1 Kingdoms (1 Samuel) 28:19Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The malicious spirits can only hear what the Sovereign Lord permits them; thus, the divining spirit in the Acts of the Apostles recognized the Apostle Paul, intending to proclaim the gospel (Acts 16:17). However, they mingled deceit with truth, using their knowledge not to teach but to mislead.

A parallel may be observed with the apparition of Samuel, who foretold Saul’s death while misleadingly implying they would share the same fate. This is clearly erroneous, as the Gospel tells us that the righteous and the wicked are separated by an immense chasm, as evidenced in the account of the rich man in torment and the poor man comforted (Luke 16:26). Therefore, Samuel's statement to Saul that he would be with him likely referred not to a shared bliss but to a common experience of death, emphasizing their shared humanity and mortality.

It seems, dear reader, that in examining both interpretations, we find an explanation consistent with our faith, unless a more profound inquiry—beyond my current capabilities and time—reveals whether a human soul, summoned by sorcery, can visibly appear before the living while retaining its former likeness, and whether the souls of the righteous are not bound by such acts but choose to appear in accordance with divine law.

Should it turn out that such manifestations are impossible, the earlier interpretations would not be entirely invalidated; rather, we must conclude that through diabolical trickery, an illusory likeness of Samuel was crafted. Regardless of the possibilities, given the nature of Satan's deceptions and the crafty creation of imitative forms designed to mislead human perception, we should approach this matter with caution. For now, we should consider it more plausible that what Saul experienced was merely an apparition produced by the wicked endeavors of the enchantress involved. See also Sir. 46:23. On various matters. Book ii.

This is akin to someone announcing the arrival of a traveler they have already heard about, presenting it as a future event, thereby falsely claiming prophetic insight to gain honor. Consequently, demons can easily lead individuals into deception by proclaiming events that have already occurred, masquerading these declarations as divine revelations. For instance, they used a medium to convey to Saul his impending defeat. These demons assumed the likeness of Samuel, proclaiming God's judgment and delivering it as if it were their own pronouncement.