In 1 Samuel 28 What Does Sauls Decision To Consult A Medium Reveal About His Faith And Relationship With God?
Saul’s Consultation with the Medium at Endor: A Window into Faith, Fear, and Disobedience
The account of Saul consulting the medium at Endor in 1 Samuel 28 is one of the most dramatic and sobering moments in the Old Testament. It reveals much about Saul’s spiritual state, his faith, and his relationship with God at a critical point in Israel’s history.
Background: Saul’s Spiritual Decline
Earlier in his reign, Saul showed signs of humility and dependence on God (1 Samuel 10:9). However, as time passed, Saul’s repeated disobedience led to God’s rejection of his kingship (1 Samuel 15:23). By the time of chapter 28, Saul is isolated, desperate, and spiritually estranged from God.
Saul’s Desperation and Disobedience
With the Philistine army threatening Israel, Saul is overwhelmed by fear:
And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. - 1 Samuel 28:5 ASV
Saul seeks guidance from the Lord, but receives no answer:
And when Saul inquired of Jehovah, Jehovah answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets. - 1 Samuel 28:6 ASV
In his desperation, Saul turns to a medium—an act expressly forbidden in God’s law (Leviticus 19:31; Deuteronomy 18:10–12). Ironically, Saul himself had previously expelled mediums from the land (1 Samuel 28:3).
What Saul’s Decision Reveals About His Faith
- Loss of Trust in God: Saul’s actions demonstrate a lack of trust in God’s sovereignty and timing. Rather than wait on the Lord or repent, he seeks answers through forbidden means. This reveals a faith that is circumstantial, not steadfast.
- Disregard for God’s Word: By consulting a medium, Saul flagrantly disobeys God’s command. This shows that Saul’s relationship with God had become transactional—seeking God only for personal benefit, not out of true devotion.
- Desperation and Fear: Saul is motivated by fear, not faith. His panic leads him to compromise his integrity and violate God’s law.
- Spiritual Isolation: Saul’s inability to hear from God is the tragic result of his earlier disobedience. Persistent rebellion had hardened his heart and closed the channels of divine communication (Psalm 66:18).
Contrast with True Faith
True faith, as seen in the lives of other biblical figures, involves trust in God’s character and Word—even in silence or uncertainty. Consider David’s example, who, in distress, strengthened himself in the Lord (1 Samuel 30:6), or Job, who declared:
Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him... - Job 13:15 ASV
The New Testament affirms that faith means trusting God’s Word and relying on Christ, not seeking forbidden or occult means for guidance:
For we walk by faith, not by sight. - 2 Corinthians 5:7 ASV
But without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing unto him... - Hebrews 11:6 ASV
Lessons for Today
- God desires obedience more than sacrifice or religious activity (1 Samuel 15:22).
- When God seems silent, we are called to trust and wait, not turn to sinful shortcuts.
- Persistent unrepentant sin can damage our fellowship with God, but repentance and faith in Christ restore us (1 John 1:9).
- Salvation and guidance come through Christ alone, not through occult or forbidden practices (John 14:6).
Conclusion
Saul’s decision to consult a medium reveals a faith that had become weak, fearful, and disconnected from God due to persistent disobedience. It serves as a warning and a call to pursue genuine, obedient, and Christ-centered faith, trusting God even when answers seem far away.