Title
The Tale of a King
Scripture
So his servants, together with the woman, urged him; and he heeded their voice.
(1 Samuel 28:23)
Devotional
Saul had hit the rock bottom of rebellion against God. He violated his own decree by going to the medium of En Dor. Necromancy violated the laws of Moses. Nevertheless, Saul in his wicked desperation turned to witchcraft instead of the Lord. Our text shows how easily swayed he became, following the counsel of his servants and a witch. Here is where rebellion against God leads. Never forget: sin will take you further than you want to go, keep you longer than you wish to stay and cost you more than you are willing to pay. Saul, Israel’s first king, regresses to following the leadership of his servants and taking counsel from a fortuneteller. There are signs that follow rebellion. With Saul the first was jealousy, followed by outbursts of anger, rashness and eventually death. I love to study the progression of King David, but I also need to study the regression of King Saul.
Text For The Day
1 Samuel 28:23: So his servants, together with the woman, urged him; and he heeded their voice.
Thought For The Day
“When a man thinks he has got a good deal of strength, and is self-confident, you may look for his downfall. It may be years before it comes to light, but it is already commenced.” D.L. Moody
Questions To Ponder
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What was the beginning of Saul’s downfall? Consider 1 Samuel 15:28.
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What were the signs of Saul’s demise? Consider 1 Samuel 18:7-8.
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If we find ourselves in this kind of downward spiral, what can we do to turn it around?
Morning Study Guide
Defining: “Those that expect any good counsel or comfort, otherwise than from God, and in the way of his institutions, will be as wretchedly disappointed…” Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Bible.
Referencing: There shall not be found among you anyone… practices witchcraft, or a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer, or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the Lord,” Deuteronomy 18:10-12.
Applying: Horoscopes, fortunetellers and the like are an abomination to the Lord; avoid them. They are not innocent games with which to be toyed.