28:3 Samuel had died. The death of Samuel signals the passing of an era.

the mediums and the necromancers. Although Saul’s expulsion of mediums and necromancers is fully in keeping with Mosaic law (Lev. 19:31; 20:6, 27; Deut. 18:11), it is only a partial proof of zeal for the religion of Israel. Saul’s consultation of a medium is a clear indication of unfaithfulness and disobedience (1 Chr. 10:13), while Lev. 20:6 says that such a person is to be “cut . . . off from among his people.”