2 Samuel 8
KingComments2 Samuel 8:1
David in Ziklag
David does not want to live too close to Achish anyway. He hypocrites that he is but a servant of Achish and therefore cannot dwell in the royal city. Achish allows him to live in Ziklag, a city he even gets as property and which also remains the property of the kings of Judah. Thus, Ziklag in the land of God remains a reminder of this wrong way of David.
David will spend a year and four months in the land of the Philistines. No word of the LORD is heard all this time.
2 Samuel 8:2
David in Ziklag
David does not want to live too close to Achish anyway. He hypocrites that he is but a servant of Achish and therefore cannot dwell in the royal city. Achish allows him to live in Ziklag, a city he even gets as property and which also remains the property of the kings of Judah. Thus, Ziklag in the land of God remains a reminder of this wrong way of David.
David will spend a year and four months in the land of the Philistines. No word of the LORD is heard all this time.
2 Samuel 8:3
David’s Double Life
David is behaving here in accordance with what Saul said of him. For he acts very cunningly (1 Samuel 23:22). He not only goes to the enemies to live there, but he behaves as if he were an enemy of his own people. David can no longer go his way straightforward. His life consists of deceiving Achish, in whom he creates the false confidence that he has “surely made himself odious among his people Israel”.
The longer one propagates the lie, the more one believes in it oneself and is distorted by it in one’s character. What a misrepresentation! This false and hypocritical behavior becomes a habit of this man after God’s heart. How is it possible he perseveres in it? It is necessary that we pray: “Remove the false way from me, and graciously grant me Your law” [that is, God’s Word] (Psalms 119:29).
If the conscience of God’s servants tells them that they are in a wrong position, one of their excuses is that they are dedicating themselves with new energy to a certain good thing. In so doing, they make themselves believe that such a thing will silence their conscience. Thus David is committed to fight against the enemies of God and His people. For the Amalekites must be eradicated by order of God and Saul has failed to do so. David makes up for that omission. He goes there and defeats them, apparently because the LORD is with him.
However, we should not focus on success. This is what happens frequently in professing Christianity. It is not asked whether a particular matter is in accordance with the Scriptures or not, but whether something produces results. Result is the only thing that counts. The advice of the world is sought to make a ‘church’ attractive. Evangelists use worldly methods to offer the gospel. If only souls are saved, that is the justification. However, we should not judge things by what we see, but by whether something is according to Scripture and reject everything that contradicts it. It is a walk in faith, not a walk guided by what we see.
2 Samuel 8:4
David’s Double Life
David is behaving here in accordance with what Saul said of him. For he acts very cunningly (1 Samuel 23:22). He not only goes to the enemies to live there, but he behaves as if he were an enemy of his own people. David can no longer go his way straightforward. His life consists of deceiving Achish, in whom he creates the false confidence that he has “surely made himself odious among his people Israel”.
The longer one propagates the lie, the more one believes in it oneself and is distorted by it in one’s character. What a misrepresentation! This false and hypocritical behavior becomes a habit of this man after God’s heart. How is it possible he perseveres in it? It is necessary that we pray: “Remove the false way from me, and graciously grant me Your law” [that is, God’s Word] (Psalms 119:29).
If the conscience of God’s servants tells them that they are in a wrong position, one of their excuses is that they are dedicating themselves with new energy to a certain good thing. In so doing, they make themselves believe that such a thing will silence their conscience. Thus David is committed to fight against the enemies of God and His people. For the Amalekites must be eradicated by order of God and Saul has failed to do so. David makes up for that omission. He goes there and defeats them, apparently because the LORD is with him.
However, we should not focus on success. This is what happens frequently in professing Christianity. It is not asked whether a particular matter is in accordance with the Scriptures or not, but whether something produces results. Result is the only thing that counts. The advice of the world is sought to make a ‘church’ attractive. Evangelists use worldly methods to offer the gospel. If only souls are saved, that is the justification. However, we should not judge things by what we see, but by whether something is according to Scripture and reject everything that contradicts it. It is a walk in faith, not a walk guided by what we see.
