Bewitched at En Dor: Saul's Sin Comes Back to Haunt Him

• CONGREGATIONAL READING: 1 Samuel 28:1-25 *

I. EXPOSITION FOR OUR UNDERSTANDING

Brief Exposition & Insights for Our Chapter

1. Philistines Plan War With Israel, 1 Sam 28:1-2
2. Profitless Saul, Due to Death of Prophet Samuel, 1 Sam 28:3-4
3. Prompts Saul to Find Witch to Conjure the Dead, 1 Sam 28:5-25
   a. The king disguises himself, vv5-11
   b. The witch discovers Saul, vv12-14
   c. The prophet discloses Saul's sin, vv15-19
   d. The sinner's dreadful despair, vv20-25

II. EXHORTATION FOR OUR APPLICATION, 1 Sam 28:18

Saul's Rebellious Act of Worship

1. Self-exalted worship, 1 Sam 13:9-12
2. Sinful disobedience, 1 Sam 15:9, 23-26

Saul's Relentless Reign of Terror

1. Envious heart, 1 Sam 18:8 (defies prophecy)
2. Extreme hatred, 1 Sam 22:16 (defies priesthood)
3. Enraged hypocrisy, 1 Sam 23:8 (defies kingdom)

Saul's Ruinous Attempt to Hear from God

1. No revelation, 1 Sam 28:6
2. No restraint, Prov 29:18; Ex 32:25

Sinner's Responsible Application of the Lessons Learned

1. Significance of revelation, Prov 29:18a
2. Source & substance of revelation, Rev 19:10
3. Sanctifying power of revelation, Prov 29:18b