Samuel Summoned From the Dead 1 Sam 25:1, 28:3-18

1 Sam 25:1 (ESV) Now Samuel died. And all Israel assembled and mourned for him, and they buried him in his house at Ramah. Samuel _______.

1 Sam 25:1 (ESV) Now Samuel died. And all Israel assembled and mourned for him, and they buried him in his house at Ramah. Samuel _______. How did he die?

1 Sam 25:1 (ESV) Now Samuel died. And all Israel assembled and mourned for him, and they buried him in his house at Ramah. Samuel _______. How did he die? Is Samuel dies in 1 Samuel 25, why do you think they call the next book 2 Samuel?

1 Sam 25:1 (ESV) Now Samuel died. And all Israel assembled and mourned for him, and they buried him in his house at Ramah. According to wikipedia, Samuel was a single book and divided into two sections (as was Kings) due to the convenient length of scrolls. These books together were called the Books of the Kingdoms. Grouped with Joshua and Judges, they form the Deuteronomistic History, showing how the teaching of Deuteronomy worked itself out in the history of God’s people. - Holman Bible Dictionary

1 Sam 25:1 (ESV) Now Samuel died. And all Israel assembled and mourned for him, and they buried him in his house at Ramah. Do you think Samuel was buried inside his house, or on his property?

1 Sam 25:1 (ESV) Now Samuel died. And all Israel assembled and mourned for him, and they buried him in his house at Ramah. Do you think Samuel was buried inside his house, or on his property? Coffman’s Commentary says “the burial of a dead body in Samuel's house would have made the place ceremonially ‘unclean’ in perpetuity. In the light of these reasons, we believe that Samuel was buried in the garden or the courtyard of his residence.”

1 Sam 25:1 (ESV) Now Samuel died. And all Israel assembled and mourned for him, and they buried him in his house at Ramah. How did the nation of Israel react to the loss Samuel?

1 Sam 25:1 (ESV) Now Samuel died. And all Israel assembled and mourned for him, and they buried him in his house at Ramah. How did the nation of Israel react to the loss Samuel? Does this seem appropriate?

1 Sam 25:1 (ESV) Now Samuel died. And all Israel assembled and mourned for him, and they buried him in his house at Ramah. How did the nation of Israel react to the loss Samuel? Does this seem appropriate? Do you think Saul and David suffered an even greater loss than Israel did?

1 Sam 28:3a (ESV) Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. Why do you think Samuel’s death is restated 3 chapters later?

1 Sam 28:3a (ESV) Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. Why do you think Samuel’s death is restated 3 chapters later? “The Narrator repeats the fact that Samuel was dead and had been buried in Ramah to make the point that Saul had no legitimate source of guidance in the face of the massive Philistine invasion.” - James E. Smith, 1 & 2 Samuel (The College Press NIV Commentary)

1 Sam 28:3b (ESV) And Saul had put the mediums and the necromancers out of the land. Why do you think Saul kicked all the mediums (people who communicate with the dead) and the necromancers (wizards, witches, magicians) out of Israel? Ex 22:18 (ESV) “You shall not permit a sorceress to live. Lev 19:31 (ESV) “Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the Lord your God.

1 Sam 28:3b (ESV) And Saul had put the mediums and the necromancers out of the land. Why do you think Saul kicked all the mediums (people who communicate with the dead) and the necromancers (wizards, witches, magicians) out of Israel? Later in today’s text, Saul consults a medium. How does this jive with the law of God and the law of the king?

1 Sam 28:4 (ESV) The Philistines assembled and came and encamped at Shunem. And Saul gathered all Israel, and they encamped at Gilboa. “Shunem was located on a hill next to the Via Maris, the major trade route passing through the Promised Land. The Philistines desired to control this region, which included the Valley of Jezreel … To oppose the Philistine, ‘Saul gathered all the Israelites and set up camp at Gilboa,’ likely a mountain just south of Shunem that overlooked the Via Maris and the Valley of Jezreel through which it passed. From this vantage point, Saul could view the Philistine troop movements in relative safety.” -Robert D. Bergen, 1, 2 Samuel (New American Commentary)

1 Sam 28:5 (ESV) When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. From his vantage point on the mountain at Gilboa, what did Saul see?

1 Sam 28:5 (ESV) When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. From his vantage point on the mountain at Gilboa, what did Saul see? How did it make him feel?

