Was it really the spirit of Samuel that talked with King Saul or something else?

[Bible Highlighter]

Was it really the spirit of Samuel that talked with King Saul or something else?

 

[tampasteve]

The Bible is silent on what it actually was or what happened, so we cannot truly know.

But, yes, I believe it was. Here is a pretty good article that I can agree with:
1 Samuel 28:3-25 - Don't Face the Future Without God - December 31, 2017 — Risen Savior Lutheran Church

Having studied it, I fall on the side that this was really Samuel who appeared to Saul by the will, power, and command of God. For three reasons. 1) The medium herself was stunned and shocked when she saw Samuel appear even before she had begun her séance – perhaps proving that she had never before successfully communicated with the dead (1 Samuel 28:12); 2) the message was nearly identical to Samuel’s final words to Saul (1 Samuel 15:22-33); and, perhaps most convincingly, 3) the details of the prophecy actually came true – which is the litmus test God has given us to determine whether any given prophecy is from God or from the devil. If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously.

 

[brinny]

Was it really the spirit of Samuel that talked with King Saul or something else?

Samuel, after he died, did what God abhors and warns against?

Let's back this up Biblically.

First, what is written about "familiar spirits", etc?

Secondarily, what had Saul done that would please/displease God?

 

[CharismaticLady]

Samuel, after he died, did what God abhors and warns against?

Let's back this up Biblically.

First, what is written about "familiar spirits", etc?

Secondarily, what had Saul done that would please/displease God?

Not only familiar spirits, demons posing as someone familiar who has died. Or even a spirit that lies and tells you they were someone 1000 years ago.

But there is also another command. Do not consult the dead. This is the command Saul broke, a sin unto death, and died the next day.

Boy, do I have a story that happened to me about the first one, and how God used me to clear out three people with familiar spirits. Wow!

 

[Bible Highlighter]

The Bible is silent on what it actually was or what happened, so we cannot truly know.

But, yes, I believe it was. Here is a pretty good article that I can agree with:
1 Samuel 28:3-25 - Don't Face the Future Without God - December 31, 2017 — Risen Savior Lutheran Church

Comparing articles, I believe it was a demon. This is unmistakable if one were to carefully piece together the breadcrumbs or clues involved in the story. I believe the article I provided makes it really clear.

https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3311&context=auss

In fact, the Scriptures say that Saul died for counseling one who had a familiar spirit. Familiar spirits are demons. So this witch was consulting her familiar spirit or demon (under the disguise that she was thinking it was what Saul was looking for, i.e. Samuel). It was clearly not the real Samuel. The real Samuel would not complain in bringing him up from the dead if it was an intervention by GOD. Would not Samuel gladly speak for the Lord? This and many other inconsistencies make it not only highly unlikely that this was the real Samuel, but impossible.

 

[eleos1954]

Was it really the spirit of Samuel that talked with King Saul or something else?

According to the bible God killed Saul

13So Saul died for his unfaithfulness to the LORD, because he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance, 14and he failed to inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.

The bible is clear we are not to consult mediums. Saul knew better that's why he was sneaking around meeting with the witch.

The dead are really dead and know nothing .... important truth to know to keep us from believing demons who may appear as "familiar spirits"

God killed him.

1st Chronicles 10

So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it; And enquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse. 1 Chronicles 10:13-14


Leviticus 19:31

“Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the Lord your God.

Exodus 22:18

“You shall not permit a sorceress to live.

Leviticus 20:27

“A man or a woman who is a medium or a necromancer shall surely be put to death. They shall be stoned with stones; their blood shall be upon them.”

Revelation 21:8

But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Leviticus 20:6

“If a person turns to mediums and necromancers, whoring after them, I will set my face against that person and will cut him off from among his people.

