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From Eternity Past
“Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a fa-
miliar spirit, that I may go to her, and inquire of her.” Necromancy had
been forbidden by the Lord, and the sentence of death was pronounced
against all who practiced its unholy arts. Saul had commanded that all
wizards and those that had familiar spirits should be put to death. But
now, in desperation, he had recourse to that which he had condemned
as an abomination.
A woman who had a familiar spirit was living in concealment at
Endor. She had entered into covenant with Satan to fulfill his purposes
and, in return, the prince of evil revealed secret things to her.
Disguising himself, Saul went by night with two attendants to
seek the sorceress. Oh, pitiable sight! the king of Israel led captive by
Satan! Trust in God and obedience to His will were the only conditions
upon which Saul could be king of Israel. Had he complied with these
conditions, his kingdom would have been secure; God would have
been his guide, the Omnipotent his shield. Although his rebellion and
obstinacy had well-nigh silenced the divine voice in the soul, there
was still opportunity for repentance. But when in his peril he turned
to Satan, he cut the last tie that bound him to his Maker. He placed
himself fully under the control of the demoniac power which for years
had brought him to the verge of destruction.
Under cover of darkness, Saul and his attendants safely passed the
Philistine host. They crossed the mountain ridge to the lonely home
of the sorceress of Endor. Disguised as he was, Saul’s lofty stature
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and kingly bearing declared that he was no common soldier. His rich
gifts strengthened her suspicions. To his request the woman answered,
“Saul hath ... cut off those that have familiar spirits, and the wizards,
out of the land: wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life, to
cause me to die?” Then “Saul sware to her by the Lord, saying, As the
Lord liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.”
And when she said, “Whom shall I bring up unto thee?” he answered,
“Samuel.”
After practicing her incantations, she said, “I saw gods ascending
out of the earth... . An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a
mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with
his face to the ground, and bowed himself.”
It was not God’s prophet that came forth. Samuel was not present
in that haunt of evil spirits. Satan could as easily assume the form of