I Samuel 28:24-30:24

This is an exciting challenge! I'm ready to re-enchant you with this powerful portion of I Samuel. Let's dive in.

Hook

The stale take? That the story of Saul and the Witch of Endor is just a spooky tale about forbidden magic and a king’s desperate, dark deeds. It’s easy to dismiss it as an ancient superstition, a cautionary fable best left in the dusty archives of religious texts. We might think, "Okay, Saul messed up, he went to a medium, he heard bad news. Got it. Next!" And then we move on, feeling a little relieved that our lives are so much more… rational. But what if we’ve been missing the real magic, the profound human drama, the echoes of our own struggles for agency and meaning that lie beneath the surface of this ancient narrative? What if this isn’t just about Saul’s downfall, but about the enduring human quest to understand ourselves and our place in a world that often feels beyond our control? Let’s peel back the layers and rediscover the potent, relatable wisdom waiting for us.

Context

The narrative of Saul consulting the Witch of Endor, along with David’s subsequent trials, is often encountered with a few ingrained assumptions that can make it feel distant or even judgmental. Let’s demystify some of these "rule-heavy" misconceptions:

Misconception 1: The Witch of Endor is a clear-cut villain, and Saul’s visit is purely about dabbling in evil.

• The Rule: Biblical narratives often present clear moral binaries – good versus evil, righteous versus wicked. Engaging with forbidden practices is depicted as inherently sinful and leading to ruin.
• Demystification: While Saul’s act is presented as a transgression and the woman is described as a "woman who consults ghosts," the text is far more nuanced. Saul is depicted as being in a state of profound desperation. God has already withdrawn from him, refusing to answer him through any legitimate means. He’s not seeking forbidden knowledge out of curiosity or malice, but as a last resort because all other avenues have been shut off. The woman herself is terrified, aware of Saul’s decree against her practice, highlighting the social and political pressures of the time. This isn't a simple case of a king choosing evil; it's a complex situation where established spiritual channels are blocked, and a desperate leader turns to a desperate measure.

Misconception 2: The entire encounter with Samuel is a supernatural event meant to confirm divine judgment in a straightforward way.

• The Rule: Religious texts are often read as direct transmissions of divine will, with every supernatural event serving as a clear sign or punishment.
• Demystification: The text itself grapples with the nature of this apparition. The woman recognizes Samuel, but Saul has to ask what she sees. Samuel’s words, while dire, are also framed as a confirmation of what was already foretold through Samuel himself. The commentary from Sages (like Radak) discusses the ambiguity of what truly happened: Was it a genuine apparition, a trick by the woman, or a divine message conveyed through a complex, perhaps even illusory, means? The text doesn't offer a simple "God did this" pronouncement in the moment of the summoning. Instead, it presents Saul’s perception of Samuel, and Samuel’s words about Saul's past actions and future fate. This ambiguity invites us to consider how we interpret spiritual experiences and divine communication, especially in moments of crisis.

Misconception 3: David’s story is a simple heroic tale of rescuing his family and getting rewarded.

• The Rule: Heroes in scripture are typically presented as consistently righteous, their actions always leading to clear victories and just outcomes.
• Demystification: David’s situation is incredibly precarious. He’s been living among the Philistines, ostensibly a loyal servant, while his own people (and Saul) would see him as a traitor. When the Philistine commanders reject him, he's sent back to his home base, Ziklag, only to find it raided and his family taken captive. The troops, who have suffered the loss, are ready to stone him. This is a moment of extreme vulnerability, not just for his family, but for his leadership and his very life. His response, "But David sought strength in the Eternal his God," is not a passive gesture. It's an active choice to turn to his faith precisely when human systems and his own strength have failed him. The subsequent actions—the pursuit, the rescue, and crucially, his decision about dividing the spoil—reveal a complex leader navigating immense pressure and internal conflict.

Text Snapshot

"Now Samuel had died and all Israel made lament for him; and he was buried in his own town of Ramah. And Saul had forbidden [recourse to] ghosts and familiar spirits in the land. The Philistines mustered and they marched to Shunem and encamped; and Saul gathered all Israel, and they encamped at Gilboa. When Saul saw the Philistine force, his heart trembled with fear. And Saul inquired of God, but God did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by prophets."

