Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her, and inquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that is a medium at Endor.
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George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
Spirit. Hebrew, "an ob "or vessel distended, as such impostors seemed to swell at the presence of the spirit. Septuagint, "a belly talker. "They endeavour to speak from that part. We read of some who, without magic, have possessed the art in great perfection, so as to deceive the company, and make them think that some one was calling them from a great distance; as was the case with one Farming in England, 1645. (Dickenson, c. 9.)
Brodeus mentions that the valet of Francis I could thus counterfeit the speech of people deceased, and by these means prevailed upon a rich young woman to marry him, and a banker of Lyons to give him a large sum of money. James Rodoginus, a possessed person in Italy, 1513, could make articulate sounds from the hollow of his belly, when his lips and nostrils were closed up. The oracles of idols were generally given in a low tone, as if they proceeded from the earth. Submissi petimus terramvox fertur ad aures. (Virgil)
Those of Apollo were the most famous, and hence a divining spirit is called a Python. Saul must have been stupidly blind, thus to depend on what he had formerly banished with such care. (Calmet)
He flattered himself that some would still be left, especially among the women, who are most addicted to superstition, as well as to religion. (Menochius)
Endor was distant from Gelboe about four hours' walk. (Adrichomius)
But Saul made a long circuit to avoid the enemy. (Salien, v. 20.)
