Because You Did Not Obey the Lord

1 Samuel 28:1-25

Key Verse: 18

“Because you did not obey the Lord or carry out his fierce wrath against the Amalekites,

the Lord has done this to you today.”

In this passage, we will think about results of disobedience to God:

(1) Full of Fear;

(2) No answer for prayer:

(3) Punishment: Death

May God open our eyes of our hearts so that we can fully understand the seriousness of disobedience to Him, his words!

1. Read verses 1-6. When the Philistines gather their forces to fight Israel, what does Achish say to David? (1) What is the result of the conversation between David and Achish? (2) What has happened in Israel? (3) When the Philistines assemble at Shunem and Saul gathers all Israel at Gilboa, how is Saul feeling? (4,5) What does Saul do and what is the result? (6)

1-1) Read verses 1-2.

1 In those days the Philistines gathered their forces to fight against Israel. Achish said to David, “You must understand that you and your men will accompany me in the army.” 2 David said, “Then you will see for yourself what your servant can do.” Achish replied, “Very well, I will make you my bodyguard for life.”

3 Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in his own town of Ramah. Saul had expelled the mediums and spiritists from the land. 4 The Philistines assembled and came and set up camp at Shunem, while Saul gathered all the Israelites and set up camp at Gilboa. 5 When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid; terror filled his heart. 6 He inquired of the Lord, but the Lord did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets.

1-2) When the Philistines gather their forces to fight Israel, what does Achish say to David? (1)

a) Achish said to David

i) You and your men must accompany me in the army.

You must go out with me to battle against Israel.

1-3) What is the result of the conversation between David and Achish? (2)

a) David said to Achish: He lied to Achish.

You will see for yourself what your servant can do.

David previously lied to Achish that he attacked the Israel, when he actually did not.

Now he put himself to the position that he had to fight against Israel.

David would not fight against Israel for the Philistine.

But at that situation, he had no choice but to lie again.

b) Achish said to David again.

I will make you my bodyguard for life.

He was so happy to hear what David said.

1-4) What has happened in Israel? (3)

a) Samuel had died (1 Sam 25:1)

It is written again to emphasize the spiritual condition of Saul.

No spiritual leader was in Israel.

Saul was supposed to be a spiritual leader but he became slave of sins.

b) Saul had put the mediums and the spiritist out of the land:

Saul obeyed the Mosaic Law to cast out them. (Lev 19:31, 20:6, 27; Deut 18:9-14)

At that time, Saul probably was still influenced by Samuel.

1-5) When the Philistines assemble at Shunem and Saul gathers all Israel at Gilboa, how is Saul feeling? (4,5)

a) The Philistines encamped at Shunem. (see the map)

Shunem: 20 miles north of Aphek.

b) Saul was afraid, and terror filled his heart.

Once he was a man of courage. (1Sa 11:6-11)

But after the Holy Spirit left him, he became a man of fear. (1 Sam 16:14)

1-6) What does Saul do and what is the result? (6)

a) Saul inquired of the Lord, but the Lord did not answer him.

God spoke to people by dreams, or Urim or prophets before.

But God did not do any of these to Saul.

Saul sought God, but God was silent.

God does not listen to the [unrepentant] sinner.

b) Why is God silent towards Saul?

Because Saul has rejected God’s commands and wills. (v18)

If we continue to reject His word, He will not answer to our prayers.

2. Read verses 7-11. What does Saul do? (7-8a) What does Saul ask the medium? (8b) How does the medium respond to Saul’s request? (9) How does Saul persuade the medium to fulfill his request? (10) Who does Saul ask the medium to bring up? (11)

2-1) Read verses 7-11.

7 Saul then said to his attendants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her.”

“There is one in Endor,” they said. 8 So Saul disguised himself, putting on other clothes, and at night he and two men went to the woman. “Consult a spirit for me,” he said, “and bring up for me the one I name.” 9 But the woman said to him, “Surely you know what Saul has done. He has cut off the mediums and spiritists from the land. Why have you set a trap for my life to bring about my death?” 10 Saul swore to her by the Lord, “As surely as the Lord lives, you will not be punished for this.” 11 Then the woman asked, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” “Bring up Samuel,” he said.

2-2) What does Saul do? (7-8a)

a) Saul asked his attendants to find the medium.