 

[CharismaticLady]

Comparing articles, I believe it was a demon. This is unmistakable if one were to carefully piece together the breadcrumbs or clues involved in the story. I believe the article I provided makes it really clear.

https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3311&context=auss

In fact, the Scriptures say that Saul died for counseling one who had a familiar spirit. Familiar spirits are demons. So this witch was consulting her familiar spirit or demon (under the disguise that she was thinking it was what Saul was looking for, i.e. Samuel). It was clearly not the real Samuel. The real Samuel would not complain in bringing him up from the dead if it was an intervention by GOD. Would not Samuel gladly speak for the Lord? This and many other inconsistencies make it not only highly unlikely that this was the real Samuel, but impossible.

The witch certainly had familiar spirits, but what she conjured was the real Samuel. That was why she was so shocked herself! Saul was consulting the dead, the real Samuel, and was dead the next day before 24 hours had passed.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

The witch certainly had familiar spirits, but what she conjured was the real Samuel. That was why she was so shocked herself! Saul was consulting the dead, the real Samuel, and was dead the next day before 24 hours had passed.

Demons have great power to deceive. So it is not surprising that he may have shocked the witch into seeing something she normally did not see.

Actually, the article provided shows why it cannot possibly be the real Samuel.

https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3311&context=auss

The entity impersonating Samuel said,

"Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines."
(1 Samuel 28:19).

This prophecy was not true. Saul was not delivered into the hands of the Philistines. Yes, Saul was shot full of arrows, and his escape seemed slim, but he was not captured by the Philistines or delivered into their hands. Saul killed himself before that could happen. So this was not the real Samuel. True prophets of GOD give accurate prophecies.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

According to the bible God killed Saul

13So Saul died for his unfaithfulness to the LORD, because he did not keep the word of the LORD and even consulted a medium for guidance, 14and he failed to inquire of the LORD. So the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.

The bible is clear we are not to consult mediums. Saul knew better that's why he was sneaking around meeting with the witch.

The dead are really dead and know nothing .... important truth to know to keep us from believing demons who may appear as "familiar spirits"

God killed him.

1st Chronicles 10

So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it; And enquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse. 1 Chronicles 10:13-14


Leviticus 19:31

“Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the Lord your God.

Exodus 22:18

“You shall not permit a sorceress to live.

Leviticus 20:27

“A man or a woman who is a medium or a necromancer shall surely be put to death. They shall be stoned with stones; their blood shall be upon them.”

Revelation 21:8

But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

Leviticus 20:6

“If a person turns to mediums and necromancers, whoring after them, I will set my face against that person and will cut him off from among his people.

Well, Saul actually killed himself. He took his own life. Yes, God could have prevented Saul from killing himself, so the Lord allowing Saul to kill himself was what GOD allowed (even if the Lord did not approve of Saul's choice to take his own life).

 

[ViaCrucis]

Everything in the text points to the fact that this was actually Samuel. Samuel's "spirit" or "soul" or "ghost" as it were, is probably acceptable. But we shouldn't get too carried away. But everything points to it being Samuel, and there's no reason not to believe that is the case, given what the text very clearly and explicitly says.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[xxkingskidlmxx]

whatever it was the question is did it obtain for Saul the position Achish (אָכִישׁ) ,two Philistine rulers of gath the general title of royalty, applicable to the philistine kings.

 

[CharismaticLady]

"Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines."
(1 Samuel 28:19).

This prophecy was not true. Saul was not delivered into the hands of the Philistines. Yes, Saul was shot full of arrows, and his escape seemed slim, but he was not captured by the Philistines or delivered into their hands. Saul killed himself before that could happen. So this was not the real Samuel. True prophets of GOD give accurate prophecies.

Good argument, so I will ponder the Scripture account and get back to you. Right, now I still think it was the real Samuel, and the reason the witch was surprised was NOT because she had never conjured a spirit before, so you might want to think about that.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Also, according to 1 Chronicles, Saul died because he sought counsel with one who had a familiar spirit.

"So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it; And enquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse. (1 Chronicles 10:13-14).

It seems kind of odd that God would intervene in a situation that He condemned.

 

[topher694]

100% not Samuel. It was a familiar spirit. Jesus himself said such a thing was not possible in Luke 16.

