Aleteia logoAleteia logoAleteia
Thursday 28 March |
Holy Thursday of the Supper of the Lord
Aleteia logo
Spirituality
separateurCreated with Sketch.

Who is the Witch of Endor in the Bible?

WITCHES

Hans Splinter-(CC BY-ND 2.0)

Philip Kosloski - published on 10/14/22

In the Old Testament, King Saul consults a witch when he wants to talk to the prophet Samuel after he has died.

Please consider a gift for Aleteia!
Help us spread the joy of Christ's victory.
Aleteia depends on your support.

Join our Lenten Campaign 2024.

DONATE NOW

Throughout the Bible there is frequent condemnation of witchcraft — usually referring to divination or calling up the souls of the dead — as it is an activity that opposes God and may include the worship of demonic spirits.

In the Old Testament, King Saul falls into despair after seeing the strength of the Philistine army and feels helpless. He wants God to speak to him, but God is silent.

Not satisfied with God’s silence, he takes matters into his own hands and summons the Witch of Endor.

When Saul saw the Philistine camp, he grew afraid and lost heart completely. He consulted the Lord; but the Lord gave no answer, neither in dreams nor by Urim nor through prophets. Then Saul said to his servants, “Find me a medium through whom I can seek counsel.” His servants answered him, “There is a woman in Endor who is a medium.”

1 Samuel 28:5-7

Saul instructs the witch to “Conjure up Samuel for me,” as the prophet Samuel had recently died.

God allows this to happen, but it does not bode well for Saul. Samuel proclaims that, “the Lord will deliver Israel, and you as well, into the hands of the Philistines. By tomorrow you and your sons will be with me, and the Lord will have delivered the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines” (1 Samuel 28:19).

Later Saul’s consultation of the witch would be recalled as part of the events that led to his death.

So Saul died for his unfaithfulness; he was unfaithful to the Lord in that he did not keep the command of the Lord, and also consulted a medium, seeking guidance, and did not seek guidance from the Lord. Therefore the Lord slew him, and turned the kingdom over to David the son of Jesse.

1 Chronicles 10:13-14

The Church has always condemned witchcraft, as it involves a distrust in God, seeking guidance or power from demonic powers, instead of trusting in the providence of God.

Tags:
BibleHalloween
Support Aleteia!

Enjoying your time on Aleteia?

Articles like these are sponsored free for every Catholic through the support of generous readers just like you.

Thanks to their partnership in our mission, we reach more than 20 million unique users per month!

Help us continue to bring the Gospel to people everywhere through uplifting and transformative Catholic news, stories, spirituality, and more.

Support Aleteia with a gift today!

jour1_V2.gif
Daily prayer
And today we celebrate...




Top 10
See More
Newsletter
Get Aleteia delivered to your inbox. Subscribe here.