Sermon Tone Analysis

Searching for Light Where Darkness Dwells - 1 Samuel 28

PRAY

Intro: Science Fiction vs Spiritualism

We live in a day when science fiction is a common means of speculative entertainment.

- typically dealing with imaginative concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, and extraterrestrial life... - We’re entertained by theoretical ideas of what could be, or might be in the future, from Star Wars to Marvel’s Avengers.

But from the 1840’s to the 1920’s, there was a booming interest in spiritualism, especially in English-speaking countries.

(This is similar to what we deal with in our text today.)

- Spiritualism is based on the belief that the spirits of the dead exist and have both the ability and the inclination to communicate with the living.

Spiritualists often set March 31, 1848, as the beginning of their movement.

On that date, Kate and Margaret Fox, of Hydesville, New York, reported that they had made contact with a spirit that was later claimed to be the spirit of a murdered peddler whose body was found in the house, though no record of such a person was ever found.

The spirit was said to have communicated through rapping noises, audible to onlookers.

The Fox sisters became a sensation.

As the first celebrity mediums, the sisters quickly became famous for their public séances in New York.

However, in 1888 the Fox sisters admitted that this "contact" with the spirit was a hoax, though shortly afterward they recanted that admission.

In the years following the sensation that greeted the Fox sisters, demonstrations of mediumship proved to be a profitable venture, and soon became popular forms of entertainment and spiritual catharsis.

Despite numerous instances of chicanery, the appeal of spiritualism was strong.

They often preyed on the sensibilities of those who were grieving the death of a loved one.

But it wasn’t all trickery only, for [some] scientists who investigated the phenomenon also became converts.

(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiritualism) - At it’s peak, many viewed this spiritualism as a kind of macabre entertainment, others as a real means to communicate with the dead, and for others still it became a kind of religion.

- Though meeting with less popularity, spiritualism is alive and well today.

Why do you suppose that is? (see Ecc. 1:9)

It is always a foolish and fruitless endeavor to seek God or his will by any means other than that which he has directed.

By contrast, God offers light and life to those who come to him and learn from him on his terms: through Jesus the Christ, as revealed in the Bible.

Awkward! - David in a Compromising Position

(“called on to demonstrate his loyalty... by fighting against his own people” - Eugene H.

Merrill in Bible Knowledge Commentary)

When God’s Silence Is the Answer

V. 3 is transitional and explains how the situation is what it is for the story that unfolds.

Confirmation: Samuel is dead and buried.

- Reminds me of the first lines of Charles Dicken’s Christmas Carol: “Marley was dead, to begin with.

There is no doubt whatever about that.”

And Saul had done something good for once!

The law forbade mediums and necromancers (cf.

Lev 19:31), so Saul had put them out of the land.

(Well, for the most part, as we shall see.)

Let’s get back to the battle preparations...

subheading Title again here

In fear and desperation, Saul inquires of the Lord.

… But the Lord did not answer him.

God gave him no insight, not in any of the three basic ways that God, during that time, revealed his word and his will.

So these were the permissible means of seeking His will.

God often communicated his will in dreams (visions).

Now of course it was also important that they be interpreted rightly.

Urim - Along with Thummim, was kept in the breast pouch of the priest’s ephod and used by him to inquire of the Lord.

- Um, yeah, Saul had slain all but one of these guys, and he was with David.

(Abiathar, end of ch.

22)

Prophets - Samuel isn’t available, and he was the leader over the other prophets.

The Lord had rejected Saul, so it makes sense that they wouldn’t be of any help.

Why didn’t God answer.

Because God had already answered Saul.

God had rejected Saul because he had rebelliously rejected the word of the Lord: in other words, he deliberately disobeyed and made excuses rather than repenting!

Rather than listening to God’s silence (he never did listen to God), Saul stepped further into wickedness.

A note on Saul’s life in the Chronicles explains both how Saul didn’t really seek guidance from the Lord (with a heart prepared to listen to and obey God’s will), and how this thing that he does only serves to confirm God’s rejection and punishment of him.

[transition]

Saul disguised himself and went by night.

He had a couple reasons to do this:

En-dor was on the other side of the enemy camp! (so he would have had to sneak around them to get there) [map]

He knows this isn’t right.

- He’s the one who had removed them from the land, as you can tell by the medium’s initial reaction.

What I find most interesting in here is the medium’s response to the appearance of Samuel:

Surprise!

- Say Hello to Samuel

This is what I think is going on:

She’s accustomed to faking the appearance of somebody as a trick, or maybe even having a demonic falsehood, but not THIS!

God actually has Samuel appear.

(Note: This is NOT normal!)

Who Is Sovereign Over the Spirit Realm?

Who THINKS he is ruler, and does temporarily have significant influence?

Who ULTIMATELY rules…?

- Satan’s influence is only what God has granted (for a time).

- But God has spoken, the end is written, Jesus has conquered Satan, sin, and death.

He awaits judgment.

- Just as we see in the life of Saul in the verses momentarily.

We hear of this right now in Samuel’s reply:

Not the Answer You’re Looking For?

What ON EARTH did Saul expect, especially if this ploy succeeded in bringing up Samuel?

“God has turned away from me and answer me no more” - Who had informed him of this because of his disobedience!

“Therefore I have summoned you to tell me what I shall do.” - The reply is: Well, buddy, we’ve already had this conversation.

- So if you’re looking for an answer, you will lose this battle, your life, and the kingdom from your family.

(Textually, this could possibly mean that Saul would be with him in the “abode of the righteous.”)

[Let’s look at the final verses of our text today to observe Saul’s response to this final word from Samuel.]

Saul on Death Row, Awaiting Judgment

Now Saul seems resigned to his fate... and miserable.

Contrast - SCC’s song I’m Free (lyrics from first verse and Chorus)

The sun was beating down inside the walls of stone and razor wire

As we made our way across the prison yard

I felt my heart begin to race as we drew nearer to the place

Where they say that death is waiting in the dark

The slamming doors of iron echoed through the halls

Where despair holds life within its cruel claws

But then I met a man whose face seemed so strangely out of place

A blinding light of hope was shining in his eyes

And with repentance in his voice he told me of his tragic choice

That led him to this place where he must pay the price

But then his voice grew strong as he began to tell

About the One he said had rescued him from hell, he said...

[Chorus:]

I'm free, yeah, oh, I have been forgiven

God's love has taken off my chains and given me these wings

And I'm free, yeah, yeah, and the freedom I've been given