 

[PloverWing]

The author of I Samuel seems to think it was actually Samuel. I wasn't there, so I don't have any direct knowledge to say that the author of I Samuel was mistaken. I've heard the theory that Samuel was being impersonated by a demon or other spirit-being, but I don't see I Samuel saying that.

If you're asking me to be skeptical about witches genuinely being able to summon the dead -- of course I'm skeptical, like most other post-Enlightenment people. But the author of I Samuel writes as though it's genuinely Samuel. (28:15, "Samuel said to Saul ..."; 28:16, "Samuel said...")

As for the prophecy:

The entity impersonating Samuel said,

"Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines."
(1 Samuel 28:19).

This prophecy was not true. Saul was not delivered into the hands of the Philistines. Yes, Saul was shot full of arrows, and his escape seemed slim, but he was not captured by the Philistines or delivered into their hands. Saul killed himself before that could happen. So this was not the real Samuel. True prophets of GOD give accurate prophecies.

The host of Israel was delivered into the hand of the Philistines, in the sense that they lost the battle, and Saul and his sons were soon with Samuel, in the sense that they died during the battle -- the sons in combat, and Saul by suicide.

100% not Samuel. It was a familiar spirit. Jesus himself said such a thing was not possible in Luke 16.

I don't see where Jesus says in Luke 16 that the dead cannot return to earth. What verse did you have in mind?

 

[Bible Highlighter]

The author of I Samuel seems to think it was actually Samuel. I wasn't there, so I don't have any direct knowledge to say that the author of I Samuel was mistaken. I've heard the theory that Samuel was being impersonated by a demon or other spirit-being, but I don't see I Samuel saying that.

If you're asking me to be skeptical about witches genuinely being able to summon the dead -- of course I'm skeptical, like most other post-Enlightenment people. But the author of I Samuel writes as though it's genuinely Samuel. (28:15, "Samuel said to Saul ..."; 28:16, "Samuel said...")

As for the prophecy:


The host of Israel was delivered into the hand of the Philistines, in the sense that they lost the battle, and Saul and his sons were soon with Samuel, in the sense that they died during the battle -- the sons in combat, and Saul by suicide.

I don't see where Jesus says in Luke 16 that the dead cannot return to earth. What verse did you have in mind?

Just because the Bible says it was Samuel does not mean it was the real Samuel. I provided an explanation to this (from an article) so as to explain this. Anyways, here are...

7 Reasons why it was not the Real Samuel:

#1. The medium or witch is a polytheist.

The medium tells Saul, “I see ’elohim (‘gods’, KJV) coming up from the earth” (28:13). The term ’elohim can be translated as a singular (God or god) or plural (gods), usually depending on context,21 but here the medium uses it with a plural verb: “they are coming up.” This is consistent with polytheism: the Philistines use ’elohim with plural grammar (4:8), and it is used in describing the worship of gods other than Yahweh (8:8; 26:19).22 Saul’s reply ignores her plural, and uses the singular: “What does he look like?” (28:14). Saul is a monotheist. The medium then perhaps changes her story to suit her audience, or perhaps focuses on just one of the apparitions she sees arising,23 and says, “An old man is coming up” (28:14).

#2. The rebuke by the apparent Samuel complains about “bringing me up”

One smaller detail also questions the identity of the apparent Samuel. The opening line of his rebuke is “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Considering the scale of the issues at stake for Israel and its king, this would be a rather petty and self-focussed comment for the real Samuel.43 And it would be strange indeed if it came from a prophet who was very willing to be awakened, and to disturb Eli repeatedly, in order to hear a word from Yahweh (1 Sam 3). If, as a number of commentators argue,44 God seized the initiative to turn an occultic consultation into an opportunity for true prophecy, why would Samuel begin by complaining about being there at all? Would he not willingly go on a mission for God?

#3. Bringing up was credited to the Medium and Saul and not by an intervention by GOD.

