When Samuel was living, Saul had despised his counsel and had resented his reproofs. But now, in the hour of his distress and calamity, he felt that the prophet's guidance was his only hope, and in order to communicate with Heaven's ambassador he vainly had recourse to the messenger of hell! Saul had placed himself fully in the power of Satan; and now he whose only delight is in causing misery and destruction, made the most of his advantage, to work the ruin of the unhappy king. In answer to Saul's agonized entreaty came the terrible message, professedly from the lips of Samuel:

Mens Samuel levede, lod Saul hånt om hans råd og tog hans irettesættelser ilde op; men nu, da han var kommet i nød og blev truet af ulykker, betragtede han profetens hjælp som sit eneste håb, og for, at komme i forbindelse med Himmelens repræsentant opsøgte han helvedes sendebud men forgæves. Saul var fuldstændig i Satans vold, og nu så Djævelen, der elsker at gøre fortræd og ødelægge, sin store chance til at gøre det af med den ulykkelige konge. Det væsen, der udgav sig for at være Samuel, overbragte Saul dette frygtelige budskab som svar på hans indtrængende bøn: