Many of us go through seasons of despair, when it seems like all is lost, or everything is going wrong. As believers, we might wonder whether God has abandoned us. But we still turn to God for comfort. But for unbelievers, they may seek support and comfort from any of many other places, where they will not find it.
Saul had reached his season of despair, as the realities of God’s judgement finally caught up with him. Unable to receive God’s guidance and direction, Saul turned to witchcraft and divination, explicitly forbidden under God’s Law. Through that medium, God gave one last message to Saul which left him without hope or comfort. This reminds us of the peril of unbelief, and the blessing that Jesus underwent his own season of despair so we would not.
In chapter 27 and the beginning of chapter 28, David’s sinfulness led him into a terrible dilemma, as he found himself volunteered as bodyguard for one of the Philistine Kings as they launched a full-scale invasion of Israel. But David was not the only one to enter a season of despair. Saul also faced an apparent moment of reckoning for his sinful deeds.
To set the scene, our text reminds us that the prophet Samuel had died (v.3), as mentioned in chapter 25. Further, Saul had made a point of expelling mediums and necromancers out of Israel, as commanded by Deuteronomy 18 (v.3). Saul was always good at public displays of righteousness.
The Philistines had invaded Israel, and the two sides gathered their forces and encamped near each other (v.4). Saul could see he was in big trouble (v.5).
Very big trouble. He sought God, but God was done talking to unbelieving Saul (v.6). Prayer, prophets, and Urim, it did not matter. God would not respond. Saul wanted life advice, not a saviour (Hebrews 6:4-6).
So Saul turned to “alternative approaches.” If God would not speak to Saul by the appointed means, he would try seeking divine counsel by other means. “Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her” Saul told his servants, who found one in Endor (v.7).
Off Saul went disguised to Endor, though not on a mission to destroy a Death Star but to consult a dead star (v.8). The woman was understandably cagey, thinking this was “the Feds” entrapping her, but Saul convinced her no harm would come (vv.9-10).
So the woman asked who this man wanted to see – none other than Samuel, the late prophet (v.11). He always gave good advice! Terror came to the woman when God permitted Samuel to appear (rather than presumably, a demonic Elvis impersonator or whatever her mind conjured up) and she realised it was King Saul in front of her (v.12).
After the woman told Saul that Samuel was coming, Saul bowed down to pay homage to the wise sage (vv.13-14). But Samuel was not amused at Saul’s calling him in his hour of crisis (v.15). Saul was God’s enemy, why call God’s servant? (v.16).
Bad news. God had sent the Philistines to bring down Saul, just as promised (vv.17-18). It was time for David to become king. Moreover, Saul and his sons were about to die and meet their Maker, and face the due judgement or reward depending on their trust (or otherwise) in him (v.19).
Saul was left empty, fainting at the message (v.20). With no comfort from God, the woman provided a meal for him and his servants as a distraction from the news (vv.21-5). Saul and his servants went away to meet what was coming at them. A final meal, a last supper, before the axe of judgement fell.
Here is the peril of unbelief laid bare. Saul rejected God’s commands, and God rejected Saul. Now the moment of his judgement had finally arrived, and God was not there to comfort him. Only the cold reality of what was coming.
For some, this “Dark Night of the Soul” or “Divine Despair” is the road by which unbelievers come to Christ. For many unbelievers though, hardened by many years of rejecting Christ and suppressing the truth of God’s existence in unrighteousness, there is no comfort that comes from God. Only the knowledge of coming judgement. Lord save us from this terrible fate!
Thankfully, for all who believe in Christ, the terror of God’s displeasure, the despair that comes from swiftly appearing Divine judgement, is not what we face. Because Jesus ate a Last Supper, and endured Divine Despair at the hands of God, when he bore the terrible judgement of God for our sins and unbelief on the Cross.
The axe of judgement fell on Christ. For six hours, Christ felt God’s anger and silence as he cried out “why have you forsaken me?” (Ps. 22:1).
All this, so we may be spared the judgement due to us, and find comfort and counsel from God in our seasons of despair.