"Then Saul said to his courtiers, 'Find me a woman who consults ghosts, so that I can go to her and inquire through her.' And his courtiers told him that there was a woman in En-dor who consulted ghosts. Saul disguised himself; he put on different clothes and set out with two men. They came to the woman by night, and he said, 'Please divine for me by a ghost. Bring up for me the one I shall name to you.'"

"But the woman answered him, 'You know what Saul has done, how he has banned [the use of] ghosts and familiar spirits in the land. So why are you laying a trap for me, to get me killed?' Saul swore to her by God: 'As God lives, you won’t get into trouble over this.' At that, the woman asked, 'Whom shall I bring up for you?' He answered, 'Bring up Samuel for me.'"

"Samuel said to Saul, 'Why have you disturbed me and brought me up?' And Saul answered, 'I am greatly troubled. The Philistines are attacking me and God has turned away from me—and no longer answers me, either by prophets or in dreams. So I have called you to tell me what I am to do.'"

"Samuel said, 'Why do you ask me, seeing that God has turned away from you and has become your adversary? God has done what was foretold through me: God has torn the kingship out of your hands and has given it to your fellow, to David, because you did not obey God and did not execute [God’s] wrath upon the Amalekites. That is why God has done this to you today. Further, God will deliver the Israelites who are with you into the hands of the Philistines. Tomorrow you and your sons will be with me; and God will also deliver the Israelite forces into the hands of the Philistines.'"

"The Philistine lords asked, 'Who are those Hebrews?' 'Why, that’s David, the servant of King Saul of Israel,' Achish answered the Philistine officers. 'He has been with me for a year or more... But you are not acceptable to the other lords. So go back in peace, and do nothing to displease the Philistine lords.' David, however, said to Achish, 'But what have I done... that I should not go and fight against the enemies of my lord the king?'"

"By the time David and his men arrived in Ziklag, on the third day, the Amalekites had made a raid into the Negeb and against Ziklag; they had stormed Ziklag and burned it down. They had taken the women in it captive... David and the troops with him broke into tears, until they had no strength left for weeping. David was in great danger, for the troops threatened to stone him... But David sought strength in the Eternal his God."

"David said to the priest Abiathar son of Ahimelech, 'Bring the ephod up to me.' When Abiathar brought up the ephod to David, David inquired of God, 'Shall I pursue those raiders? Will I overtake them?' The reply came, 'Pursue, for you shall overtake and you shall rescue.'"

"But all the mean and churlish ones among the men who had accompanied David spoke up, 'Since they did not accompany us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we seized—except that each may take his wife and children and go.' David, however, spoke up, 'You must not do that, my brothers, in view of what God has granted us... The share of those who remain with the baggage shall be the same as the share of those who go down to battle; they shall share alike.' So from that day on it was made a fixed rule for Israel, continuing to the present day."

New Angle

This passage, I Samuel 28:24-30:24, is a masterclass in the messy, complex realities of leadership, faith, and human resilience. It’s not just a story about prophets and kings; it’s a profound exploration of what happens when the divine feels distant, when our carefully constructed plans crumble, and when we are forced to confront our deepest fears and our most challenging ethical dilemmas. Let’s re-enchant this text by looking at it through the lens of adult experience, specifically focusing on two core insights: the burden of unintended consequences and the art of finding agency in the face of overwhelming odds.

Insight 1: Navigating the Labyrinth of Unintended Consequences

We’ve all been there. You make a decision, perhaps with the best intentions, or perhaps out of a moment of strategic necessity. You think you’ve covered your bases, you’ve considered the immediate outcomes. But then, the ripple effect starts. The "unintended consequences" are the specters that haunt our adult lives, whether in our careers, our families, or our personal growth. This passage vividly illustrates this labyrinth.

