Dale Ralph Davis, a PCA man, has insightful words on 1 Samuel 28
Davis notes how the story in 1 Samuel 27 up to 28:2 gives all the muscle to David and his entanglement with King Achish of Gath. Specifically, Davis notes that there's an interruption of the story---we would like to go on into chapter 29 to finish with David; but now, here, it abruptly moves to Saul's coming interplay with the medium of Endor.
What's the target-point at which Davis is aiming?
He says the writer leaves us hanging about David. We've been primed to read through to the end of David's situation, but no. It's whiplash reading.
What happened to David being Achish's bodyguard and so on?
There's something more important. David had his entanglements; Saul has his excommunication. Heaven is silent. God's voice has been removed. God's silence and the coming judgment for Saul are vital for Israel's discipleship, and ours.
Verse 3 Samuel is dead.
Verses 7-8 Saul readies to inquire of the medium.
Verses 15-19 When Samuel does speak to Saul it's the rehash of his disobedience and the consequences. There's no revelation nor guidance for Saul, only confrontation.
It's an Alaska-Canadian Highway black night for Saul; so, so dark.
Davis parks it over the left field fence: it's one thing to be in a complicated trial with your enemies (David in chapter 27); it's altogether miles different to be without God, without hope in this world and the next.
G. Mark Sumpter
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