Why God Sent Samuel

 •  2 min. read  •  grade level: 8
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Samuel undoubtedly appeared to the terrified king, and addressed him with audible voice. But did the woman's movements produce him? Most assuredly not. The keys of death and of Hades are not within the reach of any mere creature (Rev. 1:1818I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. (Revelation 1:18)). Departed saints are in the Lord's own presence, enjoying without hindrance His favor, and the lost are “spirits in prison,” awaiting their final sentence in the great day. Saints are not at the mercy of wicked practitioners, and liable to be disturbed at any moment in order that such may earn a fee, and sinners are closely guarded by the power of God. If it be alleged that voices are sometimes heard coming from the world of spirits, the explanation is that demons impersonate the dead, and their aim is to deceive foolish listeners to their eternal ruin.
In Isaiah 8:1919And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead? (Isaiah 8:19) God asks indignantly why people should even wish to inquire of the dead, when they could, if they were willing, inquire of their Maker. “When they shall say unto you: seek unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto wizards that peep and mutter: should not a people seek unto their God? for the living to the dead?” No one could have been more shocked and horrified than the witch of Endor when Samuel actually appeared. She had never had such an experience before. Before she could commence her incantations, the person named stood before her. The astounding fact suggested to her mind that her visitor could be no less a person than the king. Only for him would God be likely to disturb the repose of the faithful prophet. What could Samuel do but pronounce the doom of one who so persistently sinned against light and privilege? For this solemn purpose God was pleased to send His servant back to earth that day. There was nothing of pity or mercy in his words, “Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the Lord, nor executedst His fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the Lord done this thing unto thee this day. Moreover, the Lord will also deliver Israel with thee into the hands of the Philistines: and tomorrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me” (1 Sam. 28:18-1918Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the Lord, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the Lord done this thing unto thee this day. 19Moreover the Lord will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the Lord also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines. (1 Samuel 28:18‑19)). The following day would thus be Saul's last on earth. What then? “With me” does not mean that Saul would share Samuel's bliss, but that he would he numbered among the dead even as the prophet was. Even Saul and Jonathan parted company in the hour of death. Jonathan we shall meet in the presence of the Lord Jesus at His coming, but not Saul.
Note the distinction between body and spirit. Saul's body (with those of his sons) was nailed by the Philistines to the wall of Bethshan (1 Sam. 31:1212All the valiant men arose, and went all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan, and came to Jabesh, and burnt them there. (1 Samuel 31:12)); his spirit, ere that indignity was perpetrated, was in Sheol.