The story of Saul and the witch of Endor is a fascinating and intriguing tale found in the Old Testament of the Bible, specifically in the book of 1 Samuel. It recounts a pivotal moment in the life of King Saul, the first king of Israel. At this point in the story, Saul is facing a dire situation. The Philistines, Israel's perennial enemies, have gathered their forces to wage war against the Israelites. Saul, feeling abandoned by God and desperate for guidance, seeks out a medium, known as the witch of Endor, in the hopes of summoning the spirit of the prophet Samuel. It is worth noting that the practice of witchcraft and consulting the dead was strictly forbidden in Israel.
STEP 1) First, decide on a planting location. Consider carefully what kind of sun, soil, and growing-space your tree or shrub will need.
STEP 2) Once you've located the perfect spot, the hole you are digging must be at least double the width and as deep as the root system you are planting.
STEP 3) Remove the plant from the pot and place the root ball in the hole. The top of the root system should be level with the ground. Before placing the tree or shrub in the hole, use your hands to gently break up the root system.
STEP 4) Once the plant is in place, backfill the hole with native soil and any leftover potting material.
STEP 5) Pack down the soil to eliminate any air pockets.
STEP 6) When finished, water thoroughly.
STEP 2 Once you ve located the perfect spot, the hole you are digging must be at least double the width and as deep as the root system you are planting. This vigorous plant blooms from June to September, and it is free of the diseases that cause unattractive foliage and leaf drop in older types of crape myrtle.
It is worth noting that the practice of witchcraft and consulting the dead was strictly forbidden in Israel. Saul, who had previously banished mediums and spiritists from the land, ironically finds himself seeking their help. He disguises himself and travels to the town of Endor, where the witch resides.
Sunset Magic Crape Myrtle
The Sunset Magic™ Crape Myrtle is a marvelous new variety of purple-leaf shrub that also carries rich red blooms for many months of the year. Colored foliage is always loved in the garden, and purple is the most popular color, because it really stands out and contrasts well with other colors, such as golden leaves. This plant has very persistent coloring, holding its deep-purple color all through summer, right up to leaf-drop. It is as good as or superior to other purple-leaf shrubs, and many of those older plants flower for just a few days, and they may have disease problems too. This vigorous plant blooms from June to September, and it is free of the diseases that cause unattractive foliage and leaf drop in older types of crape myrtle. It grows between 5 and 10 feet tall, but stays only around 6 feet wide, so it fits perfectly into the smaller gardens so many of us have today.
- Rich black-purple foliage all season, for dramatic color
- Rich red flower clusters continuously from summer to fall
- Grows easily in any sunny spot, and resists drought
- Specially bred to resist the leaf disease that mar older crape myrtles
- A top-quality shrub for both foliage and flower color
Plant the Sunset Magic Crape Myrtle in a sunny location, so that it flowers prolifically and keeps the richest possible leaf coloring. It will grow rapidly and without any problems in any well-drained soil, growing well even in poor sand and gravel soils. If you have a hot, sunny spot in your garden, this shrub will thrive. It is fast-growing too, so very soon you will have a full-sized plant, bringing vibrant leaf color from spring to fall, and powerful red flowers all summer and fall too. Diseases and pests won’t bother it, and the all-season interest will really bring your garden to life.
Shrubs with colored foliage are always popular, but never more than today. This is because they give months of color in the garden for very little work, so rather than growing flowering plants that take lots of care, or shrubs that flower for just a week or two each year, they are all you need for a colorful garden. Modern gardeners love to mix and match shrubs with different leaf colors, and no colors are more popular than rich deep reds and purples – the deeper, richer and more persistent the better. There are other shrubs that have this coloring, such as the Purple Leaf Plum, but no other purple-leaf shrub has the beautiful flowers, long bloom period, and trouble-free habits of the Sunset Magic Crape Myrtle.
