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King Saul and New Age Mediumship
The account of Saul’s visit to the medium of Endor in 1 Samuel 28 is a sober warning about seeking forbidden spiritual knowledge. King Saul knew that necromancy was condemned by God, and as king he’d made necromancy illegal in Israel. Yet Saul disobeyed God, as well as hypocritically disobeying his own law against speaking to spirits.
Theologians debate about whether God temporarily allowed the deceased Prophet Samuel to communicate with Saul, or whether it was the Medium of Endor’s demonic vision. Either way, the story reveals the futility and danger of turning to mediums.
The Bible is clear that God doesn’t contradict Himself and He forbids mediums, necromancers, and seeking the dead (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). The prophet Isaiah rebuked those who turned to mediums, asking, “Should they inquire of the dead on behalf of the living?” (Isaiah 8:19). Whether the figure was truly Samuel or a demonic deception, the act itself was rebellion. Saul’s downfall was caused by his own disobedience, not upon whether Samuel really appeared.
On the eve of battle, King Saul sought guidance from the Lord, but God didn’t answer by dreams, by Urim & Thummim, nor by prophets (1 Samuel 28:6). In desperation, Saul disguised himself and went to a medium at Endor, even though he’d previously outlawed such practices in Israel. He begged her to bring up the spirit of Samuel.
When the woman claimed to see “a god coming up out of the earth” and described an old man wrapped in a robe, Saul decided that she was describing Samuel (1 Samuel 28:13-14). Saul himself didn’t see the figure, so he relied upon the woman’s description. This is the usual routine of mediums relaying their visions and impressions to their clients. The woman delivered a message that the kingdom would be torn from Saul, and that the next day he and his sons would die.
Here are the two theological views about the apparition that the witch of Endor saw:
View 1: God Allowed Samuel to Appear
Some Bible commentators argue that this was an extraordinary, sovereign act of God. They claim that the spirit of Samuel actually appeared by God’s will, to deliver one final message of judgment. Supporters of this view note the accuracy of the prophecy that Saul would die the next day, to suggest divine authority. They argue that God overruled the medium’s attempt, using the occasion to confirm His judgment. In addition, the verses in 1 Samuel 28:15-20 are attributed to Samuel as in “Samuel said.”
View 2: A Demonic Deception or Vision
Other theologians hold the view that God wouldn’t contradict His own commands by working through a medium. Mediums see visions of spirits that are invisible to others. The witch of Endor alone saw an apparition, which Saul identified as Samuel based upon her description. In the Transfiguration, in contrast, everyone present saw Moses and Elijah.
So, in this theological view, the spirit was a demonic impersonation, consistent with the New Testament teaching that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). The so-called prophecy may have been nothing more than the culmination of Saul’s known trajectory of judgment.
Parallels with New Age Channeling
The New Age fascination with channeling, spirit guides, and “downloads” reflects the same deception that Saul pursued. Mediums today claim to contact angels, ascended masters, or deceased loved ones, delivering messages that deny the Gospel and teach self-divinity. Like the witch at Endor, they speak of visions, apparitions, and voices. Whether these experiences are fabricated, psychological, or demonic, they all lead away from God’s Word.
Just as Saul’s desperation drove him to Endor, people today often turn to mediums when they want answers, comfort, or assurance. Tragically, they receive demonic deception instead and Scripture warns that such practices are abominations to God.
The fascination with contacting spirits has never faded. In the modern New Age, necromancy has been rebranded as channeling, spirit communication, or “receiving downloads.” Mediums claim to contact ascended masters, angels, or deceased loved ones, offering comfort or guidance. Some describe it as connecting to a “higher self” or “universal consciousness.”
Though the terminology differs, the practice is the same as Saul’s: bypassing God to seek hidden knowledge from forbidden sources. Just as the witch at Endor mediated spirit communication, today’s channelers claim to mediate voices from beyond. In both cases, the danger is deception and judgment.
Channeling often produces messages that sound spiritual, even compassionate, but they contradict the Gospel. Spirits deny Christ’s deity, minimize sin, discourage people from reading the Bible, and promote following your heart. This is precisely why the Bible exhorts us to test the spirits to see whether or not they confess Jesus biblically (1 John 4:1-3). The parallels between Endor and modern New Age circles remind us that the enemy’s methods haven’t changed.
Saul’s choice was driven by fear and despair. He felt abandoned, silenced, and cornered. This desperation mirrors why many turn to the New Age today. When prayers feel unanswered, when life spirals out of control, people grasp at anything that promises clarity or comfort. Instead of waiting on the Lord, they turn to tarot cards, astrologers, or mediums. Like Saul, they trade patience and trust for immediate but deadly counterfeit answers.
This underscores that Christians must be patient and wait upon the Lord’s timing. Silence doesn’t mean absence. God had already spoken to Saul clearly, but Saul wanted new guidance on his own terms. Similarly, God has spoken clearly in our sufficient, inerrant, God-breathed Bible. When people demand mystical experiences or secret messages instead, they reveal the same impatience and rebellious craving for a new message that aligns with their desires.
Whether one interprets 1 Samuel 28 as God permitting Samuel to appear or as a demonic deception, the lesson is the same: mediumship is condemned and spiritually deadly. Saul’s downfall came because he sought the dead rather than trusting God.
The account of Endor warns us that seeking spiritual voices apart from God’s Word leads to destruction. Saul’s downfall illustrates the truth of Romans 1:21-25 that rebelling against God is exchanging truth for lies. The New Age promise of comfort from channeling spirit guides is no different than Saul’s illusion of guidance that ended in despair.
As the prophet Isaiah declared, “To the teaching and to the testimony! If they will not speak according to this word, it is because they have no dawn” (Isaiah 8:20). In Christ, we don’t need psychics, mediums, or channelers. We have a risen Savior who is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). Unlike Saul, who sought the dead in his despair, we turn to the Lord, who conquered death and speaks to us through His Word.
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