04.19.2016 Old Testament: 1Sa 28.8–12

To read the Bible in a year, read First Samuel 27–29 on April 19, In the year of our Lord 2016

By Don Ruhl

King Saul rightly banned mediums and spiritists from the land of Israel, but when he turned away from the Lord, and the Lord would not answer Saul’s inquiries, the king decided to see a medium,

So Saul disguised himself and put on other clothes, and he went, and two men with him; and they came to the woman by night. And he said, “Please conduct a seance for me, and bring up for me the one I shall name to you.” Then the woman said to him, “Look, you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off the mediums and the spiritists from the land. Why then do you lay a snare for my life, to cause me to die?” And Saul swore to her by the LORD, saying, “As the LORD lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this thing.” Then the woman said, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” And he said, “Bring up Samuel for me.” When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice. And the woman spoke to Saul, saying, “Why have you deceived me? For you are Saul!” (1 Samuel 28.8–12).

Something told this woman that the man visiting her was King Saul, although he sought to disguise himself. He could not hide who he was, nor can we. Just like Peter at the trial of Jesus, people thought they knew that Peter had been a follower of Jesus of Nazareth.

Questions:

• Have you tried to disguise yourself?
• Did it work?
• If you think that it did work, how do you know?