The Sunset Magic Crape Myrtle is an upright shrub, reaching 5 to 10 feet in height, depending on where you grow it and how you prune it. It has a relatively narrow form for a Crape Myrtle, growing only 4 to 8 feet wide, so it is ideal for a smaller garden, or for mixing among other shrubs. From the very beginning of the spring growth this deciduous shrub produces vigorous, glossy foliage that is a rich, deep black-purple color. This coloring persists throughout the season, all the way into fall, so unlike other purple-leaf shrubs that fade to murky purple-greens as summer progresses, this shrub stays rich and colorful until the leaves eventually fall.
But this is not all; once June arrives, or a little later in the northern limits of zone 7, blooms begin to appear. Every branch ends in a large cluster of flowers, 4 ½ inches long and a plump 4 inches across, packed with many flowers. The flowers are a rich red – an almost perfect ‘true’ red – which contrasts with the purple foliage to create a vibrant, majestic effect you will love. Each flower cluster lasts about 10 days, but new ones are constantly being produced, and your shrub will still be blooming away in September, only stopping when the colder weather arrives. To keep your Sunset Magic Crape Myrtle blooming to the max, remove spent flower heads by cutting back just above the first full-sized leaves. Towards the end of the season, if you stop removing spent flowers you will be rewarded with attractive seed pods, that add interest in winter after the leaves have fallen.
Saul asks the witch to summon the spirit of Samuel, and after some hesitation, she proceeds with the ritual. To her surprise and terror, Samuel actually appears before Saul. Samuel chastises Saul for his disobedience and predicts his imminent downfall. He informs Saul that God has rejected him as king and will deliver Israel into the hands of their enemies, the Philistines. The encounter with Samuel leaves Saul distraught and fearful. The next day, he faces the Philistine army in battle, knowing that his end is near. Ultimately, Saul and his sons are defeated, and Saul takes his own life, as predicted by Samuel. The story of Saul and the witch of Endor raises many moral and theological questions. Some interpret the appearance of Samuel as a genuine supernatural event, while others see it as a demonic deception. Regardless of one's viewpoint, the narrative serves as a cautionary tale against seeking ungodly alliances and disobeying the clear commands of God. In popular culture, the story of Saul and the witch of Endor has inspired numerous artistic interpretations. It has been the subject of paintings, plays, and even operas, such as Henry Purcell's "Saul and the Witch of Endor." These adaptations often focus on the dramatic and supernatural elements of the story, emphasizing the consequences of Saul's actions. Overall, the story of Saul and the witch of Endor serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of obedience and the dangers of dabbling in forbidden practices. It highlights the tragic downfall of a king who, in his desperation, sought guidance from sources outside of God's will. Through this cautionary tale, readers are encouraged to remain faithful and trust in God's guidance rather than seeking supernatural answers from questionable sources..
Reviews for "Purcell's Saul and the Witch of Endor: Musical Themes and Motifs Explored"
1. Emma - 1 star
I was really disappointed with "Saul and the witch of Endoe Purcell". The plot was confusing and lacked cohesiveness. The characters were poorly developed and I found it difficult to connect with any of them. The pacing was slow and there were several scenes that felt unnecessary and dragged on. Overall, I found the entire experience to be underwhelming and I would not recommend this production.
2. John - 2 stars
"Saul and the witch of Endoe Purcell" didn't meet my expectations. The musical score was lackluster and failed to capture my attention. The singing performances were subpar and I struggled to understand some of the lyrics. The set design and costumes were also lackluster, making the overall visual experience unimpressive. While some may enjoy this production, it fell short for me and I wouldn't choose to see it again.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
I found "Saul and the witch of Endoe Purcell" to be quite dull and unengaging. The storyline felt disjointed and difficult to follow. The acting was mediocre at best and I struggled to emotionally connect with any of the characters. The overall production lacked energy and excitement, leaving me unimpressed. I expected more from this performance and was left disappointed.
4. Michael - 1 star
I regret to say that "Saul and the witch of Endoe Purcell" was a complete waste of my time. The performances were lackluster and the direction seemed confused. The music failed to amaze or move me in any way. The set design was unimpressive and added nothing to the overall production. I would strongly discourage anyone from attending this show as it left me feeling completely unsatisfied.