Saul's Faithless End

Read 1 Samuel 27-29, 1 Chronicles 12:19-22,
 
1 Samuel 28:7 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…11 Then the woman asked, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” “Bring up Samuel,” he said. 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!”…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…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.”
 
SAUL’s fear has so captivated his mind he goes to a witch – one who claims to have powers to speak to the dead. He had rightly banned such evil practices in Israel on the penalty of death. Now he believes he can find some kind of truth or salvation in a most unholy person.
   How is it Samuel appears from  the dead? This is God’s work to judge Saul. The medium’s fearful reaction indicates Samuel’s appearance was completely unexpected. She obviously had not seen anyone rise from the dead. She had no power but used others’ fears and superstitions to her advantage.
   But this time God turned Saul’s most unholy act into the declaration of his final holy judgment on Saul’s life. The fearful man can only respond with grief and despair. Saul did not hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:21) to be welcomed into his Father’s house. Instead, Saul heard, “now that the Lord has turned away from  you and become your enemy.”  What terror-striking words for the faithless to know! The time of repentance is past.
   Once again we see how one man’s disobedience destroyed many more. Saul’s sons will die with him, and Israel’s army will be in the Philistine’s hands. Israel wanted a king, so they could be as the other nations. They have had such a king. His ungodly, weak leadership has taken Israel once again into pagan captivity. Saul’s legacy is one of unholy fear.
 
Proverbs 14:14 The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways, and the good man rewarded for his.