JOSEPH W. TKACH
April 1988
Dear Friend:
Thank you for your question concerning I Samuel 28.
There are many lessons here. Notice what happened. King Saul
asked God about the impending battle with the Philistines. But
God gave him no answer (I Sam. 28:1-6).
In great fear (verse 5), Saul disguised himself and went to
the witch at Endor, a woman who had contact with familiar spirits
or demons. She asked, "Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he
said, bring me up Samuel" (verse 11).
The woman complied with Saul's request -- or at least she
performed some ritual which made it appear that she did. And
"when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice" (verse
12) because she then realized she was dealing with King Saul and
could well be in jeopardy of her life for practicing witchcraft
(verses 3 and 9). But Saul told her not to be afraid and asked
what she had seen. She replied "I saw a god-like being coming up
out of the earth" (verse 13, Jewish translation).
Saul then asked the woman, "What form is he of? And she
said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle. And
Saul perceived [thought] that it was Samuel, and he stooped with
his face to the ground, and bowed himself" (verse 14).
In describing what she saw, the woman used these
expressions: "a god-like being," "an old man," and "he is covered
with a mantle." There is not one word that it was actually
Samuel himself! What did she see? She saw an evil spirit which
presented itself in a way in which it could be mistaken for
Samuel.
The Bible reveals that Satan is the prince of the power of
the air (Eph. 2:2). He is the god of this world and can transform
himself into an angel of light (II Cor. 4:4; 11:14). Satan and
his demons have the power to produce apparitions and to appear in
human or animal forms.
The next question in I Samuel 28 arises over verse 15: "And
Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me
up?" Why does the account read as though Samuel were speaking to
Saul?
It is merely a matter of what Saul wanted to see and hear.
Demons enjoy fooling people. This one took the opportunity to
play into Saul's hand by impersonating Samuel. It apparently knew
the outcome of the battle and told Saul that he would die the
following day and that his army would be defeated by the
Philistines.
Deception is one of Satan's devices (Rev. 12:9). I Samuel 28
records that "Samuel" spoke, although it was actually a demon
speaking through what looked like a human. Samuel was not there,
either in body or spirit. He was, and still is, dead and in his
grave, awaiting the resurrection. This account is written, at
least in part, from the human point of view, that is, the way it
appeared to the witch and to Saul. (For a complete explanation of
the state of the dead, we suggest reading our free booklet IS
THERE LIFE AFTER DEATH?)
This scripture in no way contradicts the multitude of clear
scriptures proving that the soul is mortal. For an explanation of
these scriptures, you may wish to request a copy of our booklet
WHAT IS MAN?
Whenever we may assist you further with your study of the
Bible, we hope you will let us know. It is our pleasure to serve
you.
PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE DEPARTMENT
PASTOR GENERAL