1 Samuel, 28
3. Now Samuel had died and when all Israel had mourned for him, they buried him in his own city, Ramah. Meanwhile, Saul had driven those who consult spirits of the dead and fortunetellers out of the land.
3. Now Samuel had died and when all Israel had mourned for him, they buried him in his own city, Ramah. Meanwhile, Saul had driven those who consult spirits of the dead and fortunetellers out of the land.
Chapter 28 of 1 Samuel tells Saul's story seeking divine guidance through a necromancer, even though he himself had prohibited witchcraft in Israel. During the consultation, Samuel's spirit is invoked and warns Saul about his imminent death and Israel's defeat in battle. Below are five verses related to the topics covered in this chapter:
Deuteronomy 18:10-12: "Do not find in the middle of you who makes your son or daughter, neither guesser, nor prognizing, nor a sorcerer, nor charming, neither necromancer, nor magic, nor who to consult the dead; for everyone who does these things is abominable to the Lord " This verse clearly prohibits the practice of necromance and consultation with the dead, which Saul banned in Israel, but eventually resorted to his despair.
Leviticus 19:31: "Do not turn to the necromancers, nor to the grounds, do not seek them to be contaminated by them. I am the Lord your God." This verse also warns against the practice of necromance and other forms of divination, which are considered impure and abominable before God.
Isaiah 8:19: "When they say unto you, Consult the necromancers and the grounds, who squeeze and murmur between teeth, answer: will not consult a people to their God? In this verse, the prophet Isaiah warns the people of Israel not to seek counseling with necromancers and thresholds, but to trust God for guidance and protection.
2 Chronicles 10:13-14: "And the king responded to them harshly, despising the counsel of the elders, and spoke to them according to the counsel of the boys, saying, My father aggravated your yoke, but I will relieve him; punished with heavy whip, but I will punish you with lighter whip " This verse illustrates the danger of rejecting the advice of experienced elders in favor of the Council of Youth and Inexperients, as Saul did in rejecting Samuel's advice and seeking advice from a necromancer.
Proverbs 28:13: "Which covers your transgressions will never prosper, but what confesses them and will reach mercy." This verse highlights the importance of confession and repentance to obtain God's mercy, something that Saul seemed not willing to do, as he tried to cover his mistakes and weaknesses rather than confess them and seek divine forgiveness.
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