Strange Passages: Saul, the Medium of Endor, and the Silence of God

Guest host: Wes Scott

Series: Strange Passages — Their Meaning and Applications

Primary text: 1 Samuel 28:1–19

When God is silent, Saul turns to the Medium of Endor. Explore 1 Samuel 28, the spiritual realm, and how Christians should seek God biblically.

In this “Strange Passages” episode, Wes Scott walks through 1 Samuel 28:1–19—the unsettling story where King Saul, unable to get an answer from Yahweh, seeks out a medium to call up Samuel. Wes connects the passage to real-life questions about dreams, grief, spiritual activity, and discernment—then lands the plane with practical Christian application: don’t follow Saul’s shortcut; seek God the way He has instructed.

What you’ll hear in this episode

A “weird stuff gets our attention” opener (featuring a chaotic kitten)
A personal story about grief, night terrors, and a comforting dream after Wes’s grandfather passed away
Why Saul’s fear + God’s silence becomes a turning point toward deeper disobedience
The biblical backdrop: dreams, Urim, prophets—and what Saul tried before consulting a medium
What happens when Samuel appears—and why the medium herself is shocked
Clear pastoral application: prayer + Scripture, not occult practices, for seeking guidance
A nuanced distinction between fantasy (Harry Potter, Star Wars, D&D) and real occult practice
The core claim: the spiritual realm is real—and Yahweh is in control

Passage walkthrough (1 Samuel 28:1–19) — key beats

War pressure: The Philistines gather; Saul is afraid.
God’s silence: Saul inquires of Yahweh but receives no answer—not by dreams, not by Urim, not by prophets.
A prohibited workaround: Saul disguises himself and goes to a medium (En-dor; Wes jokes about “Endor” and Star Wars).
Samuel appears: The medium sees a “divine being” coming up; Saul recognizes Samuel from the description.
The verdict: Samuel reiterates Yahweh’s judgment—Saul’s disobedience has consequences, and Saul and his sons will die.

Big takeaways (application)

1) Obedience matters—don’t compound disobedience with “spiritual shortcuts.”

Wes frames Saul’s choice as a pattern: instead of repentance, Saul “goes deeper” and seeks forbidden guidance. The Christian alternative is simple (and hard): obey Christ, and when we fail, repent.

2) Seek God the way God prescribes: Scripture and prayer.

This episode repeatedly contrasts biblical communion with God versus attempts to manipulate spiritual access (mediums, tarot, sorcery, etc.).

3) Fantasy isn’t the same as occult practice.

Wes draws a line between imaginative stories/games and actually engaging in real-world occult attempts to contact the spiritual realm.

4) The spiritual realm is real—but Yahweh is sovereign over it.

The passage is treated as a “glimmer” into spiritual reality, while still emphasizing God’s authority and the believer’s security in Christ.

Quick Answers

Did Saul really speak to Samuel in 1 Samuel 28?

In this episode’s reading, Samuel truly appears, and the medium’s surprise suggests it wasn’t simply “her power”—Yahweh remains in control of the encounter.

Why didn’t God answer Saul?

The episode ties God’s silence to Saul’s established pattern of disobedience and rejection of Yahweh’s instruction.

What are the Urim and Thummim?

Wes describes the Urim (usually paired with Thummim) as part of the high priest’s garments, associated with discerning God’s will/authority of the priesthood, and notes its connection to priestly legitimacy in Ezra/Nehemiah.

Is it sinful for Christians to use psychics, mediums, tarot cards, or witchcraft?

The episode’s answer is straightforward: these are presented as forbidden substitutes for seeking God and are not the way Yahweh instructs His people to pursue guidance.

Is the spiritual realm real, according to the Bible?

Yes—Wes points to biblical examples (angels/demons, “watchers,” spiritual conflict language) and argues Christians can’t dismiss it if they affirm Scripture.

Discussion questions

Where are you tempted to look for “guidance” when God feels silent?
What would repentance look like in the exact place you want a shortcut?
How can you build a steadier rhythm of prayer + Scripture so crisis doesn’t define your spiritual life?
Where do you personally draw the line between fantasy entertainment and real spiritual compromise—and why?

Resources mentioned

Supernatural — Dr. Michael S. Heiser (recommended for learning more about the Bible’s spiritual worldview)