Sunday, May 22, 2016

Reflection - King Saul and the Witch of Endor

PHOTO: The Witch of Endor: According to the Bible, King Saul asked her to conjure the spirit of the prophet Samuel (1 Samuel 28:14).
Illustrated by Gerard Hoet (1648-1733) - Saul with the witch of Endor (1728)
Posted by mortuivivosdocent on 11 June 2012 at 11:53 PM
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPkBxzfrNM8Vzo0C-RGJdgG6mXz6bZEOvgQZm1vwzWiSOi4bKp8McZ4-uPdY2ypsLMXKsxUlc7SmlyW47-xMoftY7J7AYSlpM4MGA51qLfH4A50kQAOKk4qJdJTkdvnlMEuPZkUY-hXKM/s1600/tumblr_m5eu89fdtf1r7s83so1_1280.jpg
http://40.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m5eu89fdtf1r7s83so1_1280.jpg
http://nihtern.tumblr.com/post/24933652492/mortuivivosdocent-the-witch-of-endor-1728


QUESTION:  In the book of 1 Samuel, it states the witch of Endor conjured up the prophet Samuel for King Saul. By whose power did she do this?

ANSWER:
The city of Endor, where the witch was located, is in the Northern part of the land God gave to the Israelite tribe of Isaachar. It was a city, however, assigned to the tribe of Manasseh (Joshua 17:11).

The first question to ask is how did this first human king of Israel, selected by God, got to a point where he would use the services of a witch? Although his rule started out well, he soon began to have troubles. He disobeyed God's law when he offered burnt and peace offerings before a battle, a responsibility given only to priests (1 Samuel 13:7-14). His punishment for this action was that his descendants would not rule Israel.


King Saul Made An Oath and Made A Sacrifice.
PHOTO: King Saul Made An Oath and Made A Sacrifice.
He disobeyed God's law when he offered burnt and peace offerings before a battle, a responsibility given only to priests (1 Samuel 13:7-14). His punishment for this action was that his descendants would not rule Israel.
Picture posted by Jesus Loves You Today Ministry 
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH5IzLEU03rfyziwcROt-vOAzgaDT7GHeGa6oMrUC0I46mtkW002Fh3AJJelOPE_vOyMGVwsTJpkBOuEpOX-YsSGCoAvD3uejjRkEwiLIoj4mU6cAmrggyix6Iij9pPg-Kua9tQoH-4bo/s1600/1_Samuel_14.192213158_std.jpg
http://www.jesuslovesyoutoday.org/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/1_Samuel_14.192213158_std.jpg
http://www.jesuslovesyoutoday.org/bible_study_pictures_and_notes/1_samuel_14-17


Saul later disobeyed the Eternal and lied to Samuel when, instead of killing all the Amalekites and destroying all their possessions, he kept the evil Amalekite king alive and tried to take the best of the animals for himself (1 Samuel 15:1-26). Additionally, the spirit of the Lord which was upon Saul was soon taken from him and he began to be troubled by an evil spirit (1 Samuel 16:14). David's rise in popularity (1 Samuel 18:7) leads Saul to fits of rage and revenge against him. Sometime later, his friend and mentor Samuel dies (1 Samuel 28:3).


Saul later disobeyed the Eternal and lied to Samuel when, instead of killing all the Amalekites and destroying all their possessions, he kept the evil Amalekite king alive and tried to take the best of the animals for himself (1 Samuel 15:1-26).
PHOTO: Saul later disobeyed the Eternal and lied to Samuel when, instead of killing all the Amalekites and destroying all their possessions, he kept the evil Amalekite king alive and tried to take the best of the animals for himself (1 Samuel 15:1-26). Saul spared Agag the king and the best of their flocks. The spirit of the Lord which was upon Saul was soon taken from him and he began to be troubled by an evil spirit (1 Samuel 16:14).
And Samuel said, "As your sword has made women childless, so shall your mother be childless among women." And Samuel hacked Agag to pieces before the Lord in Gilgal (1 Samuel 15:33).
illustration by Gustave Doré - La mort d'Agag (The death of Agag)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaHuUfXcNJCC2YjtHQH0dy9AO3cY8FJGs4bNIpLSDldlmk2gIJFoUftCK7P0WMtScqlc8iVDhX54lHVIotzgtrE46TMi7BKTwyOjBu-mVtkccOBercAj_TK6MKPVoW-KAtFWPOmPCjUWU/s1600/Gustave_Dor%25C3%25A9_Morte_Agag.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/00/Gustave_Dor%C3%A9_Morte_Agag.jpg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agag


