1 Samuel 28 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

1 Samuel 28 Summary - A Quick Overview

WHEN:

• Israel’s first king, Saul, was appointed in approximately 1050 B.C.

• The events documented in 1 Samuel 27 took place between approximately 1015-1010 B.C.

• David lived in the land of the Philistines for 1 year and 4 months (27:7).

CHARACTERS:

• Saul – The first king of Israel. He hated David and was always trying to kill him.

• Samuel – A prophet of God and the last significant judge of Israel. He anointed Saul and David as kings of Israel.

• David – The second king of Israel.

• Achish – The king of Gath.

• The Medium of Endor – A woman who Saul consulted in order to speak with Samuel after his death.  

WHERE:

• Saul went to a town called Endor to meet with a medium.

OUTLINE:

• SAUL AND THE MEDIUM AT ENDOR (28:1-25):

  • The Philistines gathered their armies for war against Israel.

  • David, who was living amongst the Philistines, planned to accompany his king, Achish, in the battle.  

  • Saul, the King of Israel, was terrified of the Philistines and he asked God for guidance.

  • When God didn’t answer him, he decided to consult with a medium to bring Samuel up from the dead to advise him.

  • He found a medium at Endor, disguised himself, and went to visit her.

  • Saul had to disguise himself because he had previously banished all mediums and necromancers from Israel.

  • When Saul arrived, the woman was hesitant to help him because she knew fulfilling his request would incriminate her, but Saul assured her he would keep her secret.  

  • When she summoned Samuel from the dead, it became clear to her that the man sitting across from her was King Saul.

  • She cried out in fear, but Saul ensured her she would not be punished.

  • When Samuel appeared, he asked Saul why he had summoned him.

  • Saul told him it was because God wouldn’t answer his pleas for help.

  • Samuel responded by telling Saul God had rejected him and was going to make David king in his place.

  • Furthermore, Samuel foretold Israel’s army would lose to the Philistines, and Saul and his sons would join him in death before the end of the next day.

  • Saul was terrified by this new revelation, and he fell on his face to the ground.

  • After the medium had prepared food for Saul and his men, they departed her house and went out into the night.

APPLICATION:

• The government cannot destroy what God protects.

• After trying to destroy God’s anointed king for years, Samuel told Saul his efforts had been in vain.

• All the might and legal authority of the King of Israel was rendered useless against God’s innumerable ways of protecting David.

• Can the Church survive and even flourish in places where the government opposes its existence?

• It can if God is protecting it and blessing it.

• As we’ve observed in 1 Samuel, a king, even a king with a vendetta, can’t stop God’s work.