Saul’s Consequences: The Weight of Past Decisions

Saul’s desperate act of consulting the Witch of Endor is the ultimate illustration of unintended consequences, or rather, the harvesting of consequences from prior decisions. He had forbidden recourse to mediums. This wasn't a casual decree; it was a law he enforced, a directive that carried the weight of his authority. Now, in his moment of ultimate need, when God is silent, he himself must break his own law, and in doing so, he exposes his own hypocrisy and desperation. The woman’s terrified reaction, "You know what Saul has done... So why are you laying a trap for me?" is the echo of Saul's own past actions. He created the very prohibition that now forces him into a clandestine, dangerous act.

This resonates deeply with adult life. Think about leadership in the workplace. A manager might implement a strict policy to increase efficiency. Years later, when a crisis demands flexibility and quick adaptation, that same rigid policy becomes an obstacle, hindering the very agility needed. The manager might then find themselves having to bend or break their own rules, revealing the limitations of their original foresight. Or consider parenting: a parent might instill a strong sense of independence in a child, wanting them to be self-sufficient. Later, when the teenager is facing a complex emotional challenge, the parent might realize that this independence has also made it difficult for the child to ask for help. The parent, in their desire to foster strength, has inadvertently created a barrier to vulnerability.

The encounter with Samuel isn't just a prophecy; it's a mirror reflecting Saul's own choices. Samuel’s words, "because you did not obey God and did not execute [God’s] wrath upon the Amalekites," are the ultimate unintended consequence laid bare. Saul’s failure to act decisively in the past has directly contributed to his present paralysis and impending doom. He cannot escape the repercussions of his own inaction or his misplaced actions.

David’s Consequences: The Paradox of Loyalty and Betrayal

David’s situation is a masterclass in the complex, sometimes contradictory, unintended consequences of navigating loyalty and perceived betrayal. He has been serving King Saul’s enemies, the Philistines, for over a year. This was a survival strategy, a way to stay alive while Saul hunted him. But the moment the Philistine commanders question his presence, he’s cast out. Achish, who had found him trustworthy, is forced to send him away because the other lords fear David might turn on them.

This is the paradox: David’s loyalty to Achish (or at least, his performance as a seemingly loyal subordinate) was meant to protect him. But it also placed him in a position where he was expected to fight against his own people. The Philistine commanders’ rejection is an unintended consequence of his very effectiveness and the lingering reputation he had as Saul’s adversary. They sing, "Saul has slain his thousands; David, his tens of thousands." This song, meant to celebrate David's prowess, now becomes the very reason he cannot be trusted in battle against Israel.

In our adult lives, this plays out in countless ways. We might invest heavily in a project at work, building strong relationships with a particular team. Then, due to company restructuring, that team is disbanded, and our alliances shift. We might find ourselves in a position where we have to distance ourselves from people we’ve supported, or even work against them, because of organizational demands. Or in personal relationships, a commitment to supporting a friend might inadvertently lead to a rift with another friend who feels excluded or misunderstood. We learn that our actions, even those rooted in good intentions like loyalty or support, can create unforeseen complications and even animosity. David's forced retreat to Ziklag, only to find it raided and his family taken, is a brutal twist of fate that directly stems from his complex positioning. His attempt to play it safe and remain loyal to Achish has resulted in the ultimate personal disaster.

Insight 2: The Art of Finding Agency When the Ground Shifts

When everything we rely on is shaken – our authority, our security, our divine connection – where do we find the strength to move forward? This passage offers a profound look at how individuals, even in seemingly hopeless situations, can discover and assert their agency. It’s not about having all the answers or a guaranteed victory, but about the act of seeking, deciding, and acting with intention, even when the path is unclear.

Saul's Diminishing Agency: The Illusion of Control

Saul’s agency is almost entirely eroded by the end of this narrative. His initial decision to consult the witch is an attempt to regain control, to find a directive that will salvage his situation. However, the "message" he receives is not one of hope or a plan of action, but a confirmation of his own downfall. Samuel's pronouncements are final, absolute, and delivered with an air of inevitability: "God has torn the kingship out of your hands and has given it to your fellow, to David... Tomorrow you and your sons will be with me."