King Saul unsuccessfully tried to consult God regarding his upcoming battle with the Philistines through the accepted means of the Urim and the prophets (1 Samuel 28:6). He was now clearly a troubled, rejected man who desperately wanted counsel regarding what he should do next. It is at this point in his life he seeks to contact the prophet through a woman who had a 'familiar spirit,' a witch of the city of Endor.

Saul disguised himself in order to meet with the witch. When he finally visited her in secret, he asked her to contact the dead spirit of Samuel.


Saul was now clearly a troubled, rejected man who desperately wanted counsel regarding what he should do next.
PHOTO: Saul was now clearly a troubled, rejected man who desperately wanted counsel regarding what he should do next. It is at this point in his life he seeks to contact the prophet through a woman who had a 'familiar spirit,' a witch of the city of Endor.
Painting by John William Waterhouse (1849 - 1917) - Magic Circle (1886)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQ9FrGMf0La69G1_4h1x54O8md_T5ovNSX92rU7nRzHVF2S63zfgEgF8Zgq5pL2KbtoXLe5g0uxqd1ZsipymgaDFFrIgS67yhCOKRhLZUkab3s6AuSc3inHuH7myOOX8cfIhocxXXlpA/s1600/magischer-kreis.jpg
http://img.okinko.de/live-data/john-william-waterhouse/magischer-kreis.jpg
http://www.okinko.de/john-william-waterhouse


King Saul unsuccessfully tried to consult God regarding his upcoming battle with the Philistines through the accepted means of the Urim and the prophets (1 Samuel 28:6).
PHOTO: King Saul unsuccessfully tried to consult God regarding his upcoming battle with the Philistines through the accepted means of the Urim and the prophets (1 Samuel 28:6). He resort to seeks to contact the prophet through a witch of the city of Endor.
Painting by John William Waterhouse (1849 - 1917) - Magic Circle (1886)
Picture posted by Chrystal Raven Rowanwood (Jinjoe) on 30 June 2015
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN_qRZ_VVt6tcgq12ggr6Tuou7kmv6JUGnY0-uq8aizJxZ8f2qrTe1dIqxel2Ej_MBwuCnE9Hw4EVlSQf5mVgp5CD2lzQn-COQYPMO7tDR_mOPEsR9XBDZU1bSd5Sscid-6fWkGInGCYU/s1600/The_magic_circle%252C_by_John_William_Waterhouse.jpg
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ad/The_magic_circle%2C_by_John_William_Waterhouse.jpg
http://phoenixrisingschool.com/2015/06/


(Saul asked the witch) said to her. 'What do you see?' 'I see a spirit coming up from the earth,' she answered. 14 'What does it look like?' he asked. 'It’s an old man . . . He is wearing a cloak.' Then Saul knew that it was Samuel . . . (1 Samuel 28:13-14)

Do not go for advice to people who consult the spirits of the dead (Leviticus 19:31, see also 20:6)

Any man or woman who consults the spirits of the dead shall be stoned to death; (Leviticus 20:27)


