V.1-2 David now finds himself in a hard position — a picture of a believer who compromises the truth. He had chosen to go and live with the enemies of Israel, and now he finds himself faced with the problem of fighting against his own people. If we do not remain faithfully on the side of our rejected Lord, we may find ourselves standing with those who resist the truth.
V.4-5 Again the mighty army of the Philistines is gathered against Israel, and Saul the king trembled greatly. Samuel was dead, David was gone away, and Saul didn’t know where to turn, for he was a stranger to the Lord. This is the contrast with David in 1 Samuel 23:1-41Then they told David, saying, Behold, the Philistines fight against Keilah, and they rob the threshingfloors. 2Therefore David inquired of the Lord, saying, Shall I go and smite these Philistines? And the Lord said unto David, Go, and smite the Philistines, and save Keilah. 3And David's men said unto him, Behold, we be afraid here in Judah: how much more then if we come to Keilah against the armies of the Philistines? 4Then David inquired of the Lord yet again. And the Lord answered him and said, Arise, go down to Keilah; for I will deliver the Philistines into thine hand. (1 Samuel 23:1‑4). So he turns to a “witch.” There were such in those days, and they were under the power of demons. Saul can turn no where else, so he turns to the devil for help.
V.7-20 What a terrible experience! The witch is amazed to see Samuel, and Saul is terrified at the message Samuel gives him. “Tomorrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me.” Dead! Of course, Samuel was obedient and Saul was disobedient, but they would both be in eternity. Some people would like to think that spiritists have power such as is here displayed. But that is not true. God brought up Samuel, and the witch was as frightened as Saul was at his coming up. She was used to demons impersonating dead people. They didn’t frighten her. Now Saul has just one day of life left him. Will he turn to the Lord and confess his guilt? Sad to say, he did not. Here was a man who was told that he would be dead in one day, and yet his heart was so hard that, though terrified, he went his way without God.