◄ 1 Samuel 28:12 ►
But when the woman saw Samuel, she cried out in a loud voice and said to Saul, "Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!" Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 28:12? 2. How does 1 Samuel 28:12 illustrate the dangers of seeking forbidden spiritual practices? 3. What does Saul's fear reveal about his relationship with God in 1 Samuel 28:12? 4. How can we discern God's will without resorting to forbidden practices like Saul? 5. What scriptural connections warn against seeking guidance from mediums or spirits? 6. How can we apply the lessons from 1 Samuel 28:12 in our daily lives? 7. How could the witch of Endor summon Samuel if necromancy is condemned in the Bible? 8. Does 1 Samuel 28:12 suggest that spirits of the dead can communicate with the living? 9. Why did God allow Saul to consult a medium despite prohibitions against it? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 28? 11. If necromancy is condemned (Deut. 18:9–12), how can 1 Samuel 28:7–25 portray Saul successfully consulting a medium? 12. How does the narrative explain Samuel’s apparent reappearance if 1 Samuel 28:14–20 implies he was genuinely summoned from the dead? 13. Why would God, who had stopped answering Saul (1 Samuel 28:6), allow this forbidden method to convey His message? 14. How does 1 Samuel 13:1-2 reconcile with Acts 13:21, which states Saul reigned for forty years? Discussion Questions 1. What does Saul's decision to consult a medium reveal about his spiritual state and relationship with God? 2. How can we apply the warnings against necromancy and divination in our modern context, where similar practices may be disguised in different forms? 3. In what ways can we ensure that we seek God's guidance in times of desperation, rather than turning to ungodly sources? 4. How does Saul's account in 1 Samuel 28:12 connect with the broader biblical theme of obedience and the consequences of sin? 5. Reflect on a time when you faced a difficult decision. How did you seek God's guidance, and what can you learn from Saul's example to apply in future situations? 1 Samuel 28 Bible Study Questions 1. Why do you think God chose not to respond to Saul's pleas? 2. How does Saul's spiritual desperation reflect in his actions? Can you recall any moment in your life when you felt similar desperation? 3. What are the dangers of seeking spiritual guidance outside of God, as Saul did? 4. How does this chapter illustrate the consequences of disobedience to God's commands? 5. In what ways does the character of the Witch of Endor defy expectations? 6. How does the prophecy of Samuel highlight the sovereignty of God over life and death? 7. Saul was rejected by God for his disobedience. How can we ensure obedience in our lives to avoid such consequences? 8. How does Saul's fear manifest throughout the chapter? How does it affect his judgment? 9. How do you interpret the witch's act of kindness in feeding Saul and his servants? What does it teach about compassion? 10. How does the prophecy from Samuel affect Saul's morale and his mindset? What might this suggest about the power of words and prophecies? 11. If you were in Saul's position, what would you have done differently? 12. How might this chapter serve as a warning for believers in the present day? 13. In a contemporary context, what might be considered similar to Saul consulting the medium? 14. How should we handle moments when it seems like God isn't answering our prayers? 15. Discuss how this chapter presents human fear and uncertainty. How can we navigate through our fears in our spiritual journey? 16. How can one uphold their faith in situations where God seems silent? 17. In the modern world, we often face choices similar to Saul's. How can we ensure we make choices in line with God's will in our lives? 18. Discuss the role of prophets in biblical times using Samuel as an example. What can we learn from them today? 19. What lessons can we learn from Saul's downfall for our spiritual journey? 20. This chapter depicts the outcomes of spiritual desperation. How can we prevent ourselves from reaching a state of spiritual desperation? Links 1 Samuel 28:12 NIV 1 Samuel 28:12 NLT 1 Samuel 28:12 ESV 1 Samuel 28:12 NASB 1 Samuel 28:12 KJV 1 Samuel 28:12 Commentaries Bible Hub