Why would the real Samuel credit the woman or Saul with bringing him up? The phrase “come/bring up” is noticeably repeated in the conjuration scene. Saul has asked the woman to bring someone up (28:8, Hiphil of hl[), and she has asked him whom to bring up (28:11, Hiphil of hl[) and been told to bring up Samuel (28:11, Hiphil of hl[), then described the divinized dead and then an old man coming up (28:13, 14, Qal of hl[) and after all that repetition of the phrase, the apparent Samuel than complains about being brought up. As Pigott points out, “according to Samuel’s words in v.15, he was disturbed from his sleep by the conjuring.”45 If this was the real Samuel sent by God, why would he suggest the medium had brought him up?

#5. The rebuke ignores the most obvious issue.

The rebuke by the apparent Samuel does not blame Saul for his most obvious sin of all—the divination itself. One grumpy, self-centred complaint about having his own sleep disturbed is hardly equivalent to a rebuke for the damning sin of divination. Miscall observes: “Samuel says nothing of Saul’s sin of divination and consulting a medium.”47 Pigott also comments: “In every passage where necromancy is mentioned, the Hebrew Bible clearly decries the practice and/or condemns the practitioner—every passage, that is, except one. One of the most striking aspects of the account is the complete absence of the expected negative word about the witch.”48 By contrast, Chronicles reveals that the divination was a key reason for Saul’s death: “Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the Lord, even against the word of the Lord, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit [an ‘ob], to inquire of it; and inquired not of the Lord: therefore He slew him.” (1 Chron 10:13, 14, KJV).

#6. The apparent Samuel’s predictions are questionable and not accurate.

Many commentators accept that the predictions of the apparent Samuel come true, but careful examination reveals nagging questions about the accuracy of some details. Of course the prediction generally comes true: Israel suffers military defeat. Yet this was not difficult to predict, and Saul already feared it (1 Sam 28:5). However some details do not ft. The prediction is, “Yahweh will hand over both Israel and you to the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me.” Yet Saul is not handed to the Philistines—he kills himself before they can get him. The Philistines do take his body, but this does not happen “tomorrow” as they do not come to strip the bodies until the day after (31:8), and the men of Jabesh Gilead soon recover his body immediately and put it permanently beyond Philistine reach (1 Sam 31:12-13; cf 2 Sam 21:12-14). And perhaps most obvious, Saul’s sons do not all die on the same day. It appears that they have, as three sons die in battle (1 Sam 31:2) and the narrator has so far listed only three sons for Saul (Jonathan, Ishvi, Malki-Shua, 1 Sam 14:49) compared with four listed by the Chronicler (Jehonathan, Malki-Shua, Abinadab and Esh-Baal, 1 Chron 8:33).51 Yet a few chapters after the apparent Samuel’s prediction, “Ish-Bosheth son of Saul” appears, with the title “son of Saul” repeatedly linked to his name even when it is not necessary as he has already been introduced (2 Sam 2:8-10, 12, 15; 4:8).

#7. Saul was killed because He consulted a medium that had a familiar spirit and to inquire of IT. Why would GOD participate in a situation that He condemns?

The Bible says,

"So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire of it;" (1 Chronicles 10:13).

This verse alone should be sufficient to destroy any non-sense that GOD intervened. For one of the reasons Saul is said to die is because he consulted a FAMILIAR SPIRIT. The witch was not the familiar (fami-LIAR) spirit. It was the demon that she conjured up to talk with Saul. It says that Saul inquired of it. IT. IT. The witch is not an "it" because she was a female. The "IT" is the familiar spirit. In other words, this text says it was not GOD, and it was because Saul contacted a FAMILIAR SPIRIT that was the cause of his death (in addition to the other wrong things he did).


Side Note:

Does the narrator say Samuel appeared?

