Something I noticed in Psalm 83

Cwood - I respect your take on this, however to form a doctrine about it, is not for me. The context of 1 Samuel 28 is one of those vague areas of scripture that I have reviewed and yet to come to a sound biblical view of what God allowed to transpire here.

I do however want to discuss just a few of the questions you posed. Unless of course they were just rhetorical

I believe Jesus shows us where Samuel was in Luke 16 & Matt 17.
NOTE - I do not want to debate that this is a parable or true story. <<< No debate I definitely think it is a parable and will show why later below. 
Please indulge me that if this is not a parable and a true event. If true event then we have contradiction in that verse 26 says "between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that [would come] from thence". The conflict here is the God allowed Samuel to be "conjured" but it was a one off event. Possible? I think so. If this was not a one off event, then any spirit medium can contact the dead at any point in time past, present or tomorrow. <<They do and they have. Many true witches and witch doctors do not believe Jesus as their savior or acknowledge that he rose from the dead because they know once they do, their power they get from seeking evil spirits and such things will be gone. So was Samuel with God or in Abraham's bosom? Either way it would appear to me that God allowed it once. Or at the least allowed it to be written for our learning once.

Matt 17:3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. 4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias
Now Moses and Elijah were not conjured, but where were they before this appearance? (rhetorical) <<<Lol your know I am going to answer this. I think we get our answer her later in this chapter:  9As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.” many times throughout scripture angels or divine beings are seen through visions and not in a physical way. For instance Daniel often saw the angels through visions and if anyone else was with him they could not see them but sense them and would become frightened. John in Revelation saw all that he saw in a vision in the spirit. 

I dont believe we've been given enough to state dogmatically that Samuel was just in the ground dormant, and his spirit was just asleep.
His body was certainly asleep but Saul and the witch saw his spirit. I think we can agree there  

Certainly not dogmatic, just putting verses together like these to better understand them:

"For in death there is no remembrance of thee [The LORD], in the grave who shall give thee [The LORD] thanks?" Psalms 6:5

"If a man die, shall he live again? All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change comes. Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee; thou (Job) wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands." Job 14:14-15 < Job in the last part of that verse is stating once he hears the call of Jesus when he comes to resurrect, Job will be ready to do His will.

7then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit (breath) will return to God who gave it. - Ecclesiastes 12:7 I wonder if there is confusion sometimes with the word spirit between the Hebrew and Greek? The hebrew word is ruach which means breath, wind, spirit or breath through the nostrils. God breathed air into us so they we can breath and have life. If you can't breath you are dead. However this word is not used to describe Samuels spirit, Elohim is, which means God or divine being. Interesting... What about the Greek word for spirit? 4151 pneúma – properly, spirit (Spirit), wind, or breath. The most frequent meaning (translation) of 4151 (pneúma) in the NT is "spirit" ("Spirit"). Only the context however determines which sense(s) is meant. The Hebrew counterpart (rûach) has the same range of meaning as 4151 (pneúma), i.e. it likewise can refer to spirit/Spirit, wind, or breath. Pneuma is used in the below verse from 1 Corinthians when Paul is describing being in the spirit.



You are correct in stating the verse I quoted does not give a timeframe. I also do not agree that the spirit sleeps after death waiting for resurrection of the body. What scripture is there that says that? I am not aware but that doesnt mean there isnt one. But again we have the writings from Paul & John to help us see certain things where there is evidence of people in "heaven". 
Again although its debatable the context of "Absent from the body present with the Lord" as I have seen in some discussions. Lets look at the first piece of scripture I see taken out of context and applied elsewhere - I will add my emphasis (cant even believe I'm doing that-I am no scholar!) <<< You do not have to be a scholar. We are to test everything and this is a great way to do it. Most "scholars" IMO are just in it for the money. Not all, but a lot.

Col 2:1 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and [for] them at Laodicea, and [for] as many as have not seen my face in the flesh Paul was never physically there; 2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. 5 For though I be absent in the flesh Physically, yet am I with you in the spirit No not like Philip, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. <<<No Paul was not there because I do believe he was imprisoned and this is a letter that he sent to them. So instead of being able to fellowship physically with them he is doing it through letters and letting the spirit be his guide. 20“For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”- Matthew 18:20

1Cor 5:3 For I verily, as absent in body Physically, but present in spirit again not like Philip or a ghost floating in the room, have judged already, as though I were present, <<< I covered this chapter a lot in one of my above post. 

