Using Occultic Practices To try to Obtain God’s Blessing

The Amalekite and Geshurite communities along Israel’s border were constantly raiding the Philistines then retreating to Israel’s territory when pursued.  The Philistines blamed the raids on Israel, and when David’s attacks stopped the raids, Achish didn’t question his claims about attacking Israel.  Sixteen months after  David had gone to Gath for protection from Saul, the Philistines Decided to make a major attack on Israel, and Achish asked David to fight for him, in I Samuel 28:1-2.  “And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. And Achish said unto David, Know thou assuredly, that thou shalt go out with me to battle, thou and thy men.

And David said to Achish, Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do.

And Achish said to David, Therefore will I make thee keeper of mine head for ever.”  Achish selected David and his men to be his personal security force. 

Samuel had died three or four years before.  During Saul’s reign, he had made an effort to eliminate the various forms of occult practices in Israel.  When he saw the Philistine forces invading, He responded the same way he had reacted in the past, trying to get God’s direction, as we see in I Samuel 28:3-6.  “Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land.  And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa.  And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled.  And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.”

Saul’s sin had cut off his communication with God, as Isaiah 59:1-2 describes.  “Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.”  Not trusting God to do what was right, Saul felt he had to do something himself to ensure victory just as he had when he threatened to kill the people’s oxen if they didn’t help, when he offered the sacrifice because Samuel was late, and when he threatened to kill anyone who ate anything in an effort to motivate the people. 

With Samuel dead, and having killed the priests, like many today, Saul was too proud to confess his sin and ask forgiveness.   He decided to use occult practices to get God’s direction, as we see in I Samuel 28:7-10.  “Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and inquire of her.

And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.

And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto thee.

And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those that have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land: wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die?

And Saul sware to her by the LORD, saying, As the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.”

For years, Saul had had had those who dabbled in the occult killed.  The woman was sure she was being set up, but Saul invoked the Lord’s name to convince her it was okay.  She was accustomed to having a false spirit pretend to be the person, and was horrified, knowing there was something more Going on when Samuel himself appeared, in I Samuel 28:11-12.  “Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee?

And he said, Bring me up Samuel.

And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul.”

One mistake many make is thinking that because a psychic can tell them things about their past, he can tell them about the future.  Satan knows the past, and can bring out things no one else knows, just like you do, but like you, he has no way of knowing the future and can only make an educated guess based on what has happened in the past.  Saul asked additional Questions, to make sure it was really Samuel, in I Samuel 28:13-14.  “And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth.  And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself.”