The LORD did not give Saul any help or direction through the ordinary and legitimate channels that have been established for this purpose during the time of the Old Covenant.1 This was not only because there was no nearby prophet and priest (Saul killed the priests that were in Nob), but primarily because Saul was not interested in hearing from the LORD. He had turned his back on God, and did not truly seek the LORD and so the LORD was silent despite his inquiries. Elsewhere in Scripture we learn that sin can hinder prayer (Psalm 66:18, 1 Peter 3:7), and that God does not typically respond to the prayers of his enemies (2 Samuel 22:42) and those who rebel against him (1 Samuel 8:18, Proverbs 28:9, Micah 3:4). A prayer of repentance must come first (2 Chronicles 7:13–14).2
6 And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets.