QT 26 Aug 16, 1 Sam 28:20-25, Who are we listening to?

1 Samuel 28:20–25 (ESV) — 20 Then Saul fell at once full length on the ground, filled with fear because of the words of Samuel. And there was no strength in him, for he had eaten nothing all day and all night. 21 And the woman came to Saul, and when she saw that he was terrified, she said to him, “Behold, your servant has obeyed you. I have taken my life in my hand and have listened to what you have said to me. 22 Now therefore, you also obey your servant. Let me set a morsel of bread before you; and eat, that you may have strength when you go on your way.” 23 He refused and said, “I will not eat.” But his servants, together with the woman, urged him, and he listened to their words. So he arose from the earth and sat on the bed. 24 Now the woman had a fattened calf in the house, and she quickly killed it, and she took flour and kneaded it and baked unleavened bread of it, 25 and she put it before Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they rose and went away that night.

NOTE: This is one of those sections that seems innocuous and you start to wonder why it is even there. But on further reflection it is there because it is extremely important. Saul's problems and the lack of a covenantal relationship came to a head when he could not wait upon Samuel, but started the sacrifice without him. He should have waited but he couldn't. He was afraid of losing men from his dwindling army. Here, he initially refused the women's request to share a meal, but upon the urging of his servants and the medium, he agrees. The woman kills (sacrifices) a calf for him and they share a meal. In other words, he participates in a covenant meal with a medium whereas his problems started when he did not participate in a covenant meal correctly with God. His priorities have been wrong from the start and his relationship with God has always been weak. Saul listens to the wrong people. He does not obey Samuel, but he does obey the medium. We have to ask ourselves two questions. One, who are we listening to? And two, who do we obey?