2 Samuel 8:5
David’s Double Life
David is behaving here in accordance with what Saul said of him. For he acts very cunningly (1 Samuel 23:22). He not only goes to the enemies to live there, but he behaves as if he were an enemy of his own people. David can no longer go his way straightforward. His life consists of deceiving Achish, in whom he creates the false confidence that he has “surely made himself odious among his people Israel”.
The longer one propagates the lie, the more one believes in it oneself and is distorted by it in one’s character. What a misrepresentation! This false and hypocritical behavior becomes a habit of this man after God’s heart. How is it possible he perseveres in it? It is necessary that we pray: “Remove the false way from me, and graciously grant me Your law” [that is, God’s Word] (Psalms 119:29).
If the conscience of God’s servants tells them that they are in a wrong position, one of their excuses is that they are dedicating themselves with new energy to a certain good thing. In so doing, they make themselves believe that such a thing will silence their conscience. Thus David is committed to fight against the enemies of God and His people. For the Amalekites must be eradicated by order of God and Saul has failed to do so. David makes up for that omission. He goes there and defeats them, apparently because the LORD is with him.
However, we should not focus on success. This is what happens frequently in professing Christianity. It is not asked whether a particular matter is in accordance with the Scriptures or not, but whether something produces results. Result is the only thing that counts. The advice of the world is sought to make a ‘church’ attractive. Evangelists use worldly methods to offer the gospel. If only souls are saved, that is the justification. However, we should not judge things by what we see, but by whether something is according to Scripture and reject everything that contradicts it. It is a walk in faith, not a walk guided by what we see.
2 Samuel 8:6
David’s Double Life
David is behaving here in accordance with what Saul said of him. For he acts very cunningly (1 Samuel 23:22). He not only goes to the enemies to live there, but he behaves as if he were an enemy of his own people. David can no longer go his way straightforward. His life consists of deceiving Achish, in whom he creates the false confidence that he has “surely made himself odious among his people Israel”.
The longer one propagates the lie, the more one believes in it oneself and is distorted by it in one’s character. What a misrepresentation! This false and hypocritical behavior becomes a habit of this man after God’s heart. How is it possible he perseveres in it? It is necessary that we pray: “Remove the false way from me, and graciously grant me Your law” [that is, God’s Word] (Psalms 119:29).
If the conscience of God’s servants tells them that they are in a wrong position, one of their excuses is that they are dedicating themselves with new energy to a certain good thing. In so doing, they make themselves believe that such a thing will silence their conscience. Thus David is committed to fight against the enemies of God and His people. For the Amalekites must be eradicated by order of God and Saul has failed to do so. David makes up for that omission. He goes there and defeats them, apparently because the LORD is with him.
However, we should not focus on success. This is what happens frequently in professing Christianity. It is not asked whether a particular matter is in accordance with the Scriptures or not, but whether something produces results. Result is the only thing that counts. The advice of the world is sought to make a ‘church’ attractive. Evangelists use worldly methods to offer the gospel. If only souls are saved, that is the justification. However, we should not judge things by what we see, but by whether something is according to Scripture and reject everything that contradicts it. It is a walk in faith, not a walk guided by what we see.
2 Samuel 8:7
David’s Double Life
David is behaving here in accordance with what Saul said of him. For he acts very cunningly (1 Samuel 23:22). He not only goes to the enemies to live there, but he behaves as if he were an enemy of his own people. David can no longer go his way straightforward. His life consists of deceiving Achish, in whom he creates the false confidence that he has “surely made himself odious among his people Israel”.
The longer one propagates the lie, the more one believes in it oneself and is distorted by it in one’s character. What a misrepresentation! This false and hypocritical behavior becomes a habit of this man after God’s heart. How is it possible he perseveres in it? It is necessary that we pray: “Remove the false way from me, and graciously grant me Your law” [that is, God’s Word] (Psalms 119:29).
If the conscience of God’s servants tells them that they are in a wrong position, one of their excuses is that they are dedicating themselves with new energy to a certain good thing. In so doing, they make themselves believe that such a thing will silence their conscience. Thus David is committed to fight against the enemies of God and His people. For the Amalekites must be eradicated by order of God and Saul has failed to do so. David makes up for that omission. He goes there and defeats them, apparently because the LORD is with him.
