Did King Saul really talk to the spirit of Samuel, or was it a demonic impersonation?
The question presupposes that there are only two options—that he was talking to the real Samuel or to a demon. The Philistines threatened war in the Jezreel Valley. Out of fear Saul sought a word from the LORD. Ironically, Saul, who had once despised the LORD’S will (14:18–19; 15:26), could not discover it now that he desperately needed it (compare 28:16). When God refused to answer Saul through legitimate means, Saul sought a spiritual medium (28:1–7). By deceiving the witch at Endor, Saul convinced her to bring Samuel from the dead. Much to her surprise, the appearance was a genuine one, and by it, she discovered Saul’s true identity. God intervened in an unprecedented way and actually sent Samuel to prophesy Saul’s judgment (compare 15:27–29). Samuel condemned Saul to death because he “did not obey the LORD” (28:18). So great was Saul’s despondency that he could not continue. At the urging of Saul’s men and the sorceress, he took food to strengthen himself for his travel (28:...