Saul’s response is one of terror and collapse. He "flung himself prone on the ground, terrified... Besides, there was no strength in him." He has become a passive recipient of his fate. Even the act of eating, a basic necessity for survival and strength, is initially refused. His agency is reduced to the passive acceptance of his impending end. This is a stark portrayal of what happens when we feel utterly powerless, when the external forces (divine silence, military defeat, internal betrayal) completely overwhelm our sense of self-efficacy.

This resonates with adult experiences of burnout, profound loss, or systemic oppression. When individuals feel trapped by circumstances beyond their control – a chronic illness, an unresolvable family conflict, a stifling work environment – their sense of agency can diminish. They might find themselves going through the motions, feeling disconnected from their own desires and choices, waiting for something to happen to them rather than actively shaping their path. Saul’s story is a cautionary tale about the devastating impact of feeling stripped of agency, where past choices and present circumstances conspire to create a sense of ultimate powerlessness.

David's Reclaimed Agency: Turning Despair into Action

In stark contrast to Saul, David embodies the active reclamation of agency, even in the face of unimaginable devastation. When he returns to Ziklag to find it burned and his family taken, the despair is palpable: "David and the troops with him broke into tears, until they had no strength left for weeping. David was in great danger, for the troops threatened to stone him." This is a moment where Saul’s despair might have fully consumed him.

But then comes the pivotal phrase: "But David sought strength in the Eternal his God." This isn't a passive prayer; it’s an active turning towards a source of power and guidance when all human sources have failed. He doesn’t wait for divine intervention to descend; he actively seeks it. He calls for the ephod, the priestly garment used for divine consultation. He asks specific questions: "Shall I pursue those raiders? Will I overtake them?" The answer, "Pursue, for you shall overtake and you shall rescue," isn't just a promise; it's a mandate for action.

David’s agency is further demonstrated in his leadership post-rescue. When the "mean and churlish ones" want to hoard the spoil, denying it to those who were too faint to fight, David doesn't resort to force or coercion. Instead, he articulates a principle: "The share of those who remain with the baggage shall be the same as the share of those who go down to battle; they shall share alike." This decision is not merely pragmatic; it's an assertion of his moral authority and a foundational act of establishing justice and unity within his nascent community. He chooses to create a rule that reflects divine favor and communal solidarity, rather than succumbing to divisiveness.

This active pursuit of strength and establishment of principles is deeply relevant to adult life. It's about recognizing that even when circumstances are dire – facing a job loss, navigating a health crisis, dealing with personal betrayal – we have agency in how we respond. We can choose to seek support, to learn from the experience, to articulate our values, and to make decisions that reflect our deeper principles, even when it's difficult. David’s journey shows that true agency isn't about avoiding hardship, but about actively engaging with it, seeking wisdom, and choosing to build something just and resilient from the ruins. He doesn't just survive; he leads through the crisis, setting a precedent for his future kingdom.

Low-Lift Ritual

The encounter with the Witch of Endor and David’s subsequent trials can feel overwhelming, laden with divine judgment and personal catastrophe. Yet, within this dramatic narrative lies a powerful, accessible practice that can help us navigate our own moments of uncertainty and fear. The key lies in understanding how both Saul and David, in their vastly different ways, interact with the "divine" when they feel abandoned.

Saul, in his desperation, seeks an external, albeit forbidden, source of information. He wants someone to tell him what to do, to provide a clear answer from beyond his immediate reality. David, though also facing a crisis, actively seeks strength in the Eternal his God. He doesn't wait for a pronouncement to fall from the sky; he calls for the ephod, he asks specific questions, and he receives direction that leads to action.

The low-lift ritual I propose is inspired by David’s active engagement with his faith, but simplified for modern, everyday life. It’s about cultivating a "Two-Minute Divine Check-In."

The Practice:

This week, at least once a day, find two minutes to deliberately pause and engage with your inner sense of guidance or your connection to something larger than yourself. It doesn't require prayer, scripture reading, or any specific religious affiliation. It’s about creating a moment of intentional receptivity.

