The Bible In Paintings, #108: FEARFUL SAUL CONSULTS A WITCH

Bing Images ^ | c. 2200 BC -- c. 95 AD | by the Father, Son & Holy Spirit

[Hebrews 11:6]

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FEARFUL SAUL
CONSULTS A WITCH

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1^st. . S A M U E L . . 2 8
New International Version, emphases added
Abrdgd – the complete text is in your Bible
OR
TO READ 1^ST SAMUEL 28 IN FULL, Click Here
TO HEAR MAX McLEAN READING IT, Click Here
TO HEAR A DRAMATIZATION OF IT, Click Here
TO WATCH AN OVERVIEW OF 1^ST SAMUEL , Click Here

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1 0 1 0 . . B. C.

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3 Now Samuel was dead, and Saul had expelled the mediums and spiritists from the land.

4 The Philistines set up camp at Shunem, while Saul gathered all Israel and set up camp at Gilboa. 5 When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid; terror filled his heart. 6 He inquired of the Lord, but the Lord did not answer him. 7 Saul then said to his attendants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her.”

“There is one in Endor,” they said.

8 So Saul disguised himself, putting on other clothes, and at night he and two men went to the woman. “Consult a spirit for me,” he said, “and bring up for me the one I name.”

9 But the woman said to him, “Surely you know what Saul has done. He has cut off the mediums and spiritists from the land. Why have you set a trap for my life to bring about my death?”

10 Saul swore to her by the Lord, “As surely as the Lord lives, you will not be punished for this.”

11 “Bring up Samuel,” he said.

12 When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out at the top of her voice and said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!”

13 The king said to her, “Don’t be afraid. What do you see?”

The woman said, “I see a ghostly figure coming up out of the earth. 14 An old man wearing a robe is coming up,” she said.

Then Saul knew it was Samuel, and he bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground.

15 Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?”

“I am in great distress,” Saul said. “The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has departed from me. He no longer answers me. So I have called on you to tell me what to do.”

16 Samuel said, “Why do you consult me, now that the Lord has departed from you and become your enemy? 17 The Lord has done what he predicted through me. The Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hands and given it to one of your neighbors—to David. 18 Because you did not obey the Lord or carry out his fierce wrath against the Amalekites, the Lord has done this to you today. 19 The Lord will deliver both Israel and you into the hands of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The Lord will also give the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines.”

20 Immediately Saul fell full length on the ground, filled with fear because of Samuel’s words.

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1
by GUSTAV DORÉ
“Saul and the Witch of Endor”

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2
by BENJAMIN WEST
“Saul and the Witch of Endor”

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3

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4
by EDWARD HENRY CORBOULD
“Saul and the Witch of Endor”

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5
by SALVATOR ROSA
“Saul and the Witch of Endor”

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6

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7
by JULIUS SCHNORR VON CAROLSFELD

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8
by BERNARDO CAVALLINO
“The Shade of Samuel Invoked by Saul ”

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9
by WILLIAM SIDNEY MOUNT
“Saul and the Witch of Endor”

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10
by ANDREY YEFIMOVICH MARTYNOV
“Witch of Endor”

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11
by NICOLAI GEY
“The Witch of Endor”

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12
by MATTHIAS STOMER
“The Witch of Endor”

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13
“Saul Consulting the Spirit of Samuel”

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14
by GERARD HOET
“Saul with the Witch of Endor”

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15
by KUNZ MEYER WALDECK
“The Witch of Endor”

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16
by JANUARIUS ZICK
“Saul and the Witch of Endor”

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17

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18
by JOHN HENRI FUSELI
“Samuel Appearing to Saul in the Presence of the Witch of Endor”

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19
by WILLIAM BLAKE
“The Witch of Endor Raising the Spirit of Samuel”

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20
by JAMES TISSOT
“Saul and the Witch of Endor”

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21
by WASHINGTON ALLSTON
“Saul and the Witch of Endor”

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22
by J. MYNDE
“Saul Consults the Witch of Endor”

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23
“Saul Consults the Witch of Endor”

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24

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25
by NICOLAUS WOLFF
“Saul Consults the Witch of Endor”

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26
by ALESSANDRO MAGNASCO
“Witch of Endor”

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֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎

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SNEAK PEEK: Next time,

SAUL’S DEATH,
AS PREDICTED

If you're sensing the Holy Spirit is suggesting
that you read ahead, we'll be in 1^st SAMUEL 31

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֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎
֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎ ֎

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R E S O U R C E S

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If you'd like to see for yourself the Bing page
which yielded most of the works above, here is the link:

