I have always been impressed with Samuel, from how he was born until he was summoned from the dead. There have always been many questions in my mind about the fate of Samuel. The fact that he showed up when the medium of En-dor summoned him (an evil thing) made me wonder if he came from heaven, Sheol, or hell. Many Christians are impressed by Samuel and how he lived, but the question is what happened to him after he died. Considering that he was summoned by a medium and showed up, did Samuel go to heaven?
From the story of Samuel being summoned by the medium at En-dor, we can suggest that Samuel is in the bosom of Abraham. The bosom of Abraham is in heaven. The fact that Samuel told Soul about the future at this point supports the idea that he is in heaven.
In this article, I will write about the final fate of Samuel after he died. I will explore the possible place from where he came after being summoned by the medium of En-dor. Finally, I will talk about what religious scholars believe about Samuel going to heaven.
Does the Bible say that Samuel went to heaven?
The Bible does not explicitly say that Samuel went to heaven. The Bible gives us the story of Samuel and shows how much faith he had in God. Also, the Bible gives the first and last account of a medium summoning the dead, Samuel, and him showing up. From the incidents in Samuel’s life recorded in the Bible, we can say that the Bible implies that he is in heaven.
Where did Samuel go when he died?
Samuel was laid down to rest on his land at Ramah when he died. After that, it is suggested that his spirit went to the bosom of Abraham. The bosom of Abraham is believed to be in heaven. Therefore it implies that he went to heaven.
Where did Samuel come from when the Medium of En-dor summoned him?
It is suggested that Samuel came from Abraham’s bosom when the medium of En-dor summoned him. Abraham’s bosom is believed to be in heaven, which implies that he was summoned from heaven.
Opposite to the Jewish mythology about the dead always going to the Sheol, it is suggested that Samuel was dead but in the bosom of Abraham in heaven. This is because the Jewish believed that the dead had no knowledge or consciousness while in the Sheol. However, we can prove that when Samuel was brought up by the medium of En-dor, he knew the future. He was aware of the future event according to 1st Samuel 28:19 says, “The LORD will deliver both Israel and you into the hands of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The LORD will also give the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines.” This is Samuel’s ghost dressed in a robe speaking to Saul.
Samuel, as a ghost, knows what will happen in the future instead of what the dead can do while in the Sheol. Samuel knew about God’s plans even though he had been long dead. And if he was not anywhere near God, like in the Sheol, he would be barred from God and knowledge and would not know what was happening and what God planned for the future.
Do Christians believe that Samuel went to heaven?
As Christians, our faith calls us to believe in the doctrine of resurrection: be raised from the dead to receive eternal life or death. This calls for Christians to believe that Samuel received eternal life in heaven after living a life that pleased God and served him faithfully. Also, we have learned that the dead cannot communicate with us unless God allows it, like Samuel to come from heaven and pass His message.
Do religious scholars believe that Samuel went to heaven?
A leading Christianity expert, Jeff Robinson, believes and states that the Bible does not give enough evidence about the possibility of Samuel or any other person being currently in heaven. However, he does say that as a Christian, he believes in the doctrine of the resurrection and final judgment. Those who will make it to heaven will have lived a life that pleases God. According to Robinson, Samuel lived a good life; he was faithful to God as a prophet and a judge, implying that he had faith in God.
John 3:16 says, “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life.” This scripture, as examined by Robinson, implies that a person needs to have faith in God to be in heaven. According to him, Samuel had faith in God, which is why he is in heaven.
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
