The entire interview was a fraud, based upon the superstitious, false belief that departed spirits may be called back to speak with the living. It is plainly taught in GOD'S revealed Truth that a return of the spirits of the dead to this world is impossible. All through the Bible the practice of witchcraft or sorcery is closely connected with spirits of evil, and is severely denounced by the LORD. There are a number of incidents recorded in which miraculous deeds of a certain kind are attributed to the servants of sa'tan. It is clearly said in the Scriptures that "sa'tan fashioneth himself into an angel of light," and certain forms of his works are said to be "with all power and signs and lying wonders." The story of Saul's visit to the witch of En'dor and of his conversation with the dead prophet must be understood in the light of the LORD'S plain teaching on this subject.
It is directly stated in connection with this story that "GOD answered Saul no more," and it was for this reason that he turnt to a sorceress for help. It is therefore obviously true that nothing which was said during the visit with the witch of En'dor came from GOD. It was sa'tan himself, or one of the evil spirits at his command, who led the witch to say what she did to Saul. All that was said was true, and all that was predicted came to pass, but sa'tan was merely taunting the man whose evil deeds had brought him wholly within his power. sa'tan ruins men, and then laughs at them in their misery.
For more than twenty-four hours Saul had been in such anguish of mind and spirit that he had not taken any food; in this weakened condition he was overcome by the shock of apparently receiving a message from the spirit of Sam'u-el, and suddenly fell to the ground. The witch was terrified by the thought that the king might be found dead or injured in her home, which would mean certain death for her. She therefore begged him to take some food in order to revive his weakened body. Saul refused at first, but was finally persuaded by the witch and his own servants to eat a full meal. Presently he rose up and went back to the camps of his soldiers while it was still night.
