- 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