However, we should not focus on success. This is what happens frequently in professing Christianity. It is not asked whether a particular matter is in accordance with the Scriptures or not, but whether something produces results. Result is the only thing that counts. The advice of the world is sought to make a ‘church’ attractive. Evangelists use worldly methods to offer the gospel. If only souls are saved, that is the justification. However, we should not judge things by what we see, but by whether something is according to Scripture and reject everything that contradicts it. It is a walk in faith, not a walk guided by what we see.
2 Samuel 8:9
Introduction
David has maneuvered himself into an untenable position. Before describing how this ends, Saul’s untenable position is described and how he deals with it.
David Must Fight Against Israel
The Philistines believe that the time has come to fight against Israel. They may have noticed that Saul’s strength is decreasing. Also, the stay of David with them will have given them a certain reassurance. Their greatest enemy, who had already inflicted many defeats on them, is now their ally. This will cause the moment to come that David will have to go with Achish to fight against his own people. He cannot continue his lying activities. The day of truth dawns. He will now have to take sides. Yet he does not. Achish tells him that he and his men will join him in the army to fight against Israel.
David persists in his false attitude. He is not open and does not answer yes or no but gives a general and circumventing answer. He resembles Peter who not only denies the Lord, but also his relationship to his fellow disciples (Luke 22:58). David has resorted to Achish to be free from Saul’s persecution. Now it appears that he is a prisoner of Achish. Achish even makes him his bodyguard forever. The great victor of the Philistine giant becomes the defender of the Philistines. That’s how far it can get with a believer who starts living in the lie.
2 Samuel 8:10
Introduction
David has maneuvered himself into an untenable position. Before describing how this ends, Saul’s untenable position is described and how he deals with it.
David Must Fight Against Israel
The Philistines believe that the time has come to fight against Israel. They may have noticed that Saul’s strength is decreasing. Also, the stay of David with them will have given them a certain reassurance. Their greatest enemy, who had already inflicted many defeats on them, is now their ally. This will cause the moment to come that David will have to go with Achish to fight against his own people. He cannot continue his lying activities. The day of truth dawns. He will now have to take sides. Yet he does not. Achish tells him that he and his men will join him in the army to fight against Israel.
David persists in his false attitude. He is not open and does not answer yes or no but gives a general and circumventing answer. He resembles Peter who not only denies the Lord, but also his relationship to his fellow disciples (Luke 22:58). David has resorted to Achish to be free from Saul’s persecution. Now it appears that he is a prisoner of Achish. Achish even makes him his bodyguard forever. The great victor of the Philistine giant becomes the defender of the Philistines. That’s how far it can get with a believer who starts living in the lie.
2 Samuel 8:11
The LORD Does Not Answer Saul
Here again the death of Samuel is pointed to. Samuel’s death also ends the prophetic revelations of God. This does not mean that they are no longer there at all, but they are no longer there for Saul. This fact is repeated to understand the rest of the chapter. The same goes for the remark that Saul has removed the mediums and spiritists from the land. One of them will also be discussed later in this chapter.
Saul did a big clean up of mediums and spiritists. However, this chapter shows that this must only have been an act of compensation for his disobedience. It is not the result of Godliness. His removal of those connected to demons seems to have been an action to save his face. He does not take God into account, but through such purification he can silence his conscience. This good deed is done with a wrong motive. It is nothing more than ‘refurbishing the flesh’. Therefore, Saul can go there later, if he must and will have a word from the invisible world. Then it turns out that his work was not a work he did with conviction for God.
When Saul sees that the Philistines are preparing to wage war against him, he becomes terrified. He sees himself forced to consult the LORD. But God no longer reveals Himself to him. The ways along which this could happen are closed. God does not reveal Himself directly to him through a dream. The way of the Urim is also closed. That is what Saul himself did by murdering the priests. Through the prophet Samuel there will be no revelation because Samuel has died. Saul is all alone. The LORD, and all that is of Him, is with David.
Saul does not receive an answer from the LORD because he does not come to Him with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. God cannot be consulted by those who think of things in their hearts other than what He has in mind (Ezekiel 14:3). How could he also expect the LORD to answer him, when he did not listen to Samuel during his life and still hates and persecutes David? Is God not listening to prayer? Yes, but not to the prayer of those who consciously turn away from Him and do not want to listen to Him: “He who turns away his ear from listening to the law, even his prayer is an abomination” (Proverbs 28:9). As soon as someone comes to Him with repentance, He listens immediately.
