Angels From the Time of the Judges to the Early Kingdom
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peril, he had been directed by an angel to save Israel.—
The Spirit of
Prophecy 1:371
.
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Saul Encounters an Angel
[Saul] allowed his impulses to control his judgment, until he was
plunged into a fury of passion. He had paroxysms of rage and madness,
when he was ready to take the life of any that dared oppose his will....
It was David’s blameless character and noble fidelity that had aroused
the wrath of the king; and he deemed the very life and presence of
David cast a reproach upon him....
He came to Ramah, and halted at a great well in Sechu. The people
were coming together to draw water, and he inquired where Samuel
and David were staying. When he was told that they were at Naioth,
he made haste to reach that place. But the angel of God met him on
the way and controlled him. The Spirit of God held him in its power,
and he went on his way uttering prayers to God, interspersed with
predictions and sacred melodies. He prophesied of the coming of
Messiah as the world’s Redeemer. When he came to Naioth in Ramah,
he laid aside his outer garments that betokened his station, and all day,
and all night, he lay before Samuel and his pupils, under the influence
of the divine Spirit.—
The Signs of the Times, August 24, 1888
.
Saul’s Séance at Endor and His Death
Again war was declared between Israel and the Philistines.... Saul
had learned that David and his force were with the Philistines, and he
expected that the son of Jesse would take this opportunity to revenge
the wrongs he had suffered. The king was in sore distress.... On the
morrow, Saul must engage the Philistines in battle. The shadows
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of impending doom gathered dark about him; he longed for help
and guidance. But it was in vain that he sought counsel from God.
“The Lord answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by
prophets.” ...
Then said Saul unto his servants, “Seek me a woman that hath
a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and inquire of her.” ... It was
told the king that a woman who had a familiar spirit was living in
concealment at Endor. This woman had entered into covenant with