Some years after his decease, Samuel had the unique experience of being sent back to earth with a message from God. The battle of Gilboa was impending, and Saul was in a desperate plight, having the dismal feeling that ruin would result. He tried to get through to God for counsel and help-the God whom he had so grievously slighted throughout his reign. But “The Lord answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets” (1 Sam. 28:6). “God is departed from me,” he wailed, “and answereth me no more.” This reminds us of Hosea 4:17: “Ephraim is joined to idols: let him alone.” It is a serious thing for anyone to refuse to hear the voice of God, for even His patience has limits. All Christendom will prove this shortly when divinely given up to the delusions of the man of sin (2 Thess. 2).