Saul Consults a Witch

Where no attribution appears below a work,
the artist's name is unknown
Works are numbered to facilitate your commenting

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Links to three masters who painted Biblical scenes prolifically:

REMBRANDT HARMENSZOON van RIJN

GUSTAV DORÉ
241 wood engravings for
La Grande Bible de Tours

JAMES TISSOT
180 watercolors depicting Bible scenes

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Links to two Bibles with comprehensive illustrations:

The Art Bible (1896)

The Maciejowski-Morgan Bible (c.1245)

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This series keeps moving from one Bible passage to another,
so here is a fascinating and enjoyable link to assist in following along:
BIBLE TIMELINE

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Finally, here are links to the
PREVIOUS 107 POSTS IN THIS SERIES
with descriptive titles to assist you in finding those which interest you

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SPECIAL THANKS
to FReeper left that other site,
who allowed God to make her His conduit
for incomparable enthusiasm, encouragement,
education, advice and technical assistance!

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NOTES ON MY SELECTION CRITERIA

Q u a l i t y The Bible and its Author are my focus, not the art:
this is The Bible in Paintings, not “Great Paintings” nor even “Good Paintings.” So, works need not be masterpieces to qualify for inclusion here—they don’t need to be housed at the Louvre nor auctioned by Sotheby’s. They only need to illustrate successfully some aspect of the Biblical text or, frankly, just tickle my fancy, which I'm asking the Holy Spirit to guide. Often, artists misrepresent the Scripture, but unless the error is material, licentious or heretical I usually include the artwork, trusting that the Spirit is perfectly capable of defending Himself. So, with such forgiving filters, it means that you're seeing practically everything I'm finding.

P a c i n gThe pace may seem glacial to those eager to see their favorite events. My commission is to search for art on each Bible passage in sequence; if I find enough, then it becomes the next installment, even if undramatic. But where there is no art, that Bible passage goes untold here. The Bible is a thick book, as you know; but we'll get there eventually, Lord willing. Always remember:
love, joy, peace, patience kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control is a fruit of the Spirit!

Art is merely the Toy Department of Bible study,
so I’m just having fun here—I hope you are, too!
Thank you for your understanding.

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YES, WE DO HAVE A

P I N G… .L I S T

for "The Bible In Paintings" series

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To be alerted to each new posting,
either reply here or FRmail me.

No contracts, startup charges or monthly fees;
no hazing or initiation rituals; cancel anytime.

[Hebrews 11:6]

At the Holy Spirit's prompting, I am surveying "Bible art" to give God glory, as many of these artists have done, and for my own amusement and learning; and I thought others might enjoy it and be blessed by it, too. My plan is to proceed methodically from left-to right, Genesis to Revelation, as the Lord wills. Back soon with another.

The Bible encourages us to meditate on it (Ps. 1:1-3, 119:11-16, etc.); these artists have done so, and their works can assist us and enrich our own thoughts about biblical characters, incidents and concepts, and increase our faith in He who is behind it all. As you encounter and consider these images and the related Scriptures and the Spirit enlightens your understanding, please share it with us!

But it is not only oil-on-canvas that can so help us; I refer to the astonishing video series The Chosen, which strolls through the four Gospels at the most leisurely pace. The eight episodes of Season 1 are finished, and the second of a planned seven seasons is coming soon. I say "leisurely" because after an entire year’s viewing Jesus still has only seven of the apostles (although He's preparing to call up Thomas from the minor leagues--but Thomas is skeptical, of course). Anticipating a canvas of fifty-plus hours instead of a movie's paltry two hours, The Chosen turns the characters (especially including Jesus!) into three-dimensional humans and brings the Gospels alive--you have never seen anything even remotely like it! Here is the Official Trailer.

Here is a link for free viewing of The Chosen: “Works with your phone, tablet, and you can cast to your Roku or Chromecast.” Last fall I paid $34.98 for DVDs and ongoing internet access—best 35 bucks I’ve ever spent (I don’t recall how much our marriage license cost, but then it was 43 years ago).

[Hebrews 11:6]

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F o r . . y o u r

CONSIDERATION

ENJOYMENT

& BLESSING

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[Red Badger]

The Witch Endorra......................

[golux]

Thank you! Please add me to your ping-list. Here's mine!

[spankalib]

Interesting... the NIV says that Saul knew it was Samuel, and the KJV says that Saul perceived it was Samuel.

A subtil difference...

[Hebrews 11:6]

Quite a shot: (L-R) current House Speaker, House Minority Leader, Senate Majority Leader, two Presidents. Trump's Inauguration?

