Originally Posted by dockeen

Hmmm, King Saul was able to talk to a dead Samuel, was he not?

Originally Posted by Lunawalk

or the witch of Endor was just impersonating Samuel. I m sure that's the modern christian interpretation

Originally Posted by rhutchin

There is no reason to assume that a second account begins at 2:4. Although there are differing views about this, the account beginning at 1:1 seems to end at 2:7.

There may be a split between 2:4 and 2:5. 2:8 can be the beginning of a new account (but this could begin at 2:7) describing how God created a garden and placed the man there. From there to the end of the chapter are described the activities in the garden and all this would be on day 6.

In another view, the verses, 2:5-6, create perspective for the reader who would be unfamiliar with events of that time. They transition between the account of the creation (1:1-2:4) and details relating to Adam and the creation of Eve (2:8-25). NIV sets the verses off as if they were a parenthetical addition.

I think you have to make a case for the position that the second account begins at 2:5. Do you just want to make that an assumption from which you will build your argument? If so, your argument fails if the assumption fails.

Given that Davka has some expertise in the Hebrew language, perhaps he can shed some light on what is happening.

Originally Posted by dockeen

Googling about, a surprising number so answers to the question about whether
it was really Samuel to preachers leads to affirmative answers.

The cover appears to be that such things only work if god allows it.