A number of commentators reason that the real Samuel must have appeared because the narrator tells us that Saul “knew” (NIV) or “perceived” (KJV) “that it was Samuel” (1 Sam 28:14), and then that “Samuel said to Saul” and “Samuel said” (28:15, 16). I submit that this is an example of focalization, the technique in which the narrator temporarily adopts the point of view of a character. It is well accepted among literary scholars that an otherwise omniscient narrator can put aside that privilege for a time to adopt “the perspective of one of the characters, and see ‘through his or her eyes.’”66 Alter shows that hinneh “(the familiar ‘behold’ of the King James Version) is often used to mark a shift in narrative point of view from third-person omniscience to the character’s direct perception.”

A writer can show a character’s views and perceptions either in that character’s own words (direct speech) or in a focalized narration (free indirect speech), but the effect is very similar. Even if the character’s views and perceptions are wrong, the dependable, reliable biblical narrator has the flexibility to use focalization when it suits a purpose, such as letting the reader enter a character’s “mind and . . . secret motives or ‘participate in the experience with the protagonist.’”70 These shifts in point of view can be marked by the use of hinneh (“behold”),71 but also “verbs of perception (‘to see,’ ‘to hear,’ ‘to know’) can be important indicators of specific focalizations,” though “the context is decisive.”72

This focalization technique is apparent elsewhere in 1 Samuel. For example, in 4:5-11 the Philistines hear a shout and know (verbs of perception) that a god has come into the camp, but in fact this is merely their perspective: it is not a god but the ark of Yahweh. In this case the narrator renders their perception by quoting their direct speech in contradiction of what he has told us really happened, but elsewhere the narrator also uses focalized narrations (free indirect speech) to reflect a character’s perception. For example, in 1 Samuel 5 the narrator describes the idol of the Philistine god Dagon as if it were a person. The description adopts the perspective of the Philistines. The narrator tells us that they enter the temple and then the narration cuts (or focalizes) to their point of view: “and hinneh (behold, KJV), Dagon was fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of Yahweh! And Dagon’s head and both the palms of his hands were broken off on the threshold. Only Dagon was left to him” (1 Sam 5:473). Here a stone idol is described as if it were a living ’elohim by a writer who does not actually think it is, but wants to imitate the Philistine point of view. The effect is to let the reader experience the consternation of the Philistines, in a way that mocks their god from within their religious paradigm.


Source used:
https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3311&context=auss

 

[Kaon]

Was it really the spirit of Samuel that talked with King Saul or something else?

Something else.

 

[Kaon]

Just because the Bible says it was Samuel does not mean it was the real Samuel. I provided an explanation to this (from an article) so as to explain this. Anyways, here are...

7 Reasons why it was not the Real Samuel:

#1. The medium or witch is a polytheist.

The medium tells Saul, “I see ’elohim (‘gods’, KJV) coming up from the earth” (28:13). The term ’elohim can be translated as a singular (God or god) or plural (gods), usually depending on context,21 but here the medium uses it with a plural verb: “they are coming up.” This is consistent with polytheism: the Philistines use ’elohim with plural grammar (4:8), and it is used in describing the worship of gods other than Yahweh (8:8; 26:19).22 Saul’s reply ignores her plural, and uses the singular: “What does he look like?” (28:14). Saul is a monotheist. The medium then perhaps changes her story to suit her audience, or perhaps focuses on just one of the apparitions she sees arising,23 and says, “An old man is coming up” (28:14).

#2. The rebuke by the apparent Samuel complains about “bringing me up”

One smaller detail also questions the identity of the apparent Samuel. The opening line of his rebuke is “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Considering the scale of the issues at stake for Israel and its king, this would be a rather petty and self-focussed comment for the real Samuel.43 And it would be strange indeed if it came from a prophet who was very willing to be awakened, and to disturb Eli repeatedly, in order to hear a word from Yahweh (1 Sam 3). If, as a number of commentators argue,44 God seized the initiative to turn an occultic consultation into an opportunity for true prophecy, why would Samuel begin by complaining about being there at all? Would he not willingly go on a mission for God?

#3. Bringing up was credited to the Medium and Saul and not by an intervention by GOD.

