The answer is: Prophets of Baal

1 Samuel 28:6-7

In the tragic tale of Saul, Israel’s first king, we find a man who was once robust and respected but spiraled into desperation. As his reign waned and his connection with God further deteriorated, Saul's reliance on divine guidance crumbled. At a time when threats loomed large, he resorted to an unthinkable option: consulting the dead rather than seeking out a prophet of the Lord.

The intriguing twist is that Saul avoided the prophets of Baal—the Babylonian gods often associated with child sacrifice and soothsaying. Instead, he sought a medium, signaling his utter abandonment of faith in God’s voice. This act speak volumes about his state of mind; in search for answers, Saul symbolically crossed the line between the sacred and the forbidden, marking his despair at not hearing God’s direction.

Fun fact: The medium Saul visited, often called the Witch of Endor, is one of the few female figures in the Old Testament who stepped into this role, stirring debates about morality and divination throughout Jewish and Christian history. This brings us to a unique Bible glimpse — where the divine message forecasted Saul's doom transpired through a woman, echoing the complexities of faith where God’s truth emerges in unexpected forms.

Saul's story ultimately highlights a critical lesson: losing touch with one’s spiritual roots can lead down despairing paths. So many touchstones in this narrative continue to resonate and invite reflection on how we seek wisdom in times of hardship.