It was not easy to find a medium because Saul himself put them out of the Israel.

Probably, Saul was aware that he could contact with the dead through a medium.

b) His attendants recommended one in Endor.

i) They should have dissuaded Saul from this wicked practice.

But they were not faithful men either.

ii) Endor was only a short distance away, on the north of the Hill of Moreh. (see map)

Located four miles northeast of Shunem:

c) Saul disguised himself to seek the medium.

He brings upon himself a curse. (Lev 20:6)

His disobedience was exposed: Actively doing what God commanded not to do it.

We must test ourselves whether we are doing the same thing like Saul.

Are we doing what God commanded us not to do?

Are we not doing what God commanded us to do?

2-3) What does Saul ask the medium? (8b)

a) Bring up for me the one I name: Samuel

Saul asked the medium to bring up the deceased prophet Samuel.

Probably, it was because Samuel was his guide and mentor (1 Samuel 9:25-26).

b) Saul depended on the medium.

This shows the depth of Saul’s fall from God.

He depended on the servants of Satan after disobeying God.

2-4) How does the medium respond to Saul’s request? (9)

a) “Surely you know what Saul has done. He has cut off the mediums and spiritists from the

land.”

The woman was afraid of Saul since Saul was around because of the war.

She thought Saul was very spiritual man who faithfully obey God and his words.

b) “Why have you set a trap for my life to bring about my death?”

She did not want to be exposed when Saul was around.

2-5) How does Saul persuade the medium to fulfill his request? (10)

Saul assures her that she won’t be punished.

Saul swore to her by the Lord.

Saul uses the name of the Lord in vain: how ironic and how wicked.

2-6) Who does Saul ask the medium to bring up? (11)

a) Bring up for me the one I name: Samuel

Saul asked the medium to bring up the deceased prophet Samuel.

3. Read verses 12-14. What does the medium do when she sees Samuel? (12) When Saul asks the woman what she sees, what does she tell him? (13,14a) What does Saul do when he knows it is Samuel? (14b)

3-1) Read verses 12-14.

12 When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out at the top of her voice and said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!” 13 The king said to her, “Don’t be afraid. What do you see?” The woman said, “I see a spirit coming up out of the ground.” 14 “What does he look like?” he asked. “An old man wearing a robe is coming up,” she said. Then Saul knew it was Samuel, and he bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground.

3-2) What does the medium do when she sees Samuel? (12)

a) When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice:

Probably, she did not expect to see the Samuel.

Possibly, the presence of the Holy Spirit might be terrifying to her.

This might be the work of the Holy Spirit, not the one of the medium.

Samuel appeared, not because the medium called for him.

But because God had a special purpose for it.

b) “Why have you deceived me? For you are Saul!”

She found out about Saul: how she found out this; not described clearly.

She was surprised because Saul was the one who drove out the mediums from Israel.

3-3) When Saul asks the woman what she sees, what does she tell him? (13,14a)

“I see a spirit coming up out of the ground.

An old man wearing a robe is coming up.”

3-4) What does Saul do when he knows it is Samuel? (14b)

a) Saul perceived that it was Samuel:

This was a real appearance of Samuel like Moses and Elijah (Matt 17:3)

b) He bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground.

Although he did not bow down to the Lord, but bowed down to the man, Samuel.

Saul was humble to Samuel, but extremely arrogant to God.

Is this humility or stupidity?

4. Read verses 15-19. What does Saul say to Samuel when he is questioned about the reason he brought Samuel up? (15) What does Samuel explain to Saul about what is happening? (16,17) Why is the Lord doing this? (18) What will happen to Saul and his sons, and to the army of Israel? (19)

4-1) Read verses 15-19.

15 Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” “I am in great distress,” Saul said. “The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has turned away from me. He no longer answers me, either by prophets or by dreams. So I have called on you to tell me what to do.” 16 Samuel said, “Why do you consult me, now that the Lord has turned away from you and become your enemy? 17 The Lord has done what he predicted through me. The Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hands and given it to one of your neighbors—to David. 18 Because you did not obey the Lord or carry out his fierce wrath against the Amalekites, the Lord has done this to you today. 19 The Lord will hand over both Israel and you to the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The Lord will also hand over the army of Israel to the Philistines.”

