Faith Baptist Church
06/07/26 Worship Service

      • John 13:34-35ESV

  • How Deep The Father's Love For Us
  • Servant's Heart
  • O Love that Will Not Let Me Go
  • Blest Be The Tie That Binds
  • The Unpaid Debt
    Illustrate with a credit card that keeps accumulating interest. Each month you ignore it, the debt grows larger until it becomes overwhelming. God gave Saul years to repent after the Amalek incident, but the spiritual debt kept mounting. God's patience is real, but it's not infinite.
    No one is holy like the Lord-
    He is in a category all His own. He is set apart. There is none like the Lord!
    This is what Hannah acknowledged in her prayer in chapter 2-
    1 Samuel 2:2 ESV
    2 “There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.
    1 Samuel 2:7 ESV
    7 The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts.
    How does God exalt the humble and bring low the proud?

    1. God can use seasons of dejection to exalt the humble (27)

    Summarize
    How does God exalt the humble and bring low the proud?

    2. God can use repeated rebellion to bring low the proud (28)

    Now we turn our attention back to King Saul. The events that happen in chapter 28 transpire in the final 24 hours of Saul’s life.
    1 Samuel 28:1–2 ESV
    1 In those days the Philistines gathered their forces for war, to fight against Israel. And Achish said to David, “Understand that you and your men are to go out with me in the army.” 2 David said to Achish, “Very well, you shall know what your servant can do.” And Achish said to David, “Very well, I will make you my bodyguard for life.”
    More than one year latter and the Philistines are going to war with Israel. And Achish summons David to battle and assigns him as his bodyguard. More on that later-
    Then we turn to Saul in v. 3
    1 Samuel 28:3–7 ESV
    3 Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had put the mediums and the necromancers out of the land.
    Samuel is dead. Saul at an earlier time had obeyed God by removing the mediums and spiritists from Israel (c.f., Lev. 19:31; 20:6; 20:27).
    Leviticus 19:31 ESV
    31 “Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the Lord your God.
    Leviticus 20:6 ESV
    6 “If a person turns to mediums and necromancers, whoring after them, I will set my face against that person and will cut him off from among his people.
    Leviticus 20:27 ESV
    27 “A man or a woman who is a medium or a necromancer shall surely be put to death. They shall be stoned with stones; their blood shall be upon them.”
    1 Samuel 28:3–7 ESV
    4 The Philistines assembled and came and encamped at Shunem. And Saul gathered all Israel, and they encamped at Gilboa.
    1 Samuel 28:3–7 ESV
    5 When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly.
    “trembled greatly” also used of Israel at Sinai (Ex. 19:16).
    Exodus 19:16 “16 On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled.”
    1 Samuel 28:3–7 ESV
    6 And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets. 7 Then Saul said to his servants, “Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” And his servants said to him, “Behold, there is a medium at En-dor.”
    Was Saul’s “inquiry” of God repentance?
    In 1 Samuel 14:37-38, Saul also asked of God when prompted by priests.
    1 Samuel 14:37 ESV
    37 And Saul inquired of God, “Shall I go down after the Philistines? Will you give them into the hand of Israel?” But he did not answer him that day.
    Saul’s rash oath for the men not to eat food during the battle or else they would be cursed. And do you remember what Jonathan did? He ate some honey! This is why the Lord would not answer Saul. Note Saul’s next repose.
    1 Samuel 14:38 ESV
    38 And Saul said, “Come here, all you leaders of the people, and know and see how this sin has arisen today.
    When God did not answer, he immediately assumed someone’s sin was responsible for God keeping silent.
    How is Saul’s response different in chapter 28?
    1 Samuel 28:6 ESV
    6 And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets.
    Instead of seeking out the sin in his own life, what did Saul do this time?
    1 Samuel 28:7 ESV
    7 Then Saul said to his servants, “Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” And his servants said to him, “Behold, there is a medium at En-dor.”
    Saul turned to a sin that he at an earlier time sought to destroy. By doing so, he caused those with him to sin by asking them to seek out a medium.
    1 Samuel 28:8–10 ESV
    8 So Saul disguised himself and put on other garments and went, he and two men with him. And they came to the woman by night. And he said, “Divine for me by a spirit and bring up for me whomever I shall name to you.” 9 The woman said to him, “Surely you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off the mediums and the necromancers from the land. Why then are you laying a trap for my life to bring about my death?” 10 But Saul swore to her by the Lord, “As the Lord lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this thing.”
    Saul knew what he was doing. He is not being deceived by anyone here. He is willingly sinning against God’s clear law on this subject.
    1 Samuel 28:10 ESV
    10 But Saul swore to her by the Lord, “As the Lord lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this thing.”
    Whose name does Saul swear by?
    YEHWEH! Saul uses the name of the Lord whom he is rebelling against, to secure the trust of the medium who is also rebelling against the Lord!
    1 Samuel 28:11–14 ESV
    11 Then the woman said, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” He said, “Bring up Samuel for me.” 12 When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice. And the woman said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul.” 13 The king said to her, “Do not be afraid. What do you see?” And the woman said to Saul, “I see a god coming up out of the earth.” 14 He said to her, “What is his appearance?” And she said, “An old man is coming up, and he is wrapped in a robe.” And Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground and paid homage.