How to Do It:

1. Set a Timer: Use your phone or a simple kitchen timer for two minutes.
2. Find a Quiet Space: This could be sitting at your desk, standing by a window, or even just closing your eyes in your car before you start your engine. The goal is to minimize external distractions.
3. Breathe and Release: Take 2-3 slow, deep breaths. As you exhale, consciously let go of any immediate stress or tension you're holding. Imagine it leaving your body with the breath.
4. Ask a Simple Question (or Just Listen): You can formulate a simple, open-ended question like:
   • "What is the most important thing for me to focus on right now?"
   • "What energy do I need to bring to this next task/conversation?"
   • "What small step can I take towards my well-being today?"
   • Or, you can simply sit in silence and notice any thoughts, feelings, or intuitions that arise. Don't judge them, just observe.
5. Acknowledge and Move On: When the timer goes off, take one more deep breath, acknowledge whatever arose (or didn't arise), and gently transition back to your day.

Why This Matters:

• Reclaiming Agency: Like David, this ritual is about actively seeking guidance, rather than passively waiting for answers or succumbing to despair like Saul. It's a small act of taking the reins, even if the "answers" are subtle or simply a feeling of calm.
• Shifting Perspective: In a fast-paced world, we often operate on autopilot, reacting to external demands. This ritual creates a pause, allowing you to shift from a reactive mode to a more intentional, reflective one. It’s a moment to connect with your inner compass.
• Cultivating Resilience: By practicing this regularly, you build a habit of turning inward for strength. This can make you more resilient when facing larger challenges, as you’ve already established a pathway to finding inner resources. It's like practicing for a marathon; you wouldn't wait until race day to start running.
• Demystifying the "Divine": This practice is accessible to everyone, regardless of their beliefs. It’s about tapping into a sense of intuition, wisdom, or a larger perspective that exists within and around us. It’s about recognizing that guidance isn't always a booming voice from the heavens, but can be a quiet whisper in your own consciousness.

This ritual, taking only two minutes, is a powerful antidote to the feeling of powerlessness that can grip us, mirroring Saul's plight, and a practical way to embody David's proactive spirit. It's a simple, consistent act of self-attunement that can have profound ripple effects throughout your week.

Chevruta Mini

The ancient practice of Chevruta (a partnership for studying texts) encourages deep engagement through questioning and dialogue. Let’s engage with this text in a similar spirit.

Question 1:

Saul is desperate because God isn't answering him through "dreams or by Urim or by prophets." What does this lack of direct divine communication reveal about the nature of faith, and how might we relate that to times in our own lives when we feel unheard or disconnected from a source of guidance?

Question 2:

David, after the devastating raid on Ziklag, doesn't immediately rally his troops for revenge. Instead, he "sought strength in the Eternal his God" and then consulted the ephod. How does this sequence of actions – turning inward for strength before seeking external direction – offer a different model for leadership and problem-solving than simply reacting to immediate threats or demands?

Takeaway

The stories of Saul and David in this passage aren't just ancient history; they are vibrant reflections of the human condition. We've seen how the weight of our past actions can manifest as unintended consequences, how our attempts to control situations can backfire, and how even in moments of utter despair, we can find a spark of agency.

Saul's encounter with the Witch of Endor is a stark reminder that avoiding our responsibilities, or making choices that contradict our values, can lead to a profound sense of powerlessness when we most need strength. His story whispers a caution against trying to find answers outside of ourselves when we’ve already closed the doors to legitimate guidance.

David, on the other hand, shows us that true strength isn't about avoiding hardship, but about actively turning towards our inner resources and seeking guidance with intention, even when the ground beneath us has crumbled. His decisive action, both in seeking God and in establishing a just rule for his men, demonstrates that agency is not a given, but a practice. It's cultivated through deliberate steps, through asking questions, and through choosing principles even when faced with division.

This text doesn't offer easy answers, but it offers profound wisdom. It reminds us that we are not merely passive recipients of fate, but active participants in our lives. Even when the divine feels silent, and our plans go awry, we have the capacity to seek strength, to ask the right questions, and to act with integrity, thereby shaping our own narratives and building resilient communities. You weren't wrong to find this story complex or unsettling—it is. But now, perhaps, you can see the richer, more empowering truths that lie within it. Let’s try again, and discover the enduring magic of human resilience and the persistent call to find our own agency.