2 Samuel 8:12
The LORD Does Not Answer Saul
Here again the death of Samuel is pointed to. Samuel’s death also ends the prophetic revelations of God. This does not mean that they are no longer there at all, but they are no longer there for Saul. This fact is repeated to understand the rest of the chapter. The same goes for the remark that Saul has removed the mediums and spiritists from the land. One of them will also be discussed later in this chapter.
Saul did a big clean up of mediums and spiritists. However, this chapter shows that this must only have been an act of compensation for his disobedience. It is not the result of Godliness. His removal of those connected to demons seems to have been an action to save his face. He does not take God into account, but through such purification he can silence his conscience. This good deed is done with a wrong motive. It is nothing more than ‘refurbishing the flesh’. Therefore, Saul can go there later, if he must and will have a word from the invisible world. Then it turns out that his work was not a work he did with conviction for God.
When Saul sees that the Philistines are preparing to wage war against him, he becomes terrified. He sees himself forced to consult the LORD. But God no longer reveals Himself to him. The ways along which this could happen are closed. God does not reveal Himself directly to him through a dream. The way of the Urim is also closed. That is what Saul himself did by murdering the priests. Through the prophet Samuel there will be no revelation because Samuel has died. Saul is all alone. The LORD, and all that is of Him, is with David.
Saul does not receive an answer from the LORD because he does not come to Him with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. God cannot be consulted by those who think of things in their hearts other than what He has in mind (Ezekiel 14:3). How could he also expect the LORD to answer him, when he did not listen to Samuel during his life and still hates and persecutes David? Is God not listening to prayer? Yes, but not to the prayer of those who consciously turn away from Him and do not want to listen to Him: “He who turns away his ear from listening to the law, even his prayer is an abomination” (Proverbs 28:9). As soon as someone comes to Him with repentance, He listens immediately.
2 Samuel 8:13
The LORD Does Not Answer Saul
Here again the death of Samuel is pointed to. Samuel’s death also ends the prophetic revelations of God. This does not mean that they are no longer there at all, but they are no longer there for Saul. This fact is repeated to understand the rest of the chapter. The same goes for the remark that Saul has removed the mediums and spiritists from the land. One of them will also be discussed later in this chapter.
Saul did a big clean up of mediums and spiritists. However, this chapter shows that this must only have been an act of compensation for his disobedience. It is not the result of Godliness. His removal of those connected to demons seems to have been an action to save his face. He does not take God into account, but through such purification he can silence his conscience. This good deed is done with a wrong motive. It is nothing more than ‘refurbishing the flesh’. Therefore, Saul can go there later, if he must and will have a word from the invisible world. Then it turns out that his work was not a work he did with conviction for God.
When Saul sees that the Philistines are preparing to wage war against him, he becomes terrified. He sees himself forced to consult the LORD. But God no longer reveals Himself to him. The ways along which this could happen are closed. God does not reveal Himself directly to him through a dream. The way of the Urim is also closed. That is what Saul himself did by murdering the priests. Through the prophet Samuel there will be no revelation because Samuel has died. Saul is all alone. The LORD, and all that is of Him, is with David.
Saul does not receive an answer from the LORD because he does not come to Him with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. God cannot be consulted by those who think of things in their hearts other than what He has in mind (Ezekiel 14:3). How could he also expect the LORD to answer him, when he did not listen to Samuel during his life and still hates and persecutes David? Is God not listening to prayer? Yes, but not to the prayer of those who consciously turn away from Him and do not want to listen to Him: “He who turns away his ear from listening to the law, even his prayer is an abomination” (Proverbs 28:9). As soon as someone comes to Him with repentance, He listens immediately.
2 Samuel 8:14
The LORD Does Not Answer Saul
Here again the death of Samuel is pointed to. Samuel’s death also ends the prophetic revelations of God. This does not mean that they are no longer there at all, but they are no longer there for Saul. This fact is repeated to understand the rest of the chapter. The same goes for the remark that Saul has removed the mediums and spiritists from the land. One of them will also be discussed later in this chapter.
