THE GHOST OF SAMUEL

If it’s true that souls cannot return to the world (Heb 9:27; 2 Sam 12:23), then why did Samuel seem to come back in 1 Sam 28:3–24? Could this event prove that the spirits of the dead can actually be consulted through mediums?

The Ghost of Samuel and the Different Views

Some suggest that the witch was able to bring Samuel back through evil spirits. Evil spirits do have the power to perform “miracles” (2 Thess 2:9). One problem with this view, however, is the truth that death is final (Heb 9:27). The idea that people can return after death through any means seems impossible. This also assumes that evil spirits have the authority to interfere with God’s sovereignty over life and death (Acts 17:25; Job 2:6). Evil spirits do not have the power to drag the dead back into the world.

Others say that Samuel did not really return, but rather an evil spirit only pretended to be the prophet to deceive Saul. This view is unlikely because the author explicitly stated that it was Samuel who appeared (1 Sam 28:12, 15, 16, 20). Even if we assume it was only an evil spirit deceiving Saul, there was actually no deception—because what the spirit said truly came to pass later (1 Sam 31), showing that the prophecy was authentic. Also, the oracle given at Endor (1 Sam 28:17–19) was consistent with what Samuel had already prophesied when alive (1 Sam 15:28; cf. 1 Kings 20:42).

The more reasonable view is that it was indeed Samuel, but God permitted it. Notice that the woman was shocked when she saw the spirit (v.12). Some scholars say her reaction suggests that even she did not expect to actually see Samuel! Could it be that this was the first time she had a genuine encounter with the spirit of the dead? It’s possible. Though not directly stated, it is safe to assume that the appearance of Samuel was an act of God, since no other explanation fits. The witch of Endor described the prophet as “a god coming up out of the earth” (v.13), an old man wearing a robe (v.14). Saul had a painful memory of tearing Samuel’s robe earlier (1 Sam 15:27–28). The description might have triggered those memories.

Does this Event Validate Necromancy?

The details of the story are too limited (and even debatable) to conclude that necromancy really allows people to talk with the spirits of the dead. Nowhere else in Scripture do we find such an event, so it remains an isolated case. While many things about the afterlife remain beyond our full understanding, we must not bend clear truths just to find answers. One clear truth is that death is final (Heb 9:27), unless God chooses to intervene, as in the case of Lazarus (Jn 11). At times, God reveals Himself in unexpected ways, like with Balaam’s talking donkey (Num 22). If God chose in rare instances to allow a spirit to return, this cannot be taken as a pattern or permission to consult the dead through witchcraft.

Why Would God Allow Samuel to Return?

It is obvious that God had already refused to answer Saul by other means (1 Sam 28:6), yet in this event, He still provided an answer. Scholars suggest several reasons. One is that God wanted to emphasize Saul’s doom and the certainty of judgment, to the point that even through a medium, the same prophecy came forth. The event also highlights God’s sovereignty over demonic forces. The miracle happened despite the witch or any evil spirit. God also used the crime itself (consulting the dead) as the very instrument to pronounce Saul’s punishment.

Another reasonable explanation is that, even until the very end, God was still calling Saul to repent — though in an unusual way. God’s judgment may be certain, yet He is still willing to forgive or even delay punishment, as with Nineveh (Jonah 3:10) and Hezekiah (Isa 38:5). God does not delight in the death of the wicked (Ezek 33:11).

What Does the Bible Say?

Despite what happened at Endor, the Bible consistently condemns consulting the dead (Deut 18:9–12; Ex 22:18; Lev 19:31; 20:27, etc.). The writer was careful not to give the impression that Saul’s act was acceptable (1 Sam 28:3, 9). Even Samuel himself was displeased at being disturbed (vv.15, 16). Scripture also condemns Saul explicitly for consulting a medium (1 Chron 10:13). The Endor event does not give permission for anyone to do the same.

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Out of desperation, Saul did the unthinkable — he consulted a medium. Rejected by God because of his disobedience and arrogance (1 Sam 15:23), his stubbornness was evident until the very end. Though he had a promising beginning, his life ended in tragedy. Truly, there remains nothing but judgment for those who refuse to repent. Stay Curious.

Sources and Studies:

Walton, J. and, Keener, C. (2016). “See footnotes for 1 Sam 28:13”. 𝘕𝘐𝘝 𝘊𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘵𝘶𝘥𝘺 𝘉𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦. Zondervan
Gleason, A.L (2001). “What took place in 1 Samuel 28:8–16? Did Samuel really appear to Saul? Did Saul actually talk with him in the witch’s cave? 𝘕𝘦𝘸 𝘐𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘯𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘌𝘯𝘤𝘺𝘤𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘢 𝘰𝘧 𝘉𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘋𝘪𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴 . Zondervan
Howe, T., and Geisler, N. (1992). 1 SAMUEL 28:7 ff—How could God allow the Witch of Endor to raise Samuel from the dead when God condemned witchcraft?”𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘊𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘴 𝘈𝘴𝘬. Victor Books.“