#126 Question: Can people speak to dead persons

#126 Question:

Can people speak to dead persons
The Philistines went to Shunem and set up camp. Saul called the army of Israel together, and they set up their camp in Gilboa. 5 Saul took one look at the Philistine army and started shaking with fear. 6 So he asked the Lord what to do. But the Lord would not answer, either in a dream or by a priest or a prophet. 7 Then Saul told his officers, “Find me a woman who can talk to the spirits of the dead. I’ll go to her and find out what’s going to happen.”

Answer:

Dear Brother,

sorry for the delayed reply.

I just started my duty and saw your email. Before i plunge into my work, let me reply your question.

Bible clearly tells us that dead are not able to return.

Job asked, "If a man dies, shall he live again?" (Job 14:14).

David said, "But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me" (II Samuel 12:23).

When the rich man wished Lazarus to return Abraham said to him, 'They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them ... (Luke 16:28-31).

Those who pretend to be Mediums and spiritists are condemned for practicing witchcraft (Deuteronomy 18:10-12).
God has on rare occasions used the spirits of dead to make a point, as we see in your case. I Samuel 28:12-14.
The woman screamed because something happened that she wasn't expecting. Instead of trickery, she actually saw a spirit rise and it scared her. Samuel's spirit then delivered the message that God had turned against Saul.   The OTHER ONLY case of the dead speaking with the living was when Jesus met spirits of Moses and Elijah (Matthew 17:3).
Job clearly answered your question in Job 14:12, "So man lies down and does not rise. Till the heavens are no more, they will not awake nor be roused from their sleep."