1 Samuel 28

1In those days the Philistines gathered their camps for war, to fight against Israel. And Achish said to David, “You surely know that you and your men must go out with me in the camp.”

2David said to Achish, “Then you yourself will know what your servant can do.” And Achish said to David, “Very well, I will make you my bodyguard for all your days.”

3Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, in his own city. And Saul had removed the mediums and the spiritists from the land.

4The Philistines gathered and came and camped at Shunem, and Saul gathered all Israel, and they camped at Gilboa.

5When Saul saw the camp of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly.

6Saul inquired of Yahweh, but Yahweh did not answer him, either by dreams or by the Urim or by the prophets.

7Then Saul said to his servants, “Find for me a woman who is a medium, so that I may go to her and inquire through her.” And his servants said to him, “Look, there is a woman who is a medium at En-dor.”

8So Saul disguised himself and put on other clothes, and he went, he and two men with him. They came to the woman by night, and he said, “Please divine for me by a medium, and bring up for me the one whom I name to you.”

9But the woman said to him, “Look, you yourself know what Saul has done, that he has cut off the mediums and the spiritists from the land. So why are you laying a snare for my life, to put me to death?”

10So Saul swore to her by Yahweh, saying, “As Yahweh lives, no punishment will come upon you in this matter.”

11Then the woman said, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” And he said, “Bring up Samuel for me.”

12When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice, and the woman said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!”

13The king said to her, “Do not be afraid. What do you see?” And the woman said to Saul, “I see a divine being coming up from the earth.”

14He said to her, “What is his appearance?” And she said, “An old man is coming up, and he is wrapped in a robe.” Then Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground and prostrated himself.

15Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Saul answered, “I am in great distress. The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has turned away from me and no longer answers me, either by prophets or by dreams. So I have called you to tell me what I should do.”

16And Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since Yahweh has turned away from you and has become your adversary?”

17And Yahweh has done for you just as he spoke by my hand: Yahweh has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, to David.

18Because you did not obey the voice of Yahweh and did not carry out his burning anger against Amalek, therefore Yahweh has done this thing to you today.

19And Yahweh will also give Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. Yahweh will also give the camp of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.

20Saul immediately fell full length to the ground, and he was very afraid because of Samuel’s words. There was no strength in him either, because he had eaten no bread all that day and all that night.

21The woman came to Saul, and when she saw that he was very terrified, she said to him, “Behold, your servant has obeyed your voice, and I have put my life in my hand and listened to your words that you spoke to me.”

22Now then, please listen, you also, to the voice of your female servant, and let me set a piece of bread before you. Eat, so that there may be strength in you, because you must go on your way.

23But he refused and said, “I will not eat.” Yet his servants, along with the woman, urged him, and he listened to their voice. So he rose from the ground and sat on the bed.

24The woman had a fattened calf in the house, and she hurried and slaughtered it. Then she took flour, kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread.

25Then she brought it before Saul and before his servants, and they ate. Then they rose and went away that night.