(I Samuel 28, 31)
She didn’t own a cauldron,
And she didn’t have a black cat.
She didn’t ride on a broom,
Or wear a pointy hat.
She didn’t use a crystal ball,
But she was a witch, nonetheless.
For she was a fortune teller,
Whom Saul turned to in distress.
Saul was facing the Philistine army,
So to God he began to implore,
But because Saul had been so wicked,
His prayers God chose to ignore.
So Saul disguised himself,
And from the seer he would inquire.
Though he had previously banned her kind,
He saw his situation as dire.
The witch didn’t recognize him,
But she was still afraid.
She knew that if she were found out,
In a grave she would be laid.
Saul swore by the Lord she was safe,
So she asked who to call from the dead.
Saul’s reply was "The prophet Samuel,”
Whose grave was now his bed.
“Why do you disturb me?”
Samuel said as his anger grew.
“God won’t talk to me,” replied Saul;
He asked Samuel what he should do.
Samuel retorted, “You had been warned;
Yet you made God your enemy.
And furthermore, since you didn’t listen,
Tomorrow you will be with me.”
So Saul went into battle,
With no more help from the Lord.
His sons were killed and he was wounded,
So he fell on his own sword.
Saul was the first of many kings;
Most kings ignored God’s will.
And so throughout generations,
God’s prediction they would fulfill.
For, most kings oppressed the people,
And they greedily sought their own gains.
But God’s people still followed the kings;
They forgot Who really reigns.
Becky Wall