1 Sam 28:6 (ESV) And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets. Does it make sense to you that Saul would seek God’s will at a time like this?

1 Sam 28:6 (ESV) And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets. Does it make sense to you that Saul would seek God’s will at a time like this? Does God answer him?

1 Sam 28:6 (ESV) And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets. Does it make sense to you that Saul would seek God’s will at a time like this? Does God answer him? "How strange that the man who hated and persecuted the prophets Samuel and David expected to be answered by prophets, and that he who had slain eighty-five priests with all of their wives and children, including even the High Priest, expected to be answered by the Urim, and that he who had sinned away the Spirit of God expected to be answered by heavenly dreams! God is not mocked!” –Matthew Henry

1 Sam 28:6 (ESV) And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets. Does it make sense to you that Saul would seek God’s will at a time like this? Does God answer him? Does it seem like Saul viewed God as a safety net rather than a lifeline, consulting Him only when faced with a situation that seemed impossibly beyond his own control?

1 Sam 28:6 (ESV) And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets. Does it make sense to you that Saul would seek God’s will at a time like this? Does God answer him? Does it seem like Saul viewed God as a safety net rather than a lifeline, consulting Him only when faced with a situation that seemed impossibly beyond his own control? What can this teach us about our own prayers?

1 Sam 28:7 (ESV) Then Saul said to his servants, “Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” And his servants said to him, “Behold, there is a medium at En-dor.” When Saul can’t get an answer from God, where does he turn?

1 Sam 28:7 (ESV) Then Saul said to his servants, “Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” And his servants said to him, “Behold, there is a medium at En-dor.” When Saul can’t get an answer from God, where does he turn? Isn’t that illegal by the law of God and the king?

1 Sam 28:7 (ESV) Then Saul said to his servants, “Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” And his servants said to him, “Behold, there is a medium at En-dor.” When Saul can’t get an answer from God, where does he turn? Isn’t that illegal by the law of God and the king? He knows that, right?

1 Sam 28:7 (ESV) Then Saul said to his servants, “Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” And his servants said to him, “Behold, there is a medium at En-dor.” When Saul can’t get an answer from God, where does he turn? Isn’t that illegal by the law of God and the king? He knows that, right? What does Saul’s willingness to consult a medium teach us about common behavior of people, Christians and non-Christians alike, to engage in behavior they know is wrong?

1 Sam 28:7 (ESV) Then Saul said to his servants, “Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” And his servants said to him, “Behold, there is a medium at En-dor.” What can Christians do to guard against resorting to sinful behavior (e.g. embezzlement, alcoholism, pornography, etc.) during times of crisis?

1 Sam 28:8 (ESV) So Saul disguised himself and put on other garments and went, he and two men with him. And they came to the woman by night. And he said, “Divine for me by a spirit and bring up for me whomever I shall name to you.” How does Saul approach the medium at En-dor? Why does he approach her in this manner?

1 Sam 28:8 (ESV) So Saul disguised himself and put on other garments and went, he and two men with him. And they came to the woman by night. And he said, “Divine for me by a spirit and bring up for me whomever I shall name to you.” How does Saul approach the medium at En-dor? Why does he approach her in this manner? What does Saul tell her to do?

1 Sam 28:8 (ESV) So Saul disguised himself and put on other garments and went, he and two men with him. And they came to the woman by night. And he said, “Divine for me by a spirit and bring up for me whomever I shall name to you.” How does Saul approach the medium at En-dor? Why does he approach her in this manner? What does Saul tell her to do? Why do you think he didn’t tell her who he wanted summoned from the start?

1 Sam 28:9 (ESV) The woman said to him, “Surely you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off the mediums and the necromancers from the land. Why then are you laying a trap for my life to bring about my death?” What is her reaction to Saul’s request?

1 Sam 28:10 (ESV) But Saul swore to her by the Lord, “As the Lord lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this thing.” What is Saul’s response to the medium’s fear?

1 Sam 28:10 (ESV) But Saul swore to her by the Lord, “As the Lord lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this thing.” What is Saul’s response to the medium’s fear? Where have we heard a response similar to this, “you shall not surely die”?

1 Sam 28:11 (ESV) Then the woman said, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” He said, “Bring up Samuel for me.” With that great assurance from Saul, how does business proceed?