Saul did a big clean up of mediums and spiritists. However, this chapter shows that this must only have been an act of compensation for his disobedience. It is not the result of Godliness. His removal of those connected to demons seems to have been an action to save his face. He does not take God into account, but through such purification he can silence his conscience. This good deed is done with a wrong motive. It is nothing more than ‘refurbishing the flesh’. Therefore, Saul can go there later, if he must and will have a word from the invisible world. Then it turns out that his work was not a work he did with conviction for God.
When Saul sees that the Philistines are preparing to wage war against him, he becomes terrified. He sees himself forced to consult the LORD. But God no longer reveals Himself to him. The ways along which this could happen are closed. God does not reveal Himself directly to him through a dream. The way of the Urim is also closed. That is what Saul himself did by murdering the priests. Through the prophet Samuel there will be no revelation because Samuel has died. Saul is all alone. The LORD, and all that is of Him, is with David.
Saul does not receive an answer from the LORD because he does not come to Him with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. God cannot be consulted by those who think of things in their hearts other than what He has in mind (Ezekiel 14:3). How could he also expect the LORD to answer him, when he did not listen to Samuel during his life and still hates and persecutes David? Is God not listening to prayer? Yes, but not to the prayer of those who consciously turn away from Him and do not want to listen to Him: “He who turns away his ear from listening to the law, even his prayer is an abomination” (Proverbs 28:9). As soon as someone comes to Him with repentance, He listens immediately.
2 Samuel 8:15
Saul Goes to a Medium
Saul is only afraid of himself. It makes him desperate. In his despair he does not turn to God in acknowledgment of his disobedience, pride and arrogance and his unjust hatred of David. He goes in the direction many people take today, that of occultism. Allegorically seen, we are here at the end of a time. Professing Christianity has also come at a time when impure spirits are consulted. People open themselves up to it.
Saul seeks contact with the world of spirits. He lets find out if there is still anyone of the mediums left. His servants are all too willing to serve him in this evil cause. They immediately point to one. It is someone who lives in En-dor, a city not far from there. This medium has apparently escaped Saul’s clean up action. Apparently, Saul did not do his job that thoroughly. He disguises himself – as if he could deceive God! – and goes to En-dor.
The woman, the medium, is afraid at first that she will fall into a trap. God’s providence has ruled it in such a way that she tells Saul what he has commanded before. She points out the danger she is running because of the law that Saul has enacted. Maybe she does so to increase her price.
It is striking how aware she is of the danger she is in by Saul’s injunction to exterminate her ‘profession-group’, while ignoring the obligations of God’s law and the horrors of His wrath. She thinks of what Saul ordered, but what God ordered about such practices is completely irrelevant to her. She is more afraid to fall into a trap that can cost her life than to fall into the hands of the living God, “who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). Sinners are more afraid of punishment from men than of God’s righteous judgment.
However, the disguised Saul swears to her by the LORD that she need not be afraid of anything. He still dares, and even in this situation and in this demonic den, to call the name of the LORD and even to swear by Him. He speaks of a LORD Who lives, without this being a living reality for him. This is clear from what he promises the woman. He promises more than he can make true if he says: “No punishment shall come upon you.” He cannot save himself, and even less he can save her from the anger of living God.
He speaks this way because his heart is far removed from the reality of a real confession of what the Name of God means. His visit to this woman shows that he despises the God of Israel. Now that God has left him and is angry with him, he believes he can put his trust in a creature. In his case, these are even creatures who are apostates from God, who consciously revolt against Him, and who want to deceive His people to apostate from God.
Saul expressly appeals to someone who is in contact with demons. This is spiritism. No medium can bring back the dead. Only the Lord Jesus has “the keys of death and of Hades” (Revelation 1:18b). Yet the mediums are successful. This is, however, because they open themselves up to demonic spirits speaking through their mouths. They often know something about the deceased. God has completely forbidden this area for His people (Deuteronomy 13:1-17), but the masses do not care about it. We can observe that people massively read horoscopes, coming from the same source.
Asking the dead is in direct contrast to asking God. Isaiah deeply indignant speaks about this on behalf of God (Isaiah 8:19-20). Such consultation is an abomination to the LORD (Deuteronomy 18:9-12).