Anyway, I'm happy to add you, golux! Please note that this is not actually a daily series—I can only manage five or six posts weekly—so don’t take it amiss when a day goes by with no ping.

Dan

[Hebrews 11:6]

Demons have the demonstrated capability of pretending convincingly to be anyone. Saul knew/perceived/supposed/presumed/expected/hoped this was Samuel, but I’ve always been skeptical, particularly considering the scarcity of similar events recorded in Scripture.

[left that other site]

Demons have the demonstrated capability of pretending convincingly to be anyone. Saul knew/perceived/supposed/presumed/expected/hoped this was Samuel, but I’ve always been skeptical, particularly considering the scarcity of similar events recorded in Scripture.

I agree.

[golux]

Thank you, Dan! I have no expectations.

[Hebrews 11:6]

Offhand, I recall only these other manifestations from beyond the grave:

* Jesus' resurrection, of course--absolutely one-of-a-kind

* Moses and Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration, which may have been commonplace to Jesus but which the apostles saw on this single occasion (although Elijah had not actually died and, as I have argued elsewhere, neither had Moses)

* various people raised from the dead, but this is different-in-kind, because they quickly returned fully to life without their spirits being consulted in the meantime

* Moses in Jesus' parable about Lazarus and the unmerciful rich man; but context suggests this parable was plainly His invention and not a report

[Hebrews 11:6]

Of course, Abraham was the responder consulted in the parable, not Moses.

[Forgiven_Sinner]

“Demons have the demonstrated capability of pretending convincingly to be anyone. Saul knew/perceived/supposed/presumed/expected/hoped this was Samuel, but I’ve always been skeptical, particularly considering the scarcity of similar events recorded in Scripture.”

Yes, especially considering the way the scripture is worded:

12 When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out at the top of her voice and said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!”

13 The king said to her, “Don’t be afraid. What do you see?”

The woman said, “I see a ghostly figure coming up out of the earth. 14 An old man wearing a robe is coming up,” she said.

Then Saul knew it was Samuel, and he bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground.

Saul didn’t see the spirit—the woman did. The woman supernaturally knew he was Saul—showing the influence of the spirit in question.

What is the state of saints in the Old Testament after their deaths? Let’s look at Daniel:

Daniel 12:13 “As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.”

What does Hebrews 11 say?

32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, 33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. 36 Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37 They were put to death by stoning;[e] they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.

39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, 40 since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

So Samuel hasn’t yet received the promise. He was likely resting like Daniel and like the saints in Revelation 6:

9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. 10 They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” 11 Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters,[e] were killed just as they had been.

So that’s one argument for it not being Samuel. Here’s another:

1 Samuel 28:1 Saul had expelled the mediums and spiritists from the land.
7 Saul then said to his attendants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her.”

“There is one in Endor,” they said.

So we know for sure the woman had a familiar spirit with whom she could communicate. What’s to stop this spirit from lying? Wicked spirits are expelled from heaven; how could it bring Samuel’s spirit from heaven? It lacks the power and authority to do so.

But it could lie and tell what it knew about God’s plans—that Saul would die the next day.

[Hebrews 11:6]

Well and beautifully argued—thanks for your excellent contribution. The exact nature of the current “rest” of deceased saints, I think, none still earth-bound can know, other than to observe that their future prospects appear quite substantially more promising, after this little World Serious eventually ends and the Scorekeeper announces from His white throne everyone’s final score, and destination.

[spankalib]

I think Moses did die, and was 'taken' before his body corrupted. His appearance at Transfiguration symbolized these people:

1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first

Elijah's appearance symbolized these:

1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

I hope these words are comforting :)

[Hebrews 11:6]

Well, whether they're comforting depends on their veracity.

Your theory that Moses died but then was taken bodily to heaven is new to me and seems possible. In my view the text describing his death and the immediate discussion of the whereabouts of his grave seem strongly to imply something very unusual about his death: either it was a "tongue-in-cheek" burial (no death, but instead translation to heaven, as was God's prerogative), or else as you suggest. I still lean toward the former, because Elijah and Moses are such excellent candidates to be the Two Witnesses who die in Revelation--they can't really have died previously. Of course, there's always the double-play combination of Elijah and Enoch....

As to why E and M were on the Mount. Most commentaries have suggested Moses was representing the Law and Elijah the Prophets. Again, yours is a novel idea to me, and you may be right. The context, I think, favors your view (presuming to argue for it here, since you did not): here are two long-gone spiritual and scriptural giants having reappeared, risen, out-of-the-blue to join Christ on the summit, much as the dead and living will also join Christ. (Technically, Elijah is alive but did not actually "remain," but that seems immaterial.)

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.