1 Sam 28:12 (ESV) When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice. And the woman said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul.” How do you think the medium felt when Samuel appeared? What do you think made her sure that her customer was Saul? Side note: The text doesn’t actually state that Samuel appeared through the power of the medium, only that Samuel appeared.

1 Sam 28:13-14 (ESV) The king said to her, “Do not be afraid. What do you see?” And the woman said to Saul, “I see a god coming up out of the earth.” 14 He said to her, “What is his appearance?” And she said, “An old man is coming up, and he is wrapped in a robe.” And Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground and paid homage. How did the medium describe what she saw? How is Saul sure that she sees Samuel?

1 Sam 28:13-14 (ESV) The king said to her, “Do not be afraid. What do you see?” And the woman said to Saul, “I see a god coming up out of the earth.” 14 He said to her, “What is his appearance?” And she said, “An old man is coming up, and he is wrapped in a robe.” And Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground and paid homage. How did the medium describe what she saw? How is Saul sure that she sees Samuel? Do you think it is really Samuel, or a vengeful trick by the medium who actually recognized Saul as soon as she saw him?

1 Sam 28:15 (ESV) Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Saul answered, “I am in great distress, for the Philistines are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no more, either by prophets or by dreams. Therefore I have summoned you to tell me what I shall do. How does Samuel greet Saul?

1 Sam 28:15 (ESV) Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Saul answered, “I am in great distress, for the Philistines are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no more, either by prophets or by dreams. Therefore I have summoned you to tell me what I shall do. How does Samuel greet Saul? Did Saul have the ability to raise the dead?

1 Sam 28:15 (ESV) Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Saul answered, “I am in great distress, for the Philistines are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no more, either by prophets or by dreams. Therefore I have summoned you to tell me what I shall do. How does Samuel greet Saul? Did Saul have the ability to raise the dead? #2: Do you think it is really Samuel, or a vengeful trick by the medium who actually recognized Saul as soon as she saw him?

1 Sam 28:15 (ESV) Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Saul answered, “I am in great distress, for the Philistines are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no more, either by prophets or by dreams. Therefore I have summoned you to tell me what I shall do. What does Saul want to know from God via a raised Samuel?

1 Sam 28:15 (ESV) Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Saul answered, “I am in great distress, for the Philistines are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no more, either by prophets or by dreams. Therefore I have summoned you to tell me what I shall do. What does Saul want to know from God via a raised Samuel? Why are Samuel and Saul talking directly to each other rather than through the medium?

1 Sam 28:16-19 (ESV) And Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since the Lord has turned from you and become your enemy? 17 The Lord has done to you as he spoke by me, for the Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David. 18 Because you did not obey the voice of the Lord and did not carry out his fierce wrath against Amalek, therefore the Lord has done this thing to you this day. 19 Moreover, the Lord will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me. The Lord will give the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.” Are Samuel’s words consistent with what he delivered while he was alive?

1 Sam 28:16-19 (ESV) And Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since the Lord has turned from you and become your enemy? 17 The Lord has done to you as he spoke by me, for the Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David. 18 Because you did not obey the voice of the Lord and did not carry out his fierce wrath against Amalek, therefore the Lord has done this thing to you this day. 19 Moreover, the Lord will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me. The Lord will give the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.” Does he say anything that everybody in Israel didn’t already know?

1 Sam 28:16-19 (ESV) And Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since the Lord has turned from you and become your enemy? 17 The Lord has done to you as he spoke by me, for the Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David. 18 Because you did not obey the voice of the Lord and did not carry out his fierce wrath against Amalek, therefore the Lord has done this thing to you this day. 19 Moreover, the Lord will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me. The Lord will give the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.” #3: Do you think it is really Samuel, or a vengeful trick by the medium who actually recognized Saul as soon as she saw him?

Saul’s behavior on this occasion illustrates that individuals who know the truth can and sometimes do act contrary to it. Additionally, he depicts the way some attempt to use God during moments of crisis. Although Christians have the wonderful ability to rely on God in prayer, He is not to be addressed only in times of need. Prayer should also be used to express our thanksgivings, to ask for God’s blessings, and to commune with God.

Next quarter starts next Sunday Tragedy and Hope in Jeremiah The life of Jeremiah, known as “the weeping prophet”, is intricately interwoven with the historical events occurring around him and often depicted in living parables and lessons. One quarter will not allow sufficient time to cover the book of Jeremiah, but his focus on two themes – tragedy and hope – makes the study meaningful.

The Call of the Prophet Jer 1:1-19