Whedon's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 28:3-25
SAUL’S DISTRESS, AND INTERVIEW WITH THE WITCH OF ENDOR, 1 Samuel 28:3-25. Saul’s interview with the witch of Endor has ever been regarded as a subject beset with peculiar difficulties, and variously has it been explained. Justin Martyr and Origen held that by the incantations of the witch the spirit of Samuel actually appeared and conversed with Saul. Modern spiritism also affirms that the witch was a medium through whom the king of Israel received communications from the spirit of Samuel. But... read more
Wesley's Explanatory Notes - 1 Samuel 28:11
Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.Samuel — Whose kindness and compassion as he had formerly experienced, so now he expected it in his deep distress. This practice of divination by the dead, or the souls of dead persons, was very usual among all nations. read more