Day 109-11

VII The Reign of Saul - 1065-1025 B.C. ~ cont.

B. Decline of Saul and rise of David (5 years) ~ cont.

4. Saul's downfall ~ cont.

a. Saul's third war against the Philistines ~ cont.

(6) Saul's visit to the with of Endor - 1 Samuel 28:3-25

b. Death of Saul (apx 80 years) and Jonathan (apx 58 years) - 1 Samuel 31:1-13; 1 Chronicles 10:1-14
c. Accident to Mephibosheth causes lameness - 2 Samuel 4:4
d. David hears of deaths and laments - 2 Samuel 1:1-27
e. Descendants of Saul -  1 Chronicles 8:29-40; 1 Chronicles 9:35-44

{pages 480 - 485}

The witch of Endor...the commentaries I use are divided as to whether the 'person' the witch saw (which Saul did not) was actually Samuel or a demonic impersonator.  If you are interested in studying the issue further Gill, Henry, JFB and K&D are the commentaries which accompany my E-Sword program.  There are many others available on line, as well as several articles.  This one postured a thought that crossed my mind about the poor man (Lazarus) and the rich man.

There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham's bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.  Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father's house:  For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.  (Luke 16:19-31)

Also pondering on eternity - which is where Abraham and Lazarus were, as well as the rich man.  Time is only the box which God has made for us while we dwell upon the earth.  Great article on God and time: The Extradimensional Nature of God.

Another thought, when messengers of God have approached humans, and the humans bow or make obeisance to them, the messengers instruct them to not pay homage to them.  I have searched to find the passages, but to no avail.  I did, however, find this article on Theophanies of God which I found interesting.

If I had to make a choice as to whether or not the apparition was actually Samuel, I would say no.  The witch asked who Saul wanted brought up, she gave a description.  Saul *perceived* that it was Samuel, he did not actually see anything.  Whoever it was spoke to Saul, but Saul continued to be prostrate before *him*.  The *person* stated they had been disquieted, how can someone who is enjoying the peace of Abraham's bosom have anything but good?  I think Gill and Henry's position are probably the most accurate.