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1 Samuel 28 – Praying through the Bible #96 – A Prayer to a Witch
Ignored by God, terrified by life, left all alone, Saul turns to a witch. Feeling powerless, panicked, and lonely is dangerous; often leading to despair and desperate acts. “I would never” often and sadly means, “I haven’t yet.” Regret leads to regret. How many have done what we promised we never would, committed acts formerly disavowed, and contradicted everything we once stood for? How often and how many “just this once” have there been? A shocking discovery is how looking for hope can cause us to sin.
Saul is left all alone. Samuel has died (1 Samuel 28.3). Even though Samuel never saw the king again after his failing yet again (15.35); Saul is still struggling to do some good. In Saul’s defense, unlike many kings to follow him, he never falls into idolatry. And yet we see him inch towards it one time. In obedience to the Law, “Saul had removed the mediums and spirits from the land” (28.3). But Saul is living a false spiritual life. He doesn’t worship false gods, still believes in Yahweh, and yet is disconnected from God personally and spiritually. Doing some good, obeying some laws, cannot erase sin.
Saul is terrified by life. Although appearing ready for battle, “When Saul saw the Philistine camp, he was afraid and trembled violently” (28.5). Fear is the ruling emotion in Saul, making decisions for him. Fear leads to distrusting others, even maligning them falsely. Fear destroys relationship with God, family and friends. Every decision Saul has made is leading him to betray his own beliefs.
Saul is ignored by God. He “inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him in dreams or by the Urim or by prophets” (28.6). This happened the last time we saw this rejected king praying (14.37). No doubt God is signaling His disfellowship to Saul.
So Saul turns to a witch. What do we turn to when feeling powerless, panicked, and lonely?
There are many side stories to this yet another fall of Saul. Saul fears for his life and the dead, yet alive, Samuel prophecies he will die, further terrifying the terrified (28.19-20). Sometimes the answers we get are not what we want. Plus, God, not angels or departed saints, is the only one we pray to. Samuel chastises Saul saying, “Since the LORD has turned away from you and have become your enemy, why are you asking me?” (28.16). And then there is the witch’s scream showing she is a charlatan; which is all witchcraft and sorcery is, fakery (28.12). But what strikes me the hardest is the desperate act of a desperate man. Unwilling to get on his knees and repent, Saul is willing to trust a witch. After that night, no more could Saul say, “I would never do that.”
Prayer Challenge: “What do we turn to?” can be haunting. Even if it includes God, does it include other things we keep trying to turn away from? Pray.
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