1Sa 28:19 | KingComments | STEP | Samuel does not address Saul through the medium but directly. He recalls what has already been said to Saul and confirms what Saul already should know. He now mentions the name of the man to whom the LORD has given the kingdom ( ). Samuel also tells him the cause of this: one disobedience brings this calamity to him ( ). Saul is also told that he will die the next day and his sons will die with him. Samuel says that Saul and his sons will be with him in the realm of the dead tomorrow. That is all he says. He does not say that they will be with him in Abraham’s womb. Jonathan will be there, but Saul however will not. Saul resembles Esau who also despised a blessing from God and who had no place for repentance and therefore sought this blessing in vain, although even with tears ( ). Now Samuel himself speaks to Saul with a question. Saul answers and reveals his despair. It is the despair of someone who wants to know the future, but who no longer gets to hear it from God. The reason for this is that all too often he rejected God when He announced the future to him. People often want to know what their future looks like, but they do not want to hear it from God. For such people God has become an adversary. It is a terrible expression to say of God that He has become one’s adversary.

‏ 1 Samuel 28:19

The Judgment of Saul Confirmed

Samuel does not address Saul through the medium but directly. He recalls what has already been said to Saul and confirms what Saul already should know. He now mentions the name of the man to whom the LORD has given the kingdom (1Sam 28:17). Samuel also tells him the cause of this: one disobedience brings this calamity to him (1Sam 28:18). Saul is also told that he will die the next day and his sons will die with him. Samuel says that Saul and his sons will be with him in the realm of the dead tomorrow. That is all he says. He does not say that they will be with him in Abraham’s womb. Jonathan will be there, but Saul however will not.

Saul resembles Esau who also despised a blessing from God and who had no place for repentance and therefore sought this blessing in vain, although even with tears (Heb 12:17). Now Samuel himself speaks to Saul with a question. Saul answers and reveals his despair. It is the despair of someone who wants to know the future, but who no longer gets to hear it from God. The reason for this is that all too often he rejected God when He announced the future to him. People often want to know what their future looks like, but they do not want to hear it from God. For such people God has become an adversary. It is a terrible expression to say of God that He has become one’s adversary.