Deeper Reflection
SAUL SOUGHT to “inquire” of a medium (v.7), because God “did not answer him” when he “inquired” of God (v.6). A relevant crucial question is: Can we reach a point where no matter how we inquire of God, God will not answer us? It was not that God had shut the door to Saul such that He would not open it to him again. But rather, it was Saul himself who had shut the door to God such that there was no way God could open it to him. The problem was not with God, but with Saul. The Philistine attack made Saul panic (vv.4-5), which made him seek God (v.6). What motivated Saul to seek God? The last time we hear of Saul is, when he heard that David had fled to Gath, “he no longer searched for him” (1 Sam 27:4). In his selfish ambition, Saul still wanted David dead. He inquired of God because he was in trouble. It was out of self-interest, rather than serving God. When inquiring of God failed, Saul turned to the next best alternative: a medium to call up the spirit of the dead Samuel (vv.8-11). Did Saul believe that it would work? Surely, he did. Saul embraced something that he believed was wrong in God’s sight, as seen in his removal of mediums and spiritists (vv.3, 7; Lev 19:31; 20:27). Saul had reached a point of no return, where his seeking of God would always be with the wrong heart. God sees the heart (1 Sam 16:7). And we must guard our hearts (Prov 4:23).