Ghosted by God?
As I finished 1 Samuel, I found myself spending extra time on Saul's visit to the medium at Endor. The whole situation feels heavy. Saul is alone, afraid, and unsure where to turn. The Philistines are gathering for war, and he’s desperate for direction. He tries to consult God through the usual methods—dreams, priests, prophets—but there’s no answer.
Radio Silence
The silence itself becomes the most noticeable part of the story. For someone like Saul, who had the title of king and once had clear guidance through the prophet Samuel, this lack of response stands out. What happens when there’s nothing left to guide you, but you still have to act? That question feels especially real in this chapter.
Breaking His Own Rules
Saul ends up breaking his own rule and seeks out a medium, someone he had previously outlawed. It seems like he’s trying to regain control, or at least get some kind of feedback in a situation where nothing makes sense. There’s no attempt to hide what he’s doing—he’s open about his desperation. And when the spirit of Samuel appears, the message isn’t comforting. Samuel simply confirms what Saul already feared: the kingdom is being given to someone else, and death is close.
Disconnected All Along?
Some readings of this story focus on punishment, as if Saul is getting what he deserves. That might be part of the bigger narrative, but in this moment, it also just feels like someone who’s deeply lost. Maybe this silence isn’t only a reaction to Saul’s past decisions, but also a reflection of how distant his connection has been all along. Unlike David, who regularly seeks out and responds to divine direction, Saul seems to treat communication with God more like a tool than a relationship.
No Answers, Just Questions
That raises more questions than answers. Was Saul ever really connected in the first place? Or was he always operating at a distance, hoping for outcomes without the process that leads to understanding? And if that’s the case, what does it mean for people today who feel like they’re doing the right things but still feel cut off from clarity or purpose?
When the Line Goes Dead
There’s not much resolution here. Saul doesn’t protest or ask for a second opinion. He hears what Samuel says and seems to accept it. The story moves on quickly, but it leaves a quiet kind of weight behind. There’s no dramatic gesture, no redemption arc—just a man facing the consequences of a long, slow unraveling.
This chapter doesn’t offer easy takeaways. But it does leave space to consider what we do when we don’t get answers, and how we respond when the usual paths to direction no longer seem to work. Not everything has a clear resolution. Sometimes, like Saul, people are left sitting with silence and uncertainty, trying to figure out what to do next.