5. When Saul could get no counsel from the Lord, what did he instruct his servants to do, and what reply did they give the king? 1 Samuel 28:7.
NOTE: ‘But as God has left him, he seeks a woman with a familiar spirit, who is in communion with Satan. He has forsaken God, and at length seeks one who has made a covenant with death and an agreement with hell, for knowledge. The witch of Endor had made agreement with Satan to follow his directions in all things, and he would perform wonders and miracles for her, and would reveal to her the most secret things, if she would yield herself unreservedly to be controlled by his Satanic Majesty. This she had done.’ Spiritual Gifts, volume 4a, page 84.
6. Why was this an unexpected request by King Saul? 1 Samuel 28:9. See verse 3, last part.
NOTE: ‘There was in the land a class of people who claimed to have a power to communicate with the dead. This work, called necromancy (a “pretended communication with the dead.” - Webster), had been strictly forbidden by the Lord. Leviticus 19:31; 20:27; Deuteronomy 18:9-12, etc. And Saul, in obedience to the command of the Lord (Exodus 22:18), had cut off, so far as they could be found, all persons of that class out of the land. Yet a few still practised, with caution and secrecy, their ghostly orgies.’ Uriah Smith: Here and Hereafter, page 153.