He inquired of the Lord, but the Lord did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets. Saul then said to his attendants, "Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her." 1 Samuel 28:6-7
Left to our own devices, we can easily become like the very ones we despise.
Saul had expelled the mediums and spiritists from the land. This was a good thing. A nation committed to the One True God would trust in Him, not the words of the dead. But when the going got tough - when God was silent - to whom did Saul turn? The very ones he had expelled became his source of hope.
It is interesting that Saul's men, men who obviously knew about Saul's expulsion of the mediums and spiritists, could so easily take him to one. If they had truly been committed to Saul, wouldn't they have ensured she was run out a long time ago?
It is also interesting to me that Saul called up the spirit of Samuel. Did he seriously think Samuel would say something he wanted to hear? The last time they had seen each other, Samuel's words were quite harsh. Did Saul think Samuel would be so excited to see him that he would joyfully proclaim, "It's wonderful to see you! Don't worry. The battle will end just like you want!"
Regardless of how Saul and Samuel had parted, Samuel had always been a source of strength when Saul was troubled. We always seem to be drawn to what once brought us hope long after we have lost it. What Saul needed was a word from the living God, yet he sought out the words of the dead. Saul had become like what he despised.
Lord, sometimes turning to the old ways of dealing with life is the simplest path to take. Somehow it seems comfortable - even if we know in our hearts that we will not like the end result. Help me too seek only You, for we become like what we seek. I want to be strong rather than weak, courageous rather than frightened, pure rather than impure. I want to be like You.
May You be glorified today. Help me to turn from the old ways.