The Witch of Endor conjures up the spirit of Samuel at the request of Saul
PHOTO: The Witch of Endor conjures up the spirit of Samuel at the request of Saul
(Saul asked the witch) said to her. 'What do you see?' 'I see a spirit coming up from the earth,' she answered. 14 'What does it look like?' he asked. 'It’s an old man . . . He is wearing a cloak.' Then Saul knew that it was Samuel . . . (1 Samuel 28:13-14)
Painting by Kunz Meyer Waldeck - The Witch of Endor (1902)
Posted by searchme on Wednesday, 7 March 2012at 12:10 PM
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynnnaDC6Y9rJJPZA2hrXaTkCnC0dBVR3lcwsqzkSQcLeL1YZs2ozG8UboTdScGscJhDyi9sXI_9g-HJKcsj6YXdnwDtsC1Yp2ciQ7IubfifICE1mGsi_dThdP-7RZtrLDcYQzdRnyGn4/s1600/1902_Die+Hexe+von+Endor+by+Kunz+Meyer-Waldeck.jpg
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZOTyB0YW6QeidBoqWnvf7JQ_OKxZI6_c0FcmneYkLTy-1S1NMiHJ4cYu_Ws3M5GKvDEL1OqIrQ1S7ikWOwkcRxxX32x4bgn-W7mSvoxoKxuPCVZyH2hQkcHEANb-CTtzvFX86qridyHM/s1600/1902_Die+Hexe+von+Endor+by+Kunz+Meyer-Waldeck.jpg
http://whosthatgirl-searchme.blogspot.sg/2012/03/witches.html


He had Moses tell the children of Israel that it was the practices of the original inhabitants of the land of Canaan, such as human sacrifice, divination, sorcery, witchcraft and consulting the dead, that had caused Him to decide that the Israelites would take their land from them (Deuteronomy 18:9-14).


God had Moses tell the children of Israel that it was the practices of the original inhabitants of the land of Canaan, such as human sacrifice, divination, sorcery, witchcraft and consulting the dead, that had caused Him to decide that the Israelites would take their land from them (Deuteronomy 18:9-14).
PHOTO: God had Moses tell the children of Israel that it was the practices of the original inhabitants of the land of Canaan, such as human sacrifice, divination, sorcery, witchcraft and consulting the dead, that had caused Him to decide that the Israelites would take their land from them (Deuteronomy 18:9-14).
Do not go for advice to people who consult the spirits of the dead (Leviticus 19:31, see also 20:6)
Any man or woman who consults the spirits of the dead shall be stoned to death; (Leviticus 20:27)
Painting by luis ricardo falero - Witches going to their sabbath (1878)
Picture posted by artrenewal.org
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQa09nQmU-G8wsIGzgFTVJoDQ9mqwieDuWUy__mq8oIbFXYE71eBQJxqN6tiIJgFU1E95nqJ7a3tAgdmC0JvOMILMKvmKHu-4LVftxORzjxnNt7KSU6iDvrpdIQMoNpU5wN11TZT7IO4Q/s1600/vision_of_faust-huge.jpg
http://www.artrenewal.org/artwork/150/150/29361/vision_of_faust-huge.jpg
http://www.artrenewal.org/artwork/150/150/29361/


Although the Bible does not say the witch of Endor used the power of Satan to do her "consulting of the dead," we are told that she was possessed with a "familiar spirit", i.e., a demon, and by the scriptures quoted and many others, we know such things DO NOT come from God.


Although the Bible does not say the witch of Endor used the power of Satan to do her 'consulting of the dead,' we are told that she was possessed with a
PHOTO: Although the Bible does not say the witch of Endor used the power of Satan to do her 'consulting of the dead,' we are told that she was possessed with a "familiar spirit", i.e., a demon, and by the scriptures quoted and many others, we know such things DO NOT come from God.
Painting by Benjamin West (born 1738 - died 1820) - Saul and the Witch of Endor (1777)
The ghost of Samuel appears to the witch of Endor; Saul falls prostrate to the ground 
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoYw_u4UdBVtSgFXXDahm2pl38jmzWtNZQbY6ZOtc61bb5gVtOD8g6yBK6Ijnr3-CVJMo-lRWmtkzACRdFGKOvWqfugjmrJr_8xny3HUzNs5yttgTMpnrLs4js5B599a2lddP3yyzvs3M/s1600/11326.jpg
https://www.pubhist.com/works/11/large/11326.jpg
https://www.pubhist.com/w11326


Whatever or whoever it was that Saul saw in the vision conjured by the witch, it certainly was not Samuel for he was dead (1 Samuel 28:3). We also know that the dead "know nothing" and have no part "in any thing under the sun" (see Ecclesiastes 9:5-6). The vision told him that Israel was going to lose its battle, Saul and his sons would be killed, and the kingdom would be handed over to David. This is only PARTLY true. The enemy did not kill the king. Rather, he killed himself after receiving several wounds from Philistine archers (see 1 Samuel 31:1-6; 2 Samuel 1-5). God controls all things. Perhaps He controlled the vision that Saul saw, but I think it more likely that the demon in the witch of Endor took delight in taunting the king.


