by dreams or Urim or prophets.


Saul prayed, but his sins became a barrier that kept God from answering. If you look closely at this verse, you will see a regression of faith on Saul’s behalf.

First of all, Saul tried to talk to God one-on-one through prayer. This is an acceptable practice, but God did not answer Saul because his heart was not right with the Lord.

Secondly, after he could not hear God, he lowered his standards a little and sought some form of dream revelation.

This dream revelation may have been similar to a drug-induced trance, in which the dreamer sought to see the future. This practice would not have been good. Drugs cloud our minds from hearing God’s voice.


Thirdly, Saul consulted the Urim.
The Urim was a stone that was sometimes used along with another stone called the Thummin. They were basically fortune telling stones. They may have been flat disks with ’yes’ and ’no’ sides. When both agreed the answer was clear. When they disagreed, further guidance was sought. The Urim and Thummin were to Saul like tarot cards or ouiga boards are to people today.
If Saul had only sought forgiveness of his sins, God would have spoken to him. He failed to humble himself before the Lord and fell further into sin.

Saul’s uneasiness progresses from fear to terror to sheer panic. Saul feels that he has no other option except to try some unconventional ways to get God’s attention.

1 Samuel 28:7
Saul then said to his attendants, "Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her." "There is one in Endor," they said.


A medium is a fortuneteller with demonic power that enables him to mimic a personality or a create a familiar situation. It appears that they have insight or powers. The Bible often refers to medium as "familiar spirits."


Over the years the media has worked hard to make witchcraft a normal part of life. Consider the shows: I Dream of Jeanie, Bewitched, Sabrina, and Charmed. Do you know the name of Sabrina’s grandmother? Endora. Could it be that even Hollywood reads the Bible at times?


Saul knew the scriptures taught against this behavior. He knew the words of Deuteronomy 8:10-12.

Deuteronomy 18:10-12
10 Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft,

11 or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead.

12 Anyone who does these things is detestable to the LORD, and because of these detestable practices the LORD your God will drive out those nations before you.


Saul knew that it was wrong, but chose to do it any way.

1 Samuel 28:8;11
8 So Saul disguised himself, putting on other clothes, and at night he and two men went to the woman. "Consult a spirit for me," he said, "and bring up for me the one I name."

11 Then the woman asked, "Whom shall I bring up for you?" "Bring up Samuel," he said.


When the woman sees Samuel, she shrieks. She not only recognizes Samuel, she now recognizes that the one asking her to conjure up Samuel is none other than Saul himself.

Needless to say, Samuel is not happy to be there.

1 Samuel 28:15
Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?" "I am in great distress," Saul said. "The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has turned