A sad and strange story from the ending of Saul's life.
Saul has cut himself off from God. He faces a terrible battle and in his fear he seeks counsel from God. But it is fear seeking, not repentance. There is no sign of remorse. No sign of a desire to change. No need for a closer relationship with God. Just fear. The Philistine host looks bigger than he can handle.
Saul is obsessed here with technique. Can I get a dream? Does any prophet have a message for me? How about the Urim and Thummim? Is there a woman with a familiar spirit? But what is really needed here is a broken heart and a contrite spirit. In the end, he finally gets the revelation he seeks, but since he has not made peace with God, he receives no counsel, no comfort and no benefit.
Revelation is always more than a technique, it is always embedded in the context of our relationship with God, and that relationship is more important than the technique or its results.
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