    What did she see?

    Samuel
    The passage consistently uses the name ‘Samuel’ to refer to the judge of Israel. The narrator assumes in the following conversation that Samuel is the speaker. No textual indicators exist to point toward a non-Samuel interpretation.
    The woman was scared because this was different than anything she had previously experienced.

    Did she summon the spirit of Samuel?

    Emphatically, no
    Her reaction was markedly startled. She recognized that this was not her work.
    It would not fit with the rest of scripture that a rebellious person could temporarily snatch a believer from the presence of God.
    Also, Old Testament believers appearing on earth after their death is not unique to Samuel. Where else in the Scriptures do we see this phenomenon?
    Who was with Jesus when he was transfigured? Moses and Elijah.
    God is the one who orchestrated this appearance of Samuel.
    1 Samuel 28:15 ESV
    15 Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Saul answered, “I am in great distress, for the Philistines are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no more, either by prophets or by dreams. Therefore I have summoned you to tell me what I shall do.”
    Notice God had turned away from Saul!
    1 Samuel 28:3 “3 Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had put the mediums and the necromancers out of the land.”
    Same Hebrew term! Just as Saul turned away or put out the mediums from the land at one time in his reign, so now God has turned away from Saul because of his repeated rebellion.
    God is doing to Saul what Saul did to the mediums. In a sense, Saul has come full circle from the one fighting sin to the one who is being fought because of his sin.
    1 Samuel 15:23 ESV
    23 For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king.”
    Divination is the same term used for mediums here in 1 Sam 28.
    Sin leads the sinner to do what was once unthinkable!
    "Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay."
    “Be killing sin or sin will be killing you.” —John Owen
    1 Samuel 28:15 ESV
    15 Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Saul answered, “I am in great distress, for the Philistines are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no more, either by prophets or by dreams. Therefore I have summoned you to tell me what I shall do.”
    What’s the problem with Saul’s question? He already knows what to do! He needs to repent! He needs to turn away from his sin! But that is not the answer he wants to hear.
    1 Samuel 28:16 ESV
    16 And Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since the Lord has turned from you and become your enemy?
    Saul and the Lord truly are enemies at this point. Saul is conspiring with mediums. He is attempting to use witchcraft to avoid the judgement of God!
    1 Samuel 28:17 ESV
    17 The Lord has done to you as he spoke by me, for the Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David.
    Why did God refuse to answer Saul? Because of Saul’s sin and because of God’s earlier promise.
    1 Samuel 28:18 ESV
    18 Because you did not obey the voice of the Lord and did not carry out his fierce wrath against Amalek, therefore the Lord has done this thing to you this day.
    And Saul has been in a constant state of rebellion ever since. God mercifully gave Saul years to repent. But now God’s patience has run out.
    1 Samuel 28:19 ESV
    19 Moreover, the Lord will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me. The Lord will give the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.”

    What does it mean that Saul and his sons would be “with” Samuel?

    Option 1: they are in heaven with Samuel because that is ultimately where Samuel is.
    Option 2: they will be dead… with Samuel in the sense of being in the grave with him.
    The Hebrew word “with” can carry the idea of being “like” or “similar”. If Saul will be “like” Samuel, what does the text say about Samuel’s condition? Verse 3, Samuel is dead.
    Was Saul a believer? At the very least, his actions and attitude cast a shadow of a doubt.
    What do your actions and attitudes say about your spiritual position?
    Works do not save you!
    Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV
    8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
    Matthew 7:22–23 ESV
    22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
    What happens to Saul after he hears these words?
    1 Samuel 28:20 ESV
    20 Then Saul fell at once full length on the ground, filled with fear because of the words of Samuel. And there was no strength in him, for he had eaten nothing all day and all night.
    1 Samuel 28:21–25 ESV
    21 And the woman came to Saul, and when she saw that he was terrified, she said to him, “Behold, your servant has obeyed you. I have taken my life in my hand and have listened to what you have said to me. 22 Now therefore, you also obey your servant. Let me set a morsel of bread before you; and eat, that you may have strength when you go on your way.” 23 He refused and said, “I will not eat.” But his servants, together with the woman, urged him, and he listened to their words. So he arose from the earth and sat on the bed. 24 Now the woman had a fattened calf in the house, and she quickly killed it, and she took flour and kneaded it and baked unleavened bread of it, 25 and she put it before Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they rose and went away that night.
    Instead of being a comfort, Saul is left paralyzed by fear.
    Compare Saul to his former state of glory.
    At one time, he stood head and shoulders above the rest of the men of Israel. He was tall, strong, and hesitant to accept authority.
    Now, because he refused to repent of his rebellion, he has lost his kingdom. He has heard his death sentence.
    His lineage would be devastated.
    His kingdom would suffer greatly because of his judgment.
    He is now dependent on sustenance provided by a wicked woman whose only motivation is self-preservation.
    Friends, how should this affect our attitude toward sin?
    What did sin do to Saul’s life in this text?

