The Folly of Saul’s Disobedience: A Warning Against the Occult

Scripture Reading: 1 Samuel 28:7-20

Today we turn to a sobering passage in God’s Word—1 Samuel 28:7-20—where we see King Saul, once chosen by God, spiral into desperation and disobedience. In his fear and rebellion, he seeks out a medium to contact the dead, turning from the living God to the powers of darkness. This passage is a stark warning for us today: when we reject God’s guidance and turn to forbidden paths, we invite judgment and despair. Let’s dive into this text and let the Holy Spirit teach us how to walk in obedience and trust in God alone.

Saul’s Rebellion: Turning from God’s Word

In 1 Samuel 28, we find Saul at the end of his rope. The Philistines are gathering for war, and Saul’s heart is gripped with fear (v. 5). He inquires of the Lord, but God is silent—no answer through prophets, dreams, or the Urim (v. 6). Why? Because Saul had long been disobedient. He failed to fully obey God’s command to destroy the Amalekites (1 Samuel 15), and he rejected the word of the Lord through Samuel. God had torn the kingdom from him and given it to David (1 Samuel 15:28).

Saul’s silence from God wasn’t God’s failure—it was the consequence of Saul’s persistent rebellion. Proverbs 1:28 warns, “Then they will call to me, but I will not answer.” When we turn from God’s Word, we cut ourselves off from His guidance. Saul’s life shows us that partial obedience is disobedience, and disobedience leads to desperation. Church, are we clinging to God’s Word, or are we flirting with compromise, thinking we can live on our own terms?

Saul’s Sin: Seeking the Occult

In his desperation, Saul does the unthinkable. He seeks out a medium at Endor, asking her to summon the spirit of Samuel (v. 7-11). This was no small sin. God’s Law strictly forbids consulting mediums or necromancers: “Do not turn to mediums or seek out spiritists, for you will be defiled by them. I am the Lord your God” (Leviticus 19:31). Saul himself had banned such practices from Israel (v. 3), yet in his fear, he turns to the very thing God condemns.

Listen!!, the occult is not a game. Whether it’s horoscopes, psychics, Ouija boards, or any form of witchcraft, these are doors to demonic influence. Deuteronomy 18:10-12 calls such practices “detestable” to God. Why? Because they bypass God’s authority and seek answers from powers opposed to Him. Saul’s visit to the medium wasn’t just a mistake—it was an act of rebellion, showing he trusted a witch more than the God who made him king. Let this be a warning: when we face trials, we must run to God, not to the world’s counterfeit solutions.

The Spirit of Samuel: A Message of Judgment

When the medium performs her ritual, something shocking happens: Samuel appears (v. 12-14). Some debate whether this was truly Samuel or a demonic deception, but the text suggests it was Samuel, allowed by God to deliver a final message. This was no comfort to Saul. Samuel rebukes him: “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” (v. 15). He reminds Saul of his disobedience and declares God’s judgment: “The Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David” (v. 17). Tomorrow, Saul and his sons would die, and Israel would fall to the Philistines (v. 19).

This encounter wasn’t a victory for the medium’s power—it was God’s sovereign act to pronounce judgment. Samuel’s message confirmed what God had already said: Saul’s rebellion had cost him everything. Church, this teaches us that God’s Word is final. No séance, no psychic, no shortcut can change what God has decreed. If we want to hear from God, we don’t need mediums—we have His Word, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit to guide us (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

The Consequences: Despair and Death

Saul’s response to Samuel’s words is heartbreaking: “He fell full length on the ground, filled with fear” (v. 20). No repentance, no turning to God—just despair. The next day, as Samuel foretold, Saul and his sons died in battle (1 Samuel 31). His story ends in tragedy, not because God was unfaithful, but because Saul chose disobedience over trust.

This is a warning for us today. Hebrews 10:31 says, “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” When we reject God’s commands and seek answers in forbidden places, we invite spiritual ruin. The world may dress up the occult as harmless—astrology apps, “spiritual” practices, or New Age teachings—but these are traps that lead us away from the true source of life, Jesus Christ.

 Our Call: Trust and Obey God Alone

What does Saul’s story mean for us? First, it calls us to obedience. Like Saul, we may face fears—financial struggles, health crises, or an uncertain future. But God’s Word is our guide. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” We don’t need to turn to the world’s solutions when we have the promises of God.

Second, it warns us to flee the occult. In our culture, the occult is everywhere—movies glamorize witchcraft, social media promotes “manifesting” or tarot cards, and even Christians can be tempted to dabble in these things. But 2 Corinthians 6:14 asks, “What fellowship can light have with darkness?” We must reject anything that competes with God’s truth.

Finally, it points us to Jesus, our true Mediator. Saul sought a medium because he felt cut off from God. But we have a better way. 1 Timothy 2:5 declares, “There is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.” Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has opened the way to God. We don’t need to summon spirits—we can go boldly to God’s throne through prayer (Hebrews 4:16).

Choose God’s Way Today

As we reflect on Saul’s tragic choice, let’s examine our own hearts. Are we trusting God fully, or are we tempted to seek answers elsewhere? Are we living in obedience, or are we compromising with the world? Saul’s story ends in despair, but ours doesn’t have to. Jesus offers forgiveness, guidance, and hope to all who turn to Him in faith.

If you’ve dabbled in the occult, repent today. Confess it to God, renounce those practices, and ask for His cleansing. If you’re struggling with fear or uncertainty, bring it to Jesus, who says, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). Let’s commit to walking in obedience, trusting God’s Word, and resting in Christ alone.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your holy Word, which warns us and guides us. Forgive us for any ways we’ve strayed from Your truth or sought answers apart from You. Cleanse us from any involvement with the occult, and fill us with Your Holy Spirit. Help us to trust and obey You, no matter the cost, and to rest in Jesus, our only Mediator. Keep us faithful until the day You return. Go in the strength of the Lord, clinging to His Word, rejecting the ways of darkness, and shining as lights for Christ in this world.

 Amen.

DMMc 6-10-2025