Why would the real Samuel credit the woman or Saul with bringing him up? The phrase “come/bring up” is noticeably repeated in the conjuration scene. Saul has asked the woman to bring someone up (28:8, Hiphil of hl[), and she has asked him whom to bring up (28:11, Hiphil of hl[) and been told to bring up Samuel (28:11, Hiphil of hl[), then described the divinized dead and then an old man coming up (28:13, 14, Qal of hl[) and after all that repetition of the phrase, the apparent Samuel than complains about being brought up. As Pigott points out, “according to Samuel’s words in v.15, he was disturbed from his sleep by the conjuring.”45 If this was the real Samuel sent by God, why would he suggest the medium had brought him up?

#5. The rebuke ignores the most obvious issue.

The rebuke by the apparent Samuel does not blame Saul for his most obvious sin of all—the divination itself. One grumpy, self-centred complaint about having his own sleep disturbed is hardly equivalent to a rebuke for the damning sin of divination. Miscall observes: “Samuel says nothing of Saul’s sin of divination and consulting a medium.”47 Pigott also comments: “In every passage where necromancy is mentioned, the Hebrew Bible clearly decries the practice and/or condemns the practitioner—every passage, that is, except one. One of the most striking aspects of the account is the complete absence of the expected negative word about the witch.”48 By contrast, Chronicles reveals that the divination was a key reason for Saul’s death: “Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the Lord, even against the word of the Lord, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit [an ‘ob], to inquire of it; and inquired not of the Lord: therefore He slew him.” (1 Chron 10:13, 14, KJV).

#6. The apparent Samuel’s predictions are questionable and not accurate.

Many commentators accept that the predictions of the apparent Samuel come true, but careful examination reveals nagging questions about the accuracy of some details. Of course the prediction generally comes true: Israel suffers military defeat. Yet this was not difficult to predict, and Saul already feared it (1 Sam 28:5). However some details do not ft. The prediction is, “Yahweh will hand over both Israel and you to the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me.” Yet Saul is not handed to the Philistines—he kills himself before they can get him. The Philistines do take his body, but this does not happen “tomorrow” as they do not come to strip the bodies until the day after (31:8), and the men of Jabesh Gilead soon recover his body immediately and put it permanently beyond Philistine reach (1 Sam 31:12-13; cf 2 Sam 21:12-14). And perhaps most obvious, Saul’s sons do not all die on the same day. It appears that they have, as three sons die in battle (1 Sam 31:2) and the narrator has so far listed only three sons for Saul (Jonathan, Ishvi, Malki-Shua, 1 Sam 14:49) compared with four listed by the Chronicler (Jehonathan, Malki-Shua, Abinadab and Esh-Baal, 1 Chron 8:33).51 Yet a few chapters after the apparent Samuel’s prediction, “Ish-Bosheth son of Saul” appears, with the title “son of Saul” repeatedly linked to his name even when it is not necessary as he has already been introduced (2 Sam 2:8-10, 12, 15; 4:8).

#7. Saul was killed because He consulted a medium. Why would GOD participate in a situation that He condemns?

The Bible says,

"So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire of it;" (1 Chronicles 10:13).

This verse alone should be sufficient to destroy any non-sense that GOD intervened. For one of the reasons Saul is said to die is because he consulted a FAMILIAR SPIRIT. The witch was not the familiar (fami-LIAR) spirit. It was the demon that she conjured up to talk with Saul. It says that Saul inquired of it. IT. IT. The witch is not an "it" because she was a female. The "IT" is the familiar spirit. In other words, this text says it was not GOD, and it was because Saul contacted a FAMILIAR SPIRIT that was the cause of his death (in addition to the other wrong things he did).


Side Note:

Does the narrator say Samuel appeared?

A number of commentators reason that the real Samuel must have appeared because the narrator tells us that Saul “knew” (NIV) or “perceived” (KJV) “that it was Samuel” (1 Sam 28:14), and then that “Samuel said to Saul” and “Samuel said” (28:15, 16). I submit that this is an example of focalization, the technique in which the narrator temporarily adopts the point of view of a character. It is well accepted among literary scholars that an otherwise omniscient narrator can put aside that privilege for a time to adopt “the perspective of one of the characters, and see ‘through his or her eyes.’”66 Alter shows that hinneh “(the familiar ‘behold’ of the King James Version) is often used to mark a shift in narrative point of view from third-person omniscience to the character’s direct perception.”