    Sin causes fear!

    1 Samuel 28:5 “5 When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly.”
    1 Samuel 28:12–13 “12 When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice. And the woman said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul.” 13 The king said to her, “Do not be afraid. What do you see?” And the woman said to Saul, “I see a god coming up out of the earth.””
    1 Samuel 28:15 “15 Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Saul answered, “I am in great distress, for the Philistines are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no more, either by prophets or by dreams. Therefore I have summoned you to tell me what I shall do.””
    1 Samuel 28:20–21 “20 Then Saul fell at once full length on the ground, filled with fear because of the words of Samuel. And there was no strength in him, for he had eaten nothing all day and all night. 21 And the woman came to Saul, and when she saw that he was terrified, she said to him, “Behold, your servant has obeyed you. I have taken my life in my hand and have listened to what you have said to me.”

    Sin causes you to do what was once unthinkable!

    1 Samuel 28:3 “3 Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had put the mediums and the necromancers out of the land.”
    1 Samuel 28:7 “7 Then Saul said to his servants, “Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” And his servants said to him, “Behold, there is a medium at En-dor.””

    Sin produces more sin!

    1 Samuel 28:7 “7 Then Saul said to his servants, “Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” And his servants said to him, “Behold, there is a medium at En-dor.””
    1 Samuel 28:10 “10 But Saul swore to her by the Lord, “As the Lord lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this thing.””
    1 Samuel 28:12 “12 When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice. And the woman said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul.””

    Sin separates you from God!

    1 Samuel 28:6 “6 And when Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets.”

    Sin brings God’s judgment!

    1 Samuel 28:17 “17 The Lord has done to you as he spoke by me, for the Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David.”

    Sin brings consequences to everyone around you!

    1 Samuel 28:19 “19 Moreover, the Lord will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me. The Lord will give the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.””
    1 Samuel 2:6–7 ESV
    6 The Lord kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up. 7 The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and he exalts.
    1 Samuel 2:9–10 ESV
    9 “He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail. 10 The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces; against them he will thunder in heaven. The Lord will judge the ends of the earth; he will give strength to his king and exalt the horn of his anointed.”
    How does God exalt the humble and bring low the proud?
    God can use seasons of dejection to exalt the humble
    God can use repeated rebellion to bring low the proud
    1 Samuel 2:2 ESV
    2 “There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides you; there is no rock like our God.
    How do you need to respond?
    Two options-
    Proud- repentance
    Humble- hope
    Practical Application Challenge:
    This week, complete a 'spiritual inventory.' Write down areas where you've been ignoring God's voice. Confess them specifically to God and to a trusted Christian friend. Don't let your sin take you where Saul went—from king to consorting with mediums.

      • 1 Samuel 2:2ESV

      • 1 Samuel 2:7ESV

      • Leviticus 19:31ESV

      • Leviticus 20:6ESV

      • Leviticus 20:27ESV

      • 1 Samuel 28:3–7ESV

      • 1 Samuel 14:37ESV

      • 1 Samuel 14:38ESV

      • 1 Samuel 28:6ESV

      • 1 Samuel 28:7ESV

      • 1 Samuel 28:10ESV

      • 1 Samuel 28:15ESV

      • 1 Samuel 15:23ESV

      • 1 Samuel 28:15ESV

      • 1 Samuel 28:16ESV

      • 1 Samuel 28:17ESV

      • 1 Samuel 28:18ESV

      • 1 Samuel 28:19ESV

      • Ephesians 2:8–9ESV

      • Matthew 7:22–23ESV

      • 1 Samuel 28:20ESV

      • 1 Samuel 2:6–7ESV

      • 1 Samuel 2:9–10ESV

      • 1 Samuel 2:2ESV

  • Grace Greater Than Our Sin
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