieks in shock but immediately recognises Saul, presumably because Samuel’s spirit has enlightened her.
Finally, Samuel adds that Saul and his sons –-the dynasty—will be joining Samuel in Sheol the next day when Israel will lose the battle against the Philistines.
Is this a particular story or an example of God bringing up the dead from Sheol (Samuel) and bringing down the living to Sheol (Saul), exalting the humble and abasing the proud?
There is a dark supernatural power to which mediums and diviners sought access in the ancient world. For the Israelites, however, this power was off limits. Yahweh was the ultimate power, and his transcendence meant that Israel must trust in him alone.
Was it jus an “over the top” prophetic exaggeration. God brought the prophet back from dead to remind him of this truth. The fact that Saul went out to battle the next day proves the truth. The story of Endor reminds us all of the importance and clarity of the divine word.
The Woman at Endor possesses valuable traits aside from her ability to communicate with the dead. She was courageous. Saul’s prohibition of mediums means that she puts her life at risk when she practices her trade. She proceeds only after being reassured—with a swear—that she will not be punished for bringing answers to the living from beyond the grave.
Finally, the Woman at Endor prepared a generous meal for Saul and his companions, and implored the devastated Saul to eat (1Sam 28:21-25). Why did she provide a meal for this man who deceived her? Perhaps she responded out of fear, cultural convention, royal protocol, genuine kindness, or as means to an end to get the royal entourage to leave. Maybe this meal indicates a quality of forgiveness that overrides her anger at Saul’s deceit.
Many questions remain to this story. Yet, these questions remind us of the importance of relying on divine guidance and the clarity of the divine word. It underscores the belief that true power lies with Yahweh.
In Saul’s’ case his near-death vision of Samuel is frightening. It is the Medium who provides comfort. As king, Saul holds the power of life and death over the witch. But she is not powerless. She’s been making her living undetected by authorities. She’s not afraid to tell a king who has just received a fatal diagnosis what to do: eat. Her compassion arrives in the form of a hastily prepared meal that enables Saul to face what lies ahead. God bless the hospice workers and chaplains of this world.
And isn’t this just like God using the unexpected, the unsanctioned and the unnamed to bring a bit of mercy to this troubled world? Again and again throughout scripture, God adapts to the chaos and confusion humans create to try to lead us toward peace?
We look through a dark glass trying to find God in a messy narrative. 1. Cor. 13.12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know only in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.
Tradition gave the Witch of Endor the name; Sedecla may be a transliteration of an old Hebrew name Tsedeqlah [from tsedeq righteous, just, exact, accurate] just in regard to her skill? or in regard to her act of mercy upon a King?
Israel’s unwavering faith in their all-powerful God revealed that He could never be manipulated or controlled. Instead, He could be relied upon to safeguard those who remained faithful. This divine communication came not through elusive codes or hidden signs, but through the voices of prophets and at times, through dreams and other extraordinary means.
In light of this, let us be guided by compassion, acting as conduits of God’s love in a world that often yearns for solace and understanding. May our hearts be open, our hands ready to extend comfort and support. Through our actions, may we contribute to the ongoing unfolding of God’s epic story, offering glimpses of His boundless grace and unwavering presence to those we encounter.
Wishing a good start to this new week.
Philemon