A writer can show a character’s views and perceptions either in that character’s own words (direct speech) or in a focalized narration (free indirect speech), but the effect is very similar. Even if the character’s views and perceptions are wrong, the dependable, reliable biblical narrator has the flexibility to use focalization when it suits a purpose, such as letting the reader enter a character’s “mind and . . . secret motives or ‘participate in the experience with the protagonist.’”70 These shifts in point of view can be marked by the use of hinneh (“behold”),71 but also “verbs of perception (‘to see,’ ‘to hear,’ ‘to know’) can be important indicators of specific focalizations,” though “the context is decisive.”72

This focalization technique is apparent elsewhere in 1 Samuel. For example, in 4:5-11 the Philistines hear a shout and know (verbs of perception) that a god has come into the camp, but in fact this is merely their perspective: it is not a god but the ark of Yahweh. In this case the narrator renders their perception by quoting their direct speech in contradiction of what he has told us really happened, but elsewhere the narrator also uses focalized narrations (free indirect speech) to reflect a character’s perception. For example, in 1 Samuel 5 the narrator describes the idol of the Philistine god Dagon as if it were a person. The description adopts the perspective of the Philistines. The narrator tells us that they enter the temple and then the narration cuts (or focalizes) to their point of view: “and hinneh (behold, KJV), Dagon was fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of Yahweh! And Dagon’s head and both the palms of his hands were broken off on the threshold. Only Dagon was left to him” (1 Sam 5:473). Here a stone idol is described as if it were a living ’elohim by a writer who does not actually think it is, but wants to imitate the Philistine point of view. The effect is to let the reader experience the consternation of the Philistines, in a way that mocks their god from within their religious paradigm.


Source used:
https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3311&context=auss

Disturbing a demon's "rest" is serious business. By definition, demons are to have no rest, so the "deals" it has to make to get "an hour of rest" were expensive.

Which is why sleep (a carnal thing) is mentioned. It is appointed for a man to die once, then judgment. If Saul was redeemed and allowed, he would appear like Other "dead" human men have appeared.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Something else.

I believe it was clearly a demon.

Saul was killed because He consulted a medium that had a familiar spirit (i.e. demon) and to inquire of IT.

The Bible says,

"So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire of it;" (1 Chronicles 10:13).

Saul is said to die is because he consulted a FAMILIAR SPIRIT. The witch was not the familiar (fami-LIAR) spirit. It was the demon that she conjured up to talk with Saul. It says that Saul inquired of it. IT. IT. The witch is not an "it" because she was a female. The "IT" is the familiar spirit. In other words, Saul contacted a FAMILIAR SPIRIT that was the cause of his death (in addition to the other wrong things he did).

 

[Kaon]

I believe it was clearly a demon.

Saul was killed because He consulted a medium that had a familiar spirit (i.e. demon) and to inquire of IT.

The Bible says,

"So Saul died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire of it;" (1 Chronicles 10:13).

Saul is said to die is because he consulted a FAMILIAR SPIRIT. The witch was not the familiar (fami-LIAR) spirit. It was the demon that she conjured up to talk with Saul. It says that Saul inquired of it. IT. IT. The witch is not an "it" because she was a female. The "IT" is the familiar spirit. In other words, Saul contacted a FAMILIAR SPIRIT that was the cause of his death (in addition to the other wrong things he did).

It should be clear, but you know how that goes...

I don't blame the people asking, though. I thoroughly encourage it. All blame from me goes back to Church leadership - clearly, because since Saul we have been messing and dabbling with stuff we were told to stay away from. It shouldn't take an understanding of magick and the occult for us to realize why He told us not to mess with familiar spirits - we should just do it.