31st.: Saul, the Familiar Spirit, and God’s Mercy
After receiving promises from Saul that he would not prosecute her,
the woman conducted a séance for him.
She then asked King Saul whom he wanted to see (1st Sam. 28:8-11).
Saul answered, 'The Prophet Samuel'. Samuel (1st Sam. 28:3a).
Saul could always talk to Samuel in the past.
We are told, “When the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice.” (1st Sam. 28:12a).
This author has no personal experience with séances.
Nevertheless, the seance's conductors outburst is interesting.
According to some websites, having a participant cry out in a séance is not unusual.
However, here, the conductor cried out.
Something occured out of the ordinary.
The conductor was familiar with spirits coming up, masquerading as someone else.
But when the soul of an actual, deceased, prophet of God came up (see 1st. Sam 28:14b),
he came up with a different spirit that unnerved her.
Considering that God previously banned those with familiar spirits (Deut. 18:9-12),
it is concluded that God showed a one-time act of mercy to Saul, by allowing Samuel’s soul to rise.
God might show us mercy in such extreme situations, during a rebellious season.
But it is less stressful to have a good rapport with the Lord that we may find out what He wants through the direct approach of prayer.
“I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offense, and seek my face.” (Hos. 5:15a)