What's your take on this? Does the medium that Saul consulted really "call up" the dead Samuel and experience him talking with Saul? Is this a "God thing?" Or a "Satan thing?" What are we to learn from this section of scripture? That God can do anything? That God can and will use even things of the occult to try to draw a wayward Saul back to him? What do you think?
Phillip: What a great string of questions. The first thing that comes to mind is Balaam's donkey. God can and does use any means to communicate with US.
This is not just about Saul...
So, Samuel's appearance (to speak with Saul) is a "God thing."
Re: the question of God using the occult to draw Saul back to him.
Samuel's appearance is not the occult. The process of bringing Samuel up was a sinful, forbidden request instigated by Saul via the medium (the occult). There is speculation that the medium was as surprised as Saul was. (Think smoke and mirrors--magic--to perform her "acts.") She (the occult) was not in control. God is.
Although Saul learned what he didn't want to hear, we are learning things we should hear.
First, we learn that communicating with the dead is forbidden. Secondly, we learn that there is an afterlife for us as there is for Samuel. Thirdly, an unanswered prayer (1 Sam 28:6-7) does not mean to take things into our own hands. Waiting can be a good thing.
I can't answer your questions but did find it interesting of all Saul's sins this was the one recorded by the chronicler regarding his death. Think it's pretty clear that a jealous God does not want us seeking guidance from anyone dead but from Him only.
1 Chronicles 10:13-14 (New International Reader's Version)
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