4-2) What does Saul say to Samuel when he is questioned about the reason he brought Samuel up? (15)

a) “I am deeply distressed”.

Because God no longer answer him even when the Philistines make war against him.

God has turned away from Saul.

b) “I have called you to tell me what to do”

Saul was asking for guidance.

Saul was fearful: not sure how to win this battle against the Philistine.

Saul never asked Samuel’s advice or inquired of the Lord after he disobeyed

the Lord twice. But suddenly in today’s event he was seeking God’s help and Samuel’s

help.

4-3) What does Samuel explain to Saul about what is happening? (16,17)

a) Samuel confirms what God had already said to Saul.

The Lord would give the kingdom to David.

The Lord already told Saul about this before. (1Sam 15:28-29)

The Lord did not change it.

4-4) Why is the Lord doing this? (18)

a) Because Saul disobeyed the Lord in the battle against the Amalekites. (1Sam 15:28-29)

Disobedience is serious sin and obedience is extremely important.

Blessing and curse is all based on our obedience or disobedience.

Saul also disobeyed the Lord’s command to wait Samuel to the end.

b) Why does obedience to God is so important?

Because obedience shows that we honor God above us.

Think about Adam’s disobedience and Jesus’ obedience to God.

Think about your own obedience to God based on God’s words.

Don’t you think we are far worse than Saul in many ways [apart from Jesus]?

4-5) What will happen to Saul and his sons, and to the army of Israel? (19)

19 The Lord will hand over both Israel and you to the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The Lord will also hand over the army of Israel to the Philistines.”

a) Tomorrow you and your sons will be with me.

Saul asked to know what to do.

But Samuel told him what would happen.

b) Assumption; implication; cautiously interpreted.

Saul and Jonathan would be with Samuel: It could mean that they would die. It could

mean that probably they were saved by grace. (?)

This text does not have any intention to say whether Saul was saved or not.

We must interpret the scripture textually, not just assumption.

5. Read verses 20-25. How does Saul respond to Samuel’s words? (20) How do the woman and Saul’s men help Saul? (21-25)

5-1) Read verses 20-25.

20 Immediately Saul fell full length on the ground, filled with fear because of Samuel’s words. His strength was gone, for he had eaten nothing all that day and night. 21 When the woman came to Saul and saw that he was greatly shaken, she said, “Look, your maidservant has obeyed you. I took my life in my hands and did what you told me to do. 22 Now please listen to your servant and let me give you some food so you may eat and have the strength to go on your way.” 23 He refused and said, “I will not eat.” But his men joined the woman in urging him, and he listened to them. He got up from the ground and sat on the couch. 24 The woman had a fattened calf at the house, which she butchered at once. She took some flour, kneaded it and baked bread without yeast. 25 Then she set it before Saul and his men, and they ate. That same night they got up and left.

5-2) How does Saul respond to Samuel’s words? (20)

b) Saul fell on the ground filled with fear. (v20a)

Because Saul realized that not only the Philistine but also the Lord became his enemies.

Bible clearly says that the Lord becomes our enemies when we disobey him continually. When the Lord becomes our enemy we are like dead meat. We do not need to think about our other enemies.

b) His strength was gone. (v20b)

He had eaten nothing all that day and night due to enormous stress.

When we have extreme stress, our body produces a lot of stress hormone to keep us up.

We can maintain for a while, but eventually, it will make us exhausted.

5-3) How do the woman and Saul’s men help Saul? (21-25)

The woman saw that Saul was severely troubled. So she offered him food.

Saul’s men also urged him to eat.

Saul finally ate and restored his physical strength.

He was like a man on death row waiting execution.

Life without God is like this.

Even now he could have repented and asked God’s mercy. But Saul did not take any action of repentance. If he believed what Samuel told him he could do something to save his sons including Jonathon and his soldiers. But he did not do anything.

In Conclusion

God did not answer to Saul because he did not obey God’s word. God did not protect Saul from the enemies because he did not seek the Lord. He sought Satan eventually. Although God is patient for us to repent and return to him, in His time, he will punish those who are rebellious and arrogant before Him continually. May God help us to humble ourselves before Him to seek Him with all our hearts and Know Him [His will, His heart] and obey His words wholeheartedly.

---