1 Samuel 28:9 meaning

In a desperate attempt to find guidance amidst impending defeat, Saul sought out a medium at Endor, despite having previously outlawed such practices. This moment reveals Saul's tragic decline as he turns from the God who appointed him king to consulting the very forces he once repudiated. By disguising himself, Saul attempted to mask his hypocrisy, highlighting his fear and desperation as he neared the end of his reign.

This plea illustrates the consequences of turning from God's direction. When God's voice ceased due to Saul's disobedience, he sought insights from a medium, thereby laying aside his integrity and kingship responsibilities. The encounter not only symbolizes Saul's failure to communicate with God but also hints at the dangers of substituting divine guidance with worldly sources. In 1 Samuel 28:9, the medium expresses fear for her life, reflecting the gravity of Saul's actions—he was now so lost that he risked everything to seek counsel from forbidden sources. This serves as a sobering reminder that a life of disobedience can lead to desperate choices, pulling individuals further from God's intended path.