2 Samuel 8:16
Saul Goes to a Medium
Saul is only afraid of himself. It makes him desperate. In his despair he does not turn to God in acknowledgment of his disobedience, pride and arrogance and his unjust hatred of David. He goes in the direction many people take today, that of occultism. Allegorically seen, we are here at the end of a time. Professing Christianity has also come at a time when impure spirits are consulted. People open themselves up to it.
Saul seeks contact with the world of spirits. He lets find out if there is still anyone of the mediums left. His servants are all too willing to serve him in this evil cause. They immediately point to one. It is someone who lives in En-dor, a city not far from there. This medium has apparently escaped Saul’s clean up action. Apparently, Saul did not do his job that thoroughly. He disguises himself – as if he could deceive God! – and goes to En-dor.
The woman, the medium, is afraid at first that she will fall into a trap. God’s providence has ruled it in such a way that she tells Saul what he has commanded before. She points out the danger she is running because of the law that Saul has enacted. Maybe she does so to increase her price.
It is striking how aware she is of the danger she is in by Saul’s injunction to exterminate her ‘profession-group’, while ignoring the obligations of God’s law and the horrors of His wrath. She thinks of what Saul ordered, but what God ordered about such practices is completely irrelevant to her. She is more afraid to fall into a trap that can cost her life than to fall into the hands of the living God, “who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). Sinners are more afraid of punishment from men than of God’s righteous judgment.
However, the disguised Saul swears to her by the LORD that she need not be afraid of anything. He still dares, and even in this situation and in this demonic den, to call the name of the LORD and even to swear by Him. He speaks of a LORD Who lives, without this being a living reality for him. This is clear from what he promises the woman. He promises more than he can make true if he says: “No punishment shall come upon you.” He cannot save himself, and even less he can save her from the anger of living God.
He speaks this way because his heart is far removed from the reality of a real confession of what the Name of God means. His visit to this woman shows that he despises the God of Israel. Now that God has left him and is angry with him, he believes he can put his trust in a creature. In his case, these are even creatures who are apostates from God, who consciously revolt against Him, and who want to deceive His people to apostate from God.
Saul expressly appeals to someone who is in contact with demons. This is spiritism. No medium can bring back the dead. Only the Lord Jesus has “the keys of death and of Hades” (Revelation 1:18b). Yet the mediums are successful. This is, however, because they open themselves up to demonic spirits speaking through their mouths. They often know something about the deceased. God has completely forbidden this area for His people (Deuteronomy 13:1-17), but the masses do not care about it. We can observe that people massively read horoscopes, coming from the same source.
Asking the dead is in direct contrast to asking God. Isaiah deeply indignant speaks about this on behalf of God (Isaiah 8:19-20). Such consultation is an abomination to the LORD (Deuteronomy 18:9-12).
2 Samuel 8:17
Saul Goes to a Medium
Saul is only afraid of himself. It makes him desperate. In his despair he does not turn to God in acknowledgment of his disobedience, pride and arrogance and his unjust hatred of David. He goes in the direction many people take today, that of occultism. Allegorically seen, we are here at the end of a time. Professing Christianity has also come at a time when impure spirits are consulted. People open themselves up to it.
Saul seeks contact with the world of spirits. He lets find out if there is still anyone of the mediums left. His servants are all too willing to serve him in this evil cause. They immediately point to one. It is someone who lives in En-dor, a city not far from there. This medium has apparently escaped Saul’s clean up action. Apparently, Saul did not do his job that thoroughly. He disguises himself – as if he could deceive God! – and goes to En-dor.
The woman, the medium, is afraid at first that she will fall into a trap. God’s providence has ruled it in such a way that she tells Saul what he has commanded before. She points out the danger she is running because of the law that Saul has enacted. Maybe she does so to increase her price.
It is striking how aware she is of the danger she is in by Saul’s injunction to exterminate her ‘profession-group’, while ignoring the obligations of God’s law and the horrors of His wrath. She thinks of what Saul ordered, but what God ordered about such practices is completely irrelevant to her. She is more afraid to fall into a trap that can cost her life than to fall into the hands of the living God, “who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). Sinners are more afraid of punishment from men than of God’s righteous judgment.
