The spirits of the seers and the spirit of the prophet Samuel
Pope Shenouda III discusses the story of the medium at Endor and the appearance of a spirit attributed to the Prophet Samuel to Saul, as recorded in the First Book of Samuel, chapter 28. He emphasizes that the Bible gave clear and firm commandments forbidding communication with spirits, mediums, and consulting the dead, and regarded these practices as abominations and defilement. He points out that Saul himself had previously removed mediums and spiritists from the land, and then later sought out a woman who had a spirit when the Lord no longer answered him.
Spiritual Message
Pope Shenouda explains that Saul had been rejected by God and his relationship with Him had been cut off; the Spirit of the Lord had departed from him, and the Lord no longer answered him through prophets, dreams, or the other means that had been used. Therefore, the fundamental question in the story must be examined: was the one who appeared to Saul truly the Prophet Samuel, or was it another spirit resembling him? He emphasizes the necessity of not believing every spirit, but testing the spirits to determine whether they are from God. He also points out that evil spirits can take different forms and may perform signs and wonders or present things that appear to be true; therefore, the fulfillment of a prophecy or the occurrence of a miracle is not, by itself, sufficient evidence that its source is God.
Educational Lesson
Pope Shenouda presents several points that call for careful examination of the story, including the fact that the woman did not say that the one who appeared was Samuel, and that the spirit did not identify himself as Samuel sent by God. He also draws attention to the statement made by the spirit to Saul: “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up,” and considers this statement an important question concerning the source of the appearance. He also points out that the message given to Saul did not add a new warning, but repeated matters that Samuel had already announced to him, including the tearing of the kingdom from him and its being given to David. Pope Shenouda uses the biblical teaching about testing prophets, dreams, and signs to explain that a person may be tested through a powerful personality, convincing teaching, or even a sign that appears genuine, while the standard is remaining faithful to God rather than following the sign alone.
Practical Spiritual Application
The practical lesson is that a person should not turn to spirits, mediums, or consulting the dead under any circumstances, because these practices are rejected according to the divine commandment. A person should also not judge the truth merely by whether something supernatural happens or a prophecy comes true, but should test every teaching and every spirit in the light of God’s Word. The story also calls for humility and caution and for avoiding reliance on strange means to know the future, because the future is in God’s hands. The teaching concludes that the story of Samuel’s appearance through the medium is not an established, self-evident matter on which a theological truth can be built; rather, it is a difficult question surrounded by significant objections, and therefore it should be approached with examination and spiritual discernment.
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