CONTEXT - please read the below in the context in which it was written.
2 Cor 5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of [this] tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 4 For we that are in [this] tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. 5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing [is] God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
 6 Therefore [we are] always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight: ) 8 We are confident, , and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things [done] in [his] body, according to that he hath done, whether [it be] good or bad.

I think Paul here is not talking about a literal house or tabernacle, but being embodied in the flesh as our current home. In this flesh we cannot be with God because it is tainted with sin and is corrupt. However he is more than willing to ride himself of this body and sinful desires that go along with it and put on a new, clean, and sin free body because he says: Whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord. At least that is how I am taking it. 

Please understand cwood, I love you sister and am not trying to convince you of anything here as secondary to our core belief. I am dialoguing with you and others to present views that don't tie out 100% on either side and are non-essential to our redemption. Whether I wait 1000 years then stand behind or in front of you in line to be judged, then that is Gods plan and decision and I joy in that my judgement was already taken by our Savior. If I am judged on the day I die or he comes to get us who remain alive, that too is not for me to question the God of creation. The only question I would pose in your view of the White Throne judgment being clear is who reigns on earth 1000 years while Satan is bound? Is it only those saints who were "beheaded and did not worship the image of the beast"? - If that were so, then would it be correct to say that you believe that if you are dead in Christ before the remaining pieces of Revelation play out, you arent resurrected until 1000 years is over? <<< I do believe that is what John is saying:


4Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. 6Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.

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Lazarus and The Rich Man

19“Now there was a rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, joyously living in splendor every day. There is a lot going on in these first couple of verses. The rich man is always clothed/covered in Purple (color of Royalty) and fine linen (symbolizing Righteousness & a Holy person or saint of God). He is joyous everyday (Greek for this is:2165 euphraínō – (from 2095 /eú, "good" and 5424 /phrḗn, "moderation as regulated by personal perspective") – properly, having a merry outlook (cheery state of mind) because feeling the sense of victory ("inner triumph").
 An in splendor (magnificence, glory, brilliance) everyday.



20“And a poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, Lazarus means "helpless' who is lame sitting at HIS gate with sores (sores represent unclean and filthiness caused from evil)

21and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man’s table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores. Now this one is interesting. Lazarus is now where the rich man is longing for crumbs. What food produces crumbs? Bread! What does bread represent in scriptures? The word of God. How long would it take someone to be "fed" with crumbs? A long time, but he is willing to get even just barely a taste. The dogs are there to waiting for their crumbs to fall to the floor because that is what dogs do. They also like their sores to heal them and prevent infection. Are they licking Lazarus sores to help them become cleaned and healed? There is another part of scripture just two chapters before this about dogs waiting for crumbs to fall:  "22And a Canaanite woman from that region came out and began to cry out, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is cruelly demon-possessed.” 23But He did not answer her a word. 24But He answered and said, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” 25But she came and began to bow down before Him, saying, “Lord, help me!” 26And He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” 27But she said, “Yes, Lord; but even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” 28Then Jesus said to her, “O woman, your faith is great; it shall be done for you as you wish.” 
>>>Does the rich man acknowledge Lazarus beneath his table? No and does not offer him any bread either. 

22“Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried. Lazarus goes into Abrahams bosom (a folded part of a garment to make a pocket on the chest. Also represents union and intimacy). Abraham means father of many or the multitudes. The rich man is buried in the earth.  

23“In Hades (grave or unseen) he lifted up his eyes, being in torment (the word for this does not mean physically torture, but to be tested, trialed. Literally it means touchstone which is used to test precious metals by rubbing them on its granular surface and if the metals leave any residue on the stone. It test for PURITY), and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom. The helpless, unclean, and filithy from evil Lazarus is in the comfort and union with the father of many. Clearly this is not literal because you cannot lift your eyes while dead and see through the earth. 

24“And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.’ Now he is referring to him as Father and to have compassion on him. If he was in literal fire, he would not be worrying about his tongue and only receiving a drop of water. He would want to be doused in water! Agony in this is not physical agony but mental agony and emotional distress. Water represents cleansing, purifying, and renewing. 5Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God - John 3:5

25“But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony.

26‘And besides all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, so that those who wish to come over from here to you will not be able, and that none may cross over from there to us.’

27“And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, that you send him to my father’s house—

28for I have five brothers—in order that he may warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’

29“But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’

30“But he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!’

31“But he said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.’”