The vision told him that Israel was going to lose its battle, Saul and his sons would be killed, and the kingdom would be handed over to David.
PHOTO: The vision told him that Israel was going to lose its battle, Saul and his sons would be killed, and the kingdom would be handed over to David. This is only PARTLY true. The enemy did not kill the king. Rather, he killed himself after receiving several wounds from Philistine archers (see 1 Samuel 31:1-6; 2 Samuel 1-5).
Original wood engraving according Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld engraved by Wolf. 1850 - Death of Saul
Picture posted by  Woodland Baptist Church
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5rD58tALMKtVjLO-K9E4Tn9l4ic180G1oFsWAQvvHZZmMdfL5GXjL6HAfV3qhk9CoxtR8z2-CHQd4ga4AmesI5MrA_miIOIf9ZLP6L7bT-jt3a6HL34kQ4VtA5eVnOLRSMLcPO6hAS00/s1600/saul-dies-in-battle-89-1.jpg
http://woodlandonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/saul-dies-in-battle-89.jpg
http://woodlandonline.org/2015/01/the-horrors-of-war-final-consquence-of-disobedience-1-samuel-31/


Dear Lord, We pray that You keep us from consulting the spirits of the dead.
PHOTO: "Dear Lord, We pray that You keep us from consulting the spirits of the dead. Protect us also from being lure into using the power of Satan that DO NOT come from God. Amen!"
Painting by John William Waterhouse (1849-1917) - Circe, dangerous mistress of Odysseus
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy0DozPQqGMKwYf-P-P3hUeDonOLX8x0nk9D2bA364NKqaK3Z7IoMYEwacN9Igw6gOA2nBfuN7uIuntJbJsIxqlA1urt-F4jwGJiFZdRBN-8Ybfe0H0HyANMVwBXKpFyQpR_5bl9OJnOk/s1600/circe-offering-the-cup-to-odysseus-john-william-waterhouse.jpg
https://manyinterestingfacts.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/circe-offering-the-cup-to-odysseus-john-william-waterhouse.jpg
https://manyinterestingfacts.wordpress.com/tag/witches/

Reflection - King Saul and the Witch of Endor
By The Bible Study Site



Reference
[1] King Saul and the Witch of Endor, posted by The Bible Study Site, http://www.biblestudy.org/question/why-did-king-saul-use-witch-to-contact-prophet.html

NIV, New International Version, Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

1 Samuel 13:7-14 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+13%3A7+-+14&version=NIV

1 Samuel 15:1-26 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+15%3A1+-+26&version=NIV

1 Samuel 16:14 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+16%3A14&version=NIV

1 Samuel 15:33 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+15%3A33&version=NIV

1 Samuel 18:7 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+18%3A7&version=NIV

1 Samuel 28:3 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+28%3A3&version=NIV

1 Samuel 28:6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+28%3A6&version=NIV

1 Samuel 28:13-14 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+28%3A13+-+14&version=NIV

1 Samuel 28:14 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+28%3A14&version=NIV

1 Samuel 31:1-6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Samuel+31%3A1-6&version=NIV

2 Samuel 1-5 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Samuel+1-5&version=NIV

Deuteronomy 18:9-14 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+18%3A9+-+14&version=NIV

Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes+9%3A5+-+6&version=NIV

Joshua 17:11 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+17%3A11&version=NIV

Leviticus 19:31 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus+19%3A31&version=NIV

Leviticus 20:6 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus+20%3A6&version=NIV

Leviticus 20:27 - https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Leviticus+20%3A27&version=NIV
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