Day 155: 1 Samuel 25-28 | Read The Bible In A Year | Bible Study with Commentary by Dr. Manny Arango

Saul is spiraling—and the Bible doesn’t hold back. In today’s reading, we witness the terrifying depths of Saul’s rebellion as he consults the Witch of Endor and hosts a covenant meal the night before his death. But before that, we meet Abigail, a clever and godly woman who stops David from avenging himself—and see David pass the same test twice as Saul keeps breaking his word. 1 Samuel 25–28 reveals the wild world of ancient sorcery, political tension, spiritual compromise, and why the Bible’s brutal honesty is actually proof that it’s true.

✈️ Overview:

• Samuel dies, setting the stage for Saul’s unraveling and David’s rise

• Abigail intervenes to prevent David from committing bloodshed, while Nabal dies under divine judgment

• David once again spares Saul’s life, proving his trust in God’s justice

• Saul, desperate for guidance, visits a medium to summon Samuel—leading to terrifying consequences

• The story ends with Saul eating a covenant meal with a witch, symbolizing his complete fall

🔎 Context Clues:

• Saul acknowledges David will be king (1 Samuel 24:20), spiritually releasing Samuel’s role as prophet

• In the ancient world, kings often relied on prophets for divine direction—Saul’s loss of Samuel is deeply disorienting

• The Witch of Endor scene echoes ancient Near Eastern practices but subverts them by exposing demonic deception

• “Endor” is referenced in pop culture—like “Endora” in Bewitched—as a subtle nod to biblical lore

🤓 Nerdy Nuggets:

• Abigail is described as “clever and beautiful”—a rare biblical combo of intellect and appearance

• David’s mob-style negotiation with Nabal reflects local tribal customs, but God rebukes the attitude

• The witch is shocked when Samuel actually appears—proof that her “visions” were previously demonic charades

• Most mediums work with familiar spirits—demons impersonating the dead—explaining why the witch panics

• Saul swears “by the LORD” to a witch, then sits and eats with her—forming a perverse anti-covenant

✅ Timeless Truths:

• Godly leadership waits on God’s justice instead of seeking personal vengeance

• Your associations reveal your allegiance—Saul’s final dinner was with a witch, not a prophet

• Compromise starts slow—David begins accumulating wives and seeking pagan protection before he ever sins publicly

• Not all “spiritual” practices are godly—witchcraft and mediums are counterfeit paths to divine truth

• The Bible’s brutal honesty about its leaders proves its reliability—it doesn’t clean up the mess to sell a story

The Bible doesn’t whitewash its characters. It tells the truth—even when that truth is terrifying. Saul’s journey is a warning to every leader: when you ignore God’s voice and lean on counterfeit guidance, destruction is close behind. The Witch of Endor isn’t a fairy tale—it’s a wake-up call. And the Bible’s willingness to expose that darkness is what makes it trustworthy. God tells the whole story… even when it’s uncomfortable.