However, the disguised Saul swears to her by the LORD that she need not be afraid of anything. He still dares, and even in this situation and in this demonic den, to call the name of the LORD and even to swear by Him. He speaks of a LORD Who lives, without this being a living reality for him. This is clear from what he promises the woman. He promises more than he can make true if he says: “No punishment shall come upon you.” He cannot save himself, and even less he can save her from the anger of living God.
He speaks this way because his heart is far removed from the reality of a real confession of what the Name of God means. His visit to this woman shows that he despises the God of Israel. Now that God has left him and is angry with him, he believes he can put his trust in a creature. In his case, these are even creatures who are apostates from God, who consciously revolt against Him, and who want to deceive His people to apostate from God.
Saul expressly appeals to someone who is in contact with demons. This is spiritism. No medium can bring back the dead. Only the Lord Jesus has “the keys of death and of Hades” (Revelation 1:18b). Yet the mediums are successful. This is, however, because they open themselves up to demonic spirits speaking through their mouths. They often know something about the deceased. God has completely forbidden this area for His people (Deuteronomy 13:1-17), but the masses do not care about it. We can observe that people massively read horoscopes, coming from the same source.
Asking the dead is in direct contrast to asking God. Isaiah deeply indignant speaks about this on behalf of God (Isaiah 8:19-20). Such consultation is an abomination to the LORD (Deuteronomy 18:9-12).
2 Samuel 8:18
Saul Goes to a Medium
Saul is only afraid of himself. It makes him desperate. In his despair he does not turn to God in acknowledgment of his disobedience, pride and arrogance and his unjust hatred of David. He goes in the direction many people take today, that of occultism. Allegorically seen, we are here at the end of a time. Professing Christianity has also come at a time when impure spirits are consulted. People open themselves up to it.
Saul seeks contact with the world of spirits. He lets find out if there is still anyone of the mediums left. His servants are all too willing to serve him in this evil cause. They immediately point to one. It is someone who lives in En-dor, a city not far from there. This medium has apparently escaped Saul’s clean up action. Apparently, Saul did not do his job that thoroughly. He disguises himself – as if he could deceive God! – and goes to En-dor.
The woman, the medium, is afraid at first that she will fall into a trap. God’s providence has ruled it in such a way that she tells Saul what he has commanded before. She points out the danger she is running because of the law that Saul has enacted. Maybe she does so to increase her price.
It is striking how aware she is of the danger she is in by Saul’s injunction to exterminate her ‘profession-group’, while ignoring the obligations of God’s law and the horrors of His wrath. She thinks of what Saul ordered, but what God ordered about such practices is completely irrelevant to her. She is more afraid to fall into a trap that can cost her life than to fall into the hands of the living God, “who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28). Sinners are more afraid of punishment from men than of God’s righteous judgment.
However, the disguised Saul swears to her by the LORD that she need not be afraid of anything. He still dares, and even in this situation and in this demonic den, to call the name of the LORD and even to swear by Him. He speaks of a LORD Who lives, without this being a living reality for him. This is clear from what he promises the woman. He promises more than he can make true if he says: “No punishment shall come upon you.” He cannot save himself, and even less he can save her from the anger of living God.
He speaks this way because his heart is far removed from the reality of a real confession of what the Name of God means. His visit to this woman shows that he despises the God of Israel. Now that God has left him and is angry with him, he believes he can put his trust in a creature. In his case, these are even creatures who are apostates from God, who consciously revolt against Him, and who want to deceive His people to apostate from God.
Saul expressly appeals to someone who is in contact with demons. This is spiritism. No medium can bring back the dead. Only the Lord Jesus has “the keys of death and of Hades” (Revelation 1:18b). Yet the mediums are successful. This is, however, because they open themselves up to demonic spirits speaking through their mouths. They often know something about the deceased. God has completely forbidden this area for His people (Deuteronomy 13:1-17), but the masses do not care about it. We can observe that people massively read horoscopes, coming from the same source.
Asking the dead is in direct contrast to asking God. Isaiah deeply indignant speaks about this on behalf of God (Isaiah 8:19-20). Such consultation is an abomination to the LORD (Deuteronomy 18:9-12).