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1 Samuel 31 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
Let’s do a quick recap. In desperation, Saul traveled to see a witch who brought back Samuel from the dead and predicted Saul’s death the next day. Today is the next day. Also in desperation, David joined forces with the Philistines and lived on their land so that Saul would not harm him. The Philistine commanders didn’t trust David, so they sent him home. The desperation of both men drove them to make rash decisions, however, Saul’s would cost him his life.
The story is sad. But I think the most disappointing part of this story resides in the fact that God showed mercy on Saul by allowing him to know the future. God allowed Samuel to speak to Saul even through the dark powers of witchcraft, and yet, what did Saul do with that information? We see no indication he tried to right the wrongs of his past. We see no record of repentance. This is the final, depressing act of Saul’s life.
Saul didn’t even trust God enough to believe he would die the next day.
Think about that. God didn’t have to communicate that truth to Saul. In fact, it is surprising to me that He did. I don’t fully understand if it was actually Samuel who was summoned or just a being that resembled him, but the prophecy was correct. We read that after Saul receives that information, he fell down terrified. Had he forgotten about the stories of old when the nation would turn from their sin and God would show mercy?
Let us never forget that the grace of God extends to the darkest of sins. Even if Saul would still have died the next day, he did nothing to reconcile with God and with David. He didn’t even try. That is the most depressing part of this story.