Bible Commentaries

1 Chronicles 10:13

I. Observe, first, that Saul, who here had recourse to witchcraft, had before taken vigorous measures for exterminating witchcraft; and it was at once a proof that he was far gone in iniquity and an evidence that his ruin came on apace when he could thus become the patron of a sin of which he had once been the opponent. There is no greater moral peril than that which surrounds an individual who, after he has given up a sinful practice, again betakes himself to it.

II. Observe that it was not until Saul had consulted God, and God had refused to answer him by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets, that he took the fatal resolve of applying to the necromancer. Men are apt to forget, when roused to anxiety as to the soul, how long they have made God wait for them and how justly therefore they might expect that the peace and happiness of the Gospel will not be imparted at the first moment they are sought; and then there is great danger of their being quickly wearied and turning to other and worthless sources of comfort.

III. There is something very touching in the fact that it was Samuel whom Saul desired the witch to call up. Samuel had boldly reproved Saul, and, as it would appear, offended him by his faithfulness. And yet Saul said, "Bring up Samuel." How many who have despised the advice of a father or a mother, and grieved their parents by opposition and disobedience, long bitterly to bring them back when they have gone down to the grave, that they may have the benefit of the counsel which they once slighted and scorned.

H. Melvill, Penny Pulpit, No. 1884.

References: 1 Chronicles 11:7-9.—J. M. Neale, Occasional Sermons, p. 59. 1 Chronicles 11:15, 1 Chronicles 11:19.—D. R. Evans, Christian World Pulpit, vol. xxvi., p. 393.