MPV Commentary

Saul Seeks a Witch, Who, Being Encouraged by Him, Raises Samuel.

7-8. Then Saul told his servants to find him a woman who claimed to have a familiar spirit. Despite having outlawed this practice and taken measures against those involved in it, Saul's attendants were able to locate a woman living nearby who was believed to possess these forbidden powers. Under the cover of night, Saul traveled to her house, accompanied by two loyal servants.

En-dor, situated on the other side of the Gilboa range opposite Mount Tabor, was the location of this secluded woman's home. As Saul and his attendants passed over the ridge where the Philistines were encamped, they risked detection.

8-14. Bring me up whom I shall name to you, Saul instructed the woman, who claimed not only to possess a familiar spirit but also to be a necromancer (as forbidden in Deuteronomy 18:11). Although she initially refused to comply with Saul's request, he assured her that no harm would come to her if she did. It is likely that the woman was suspicious of Saul's true identity and intentions due to his extraordinary stature, the deference shown him by his attendants, and the ease with which they had arrived at her home.

The story has sparked debate about whether Samuel actually appeared or not. On one hand, the woman's profession was forbidden by law, God refused to answer Saul through divinely appointed means, and she could have easily represented herself as Samuel or enlisted an accomplice to deceive him. The apparition seemed distant, muffled, and not directly seen by Saul, who was prostrate in homage. Additionally, the information provided was vague and could have been obtained through natural conjecture.

On the other hand, many writers believe that Samuel truly appeared, considering that he came before the woman's arts were employed, she was surprised and alarmed, and the prediction of Saul's death and defeat was confidently made.

24. The woman had a fat calf ready for them, and she quickly slaughtered it, prepared it, and served it to them.

25. Then they got up and left that night. Exhausted from fasting, overwhelmed with mental distress, and now driven to despair, the cold sweat broke on Saul's brow as he sank helpless to the ground. However, the woman's kindness and his servants' attentions revived him, and he returned to the camp to await his fate.