What Saul’s Visit to the Witch of Endor Taught Me
God is not confined to our categories. The real test of faith is not chasing answers in forbidden places, but waiting in humility and trust.
I recently read a thought-provoking piece from Paul Walker about Saul’s visit to the Witch of Endor which has been weighing on my mind still, and I wanted to take that conversation further and reflect on what this story taught me about God, silence, and trust.
His article, which I highly recommend you read, begins with an unlikely guest who is suspicious of a doll because of where it was gotten. That struck a chord with me.
As a young girl growing up in the streets of Abak, Uyo, and Calabar, I realize in retrospect that I believed more in witches, wizards, and their powers than in the sovereignty of God. Back then it felt like we were fighting evil spirits every single day and no matter how hard we tried, it seemed like they always found a way through.
A lot of Christians back home, and many others I encountered in other parts of the world while travelling, have been made to feel like they must be in “spiritual combat mode” every second of the day, binding, casting, breaking, and constantly on edge. This is why a prayer warrior might look at what most would consider a harmless baby doll, and immediately see a pathway for the devil. But that is denominational teaching at its best, not Christianity.
What I have personally learnt from the Scripture is that this is not the picture we are given. Yes, we are in a spiritual battle, but it is not frantic. Paul says “we wrestle not against flesh and blood” (Ephesians 6:12). The battle is real. But in the very next verses he does not tell us to panic or fight every moment, he says to stand firm by putting on the armour of God (Ephesians 6:13-17).
Christians are called to abide, not to be anxious fighters (Galatians 5:22-23).
The enemy is real, but already defeated (Colossians 2:15). We are called to resist the devil, not obsess over him (James 4:7). Even Peter says to be watchful, not fearful (1 Peter 5:8). Which to me means, if you are a practicing Christian and you spend more time worrying about the devil than growing in your relationship with your Creator, something is amiss.
As for Saul’s visit to the witch, I believe this should be an important learning point for practicing Christians. Yes, God can use anyone, and in that moment He used a medium to pronounce judgement on Saul. But the lesson there should be that we, at all times, must lean fast to God when we feel impatient.
Impatience is what makes us panic, lean on our own understanding, and demand outcomes on our timetable. And it almost always leads to painful consequences. Like when Sarah got impatient and told Abraham to take Hagar (Genesis 16). The Israelites got impatient and pressured Aaron to make the golden calf (Exodus 32). Or when Saul panicked as his army scattered and offered the sacrifice himself, which led to the kingdom being torn from him. (1 Samuel 13).
I believe these stories should serve as reminders to practicing Christians as to why they should not fret. The real battle is not always visible or what we imagine evil to be. Sometimes it is the subtle voice in our mind pulling us off course. That is where we must resist, casting down fear, and believing that as long as we hold steadfast, then whatever it is shall pass (Isaiah 14:24), come rain or shine. The vicissitude of life happens to all, but waiting in faith can turn even suffering into a greater purpose (Genesis 50:20). Patient, persistent prayer in silence brings breakthrough in God’s time, just like Hannah (1 Samuel 1), and Job, who endured silence, pain, and loss, but held firm.
At first I thought this person was atheist, but I will assume that since they were reading a Christian related post, they probably are not. More likely they are someone who, like many of us, still struggles with parts of the Bible.
Nevertheless, from my own little understanding of this story, their point may sound reasonable at first glance. After all, God had used plagues before against Egypt in the time of Moses. But the Witch of Endor story was not about the Philistines. They were never the focus. The real issue was Saul’s broken relationship with God.
Back in 1 Samuel 15:28, Samuel told Saul that the kingdom was torn from him and would be given to David. The battle at Mount Gilboa (1 Samuel 31) was simply the moment that prophecy came to pass. It was not about military strategy but about God’s word being fulfilled. The Philistines were only an instrument. They were tools to bring God’s judgement until Israel turned back to Him. Later on, David would defeat the Philistines decisively (2 Samuel 5:17-25), showing they were not the real problem.
I like to think the silence Saul faced was his test, but instead of waiting, his panic led him to the forbidden, which sealed his fate. God’s focus was the throne, not the battle. The entire arc of 1 Samuel shows God transitioning leadership from Saul to David. The Philistine battle was simply the backdrop for that transfer. If God had wiped them out with a plague, Saul would have probably remained king, which I think would have contradicted God’s word and delayed His plan.
This response tickled me a great deal. I understood that this person did not like my comment and wanted me to know, yet could not be bothered to make a proper argument that would give me a fair chance to respond. Nevertheless, since we are already here, I will fill in the gaps.
I know the Bible can feel contradictory, especially when we take isolated stories without the wider context. But Scripture itself insists that God does not contradict His own word (Numbers 23:19). In Deuteronomy 18:10-12 God clearly condemns witchcraft, divination, sorcery, and calling up the dead. That never changed. Of course, I have not read the Bible thoroughly from the beginning to the end, but if someone knows something then I would be more than happy to learn.
Still, the appearance of Samuel in 1 Samuel 28 was not God endorsing witchcraft, but God overriding the witch’s act in order to bring judgement. Which is why the woman herself screamed in shock when Samuel appeared. Even she did not expect it to actually work.
God may work in ways that surprise us, but He never breaks His own word. What He has purposed will stand, and His word remains consistent from beginning to end.
In view of all of that, I believe the real lesson for believers should never be to expect God to speak through forbidden channels. Rather, in seasons of silence we should hold fast in humility and patient faith like Job, who waited actively without turning aside. We should rest easy and walk with joy and confidence, knowing that come what may, when the time is right, nothing and no one can stop what God has purposed.
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