1 Samuel 28

1It happened in those days that the Philistines gathered their armies for battle to fight Israel. Achish said to David, "You know—you will know—that you will go out with me in the army, you and your men."

2David said to Achish, “Therefore you will know what your servant will do.” Achish said to David, “Therefore I will appoint you my bodyguard forever.”

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

4The Philistines gathered, came, and encamped in Shunem, and Saul gathered all Israel and they encamped in Gilboa.

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

6Saul asked Yahweh, but Yahweh did not answer him—not by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.

7Saul said to his servants, “Find me a woman who possesses a familiar spirit, so I may go to her and inquire of her.” His servants said to him, “Look, there is a woman who possesses a familiar spirit at Endor.”

8Saul disguised himself and put on other garments; he and two men with him went to the woman at night, and he said, “Divine for me by the familiar spirit, please, and bring up for me whomever I name to you.”

9The woman answered him, "Look, you know what Saul has done—how he has cut off the familiar spirits and the wizard from the land. Why then do you snare my soul to put me to death?"

10Saul swore to her by Yahweh, saying, "As Yahweh lives, no punishment will befall you for this matter."

11The woman said, "Whom shall I bring up for you?" He said, "Bring Samuel up for me."

12When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out in 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, for what have you seen?” The woman said to Saul, “I have seen gods ascending out of the earth.”

14He said to her, "What does he look like?" She said, "An elderly man is coming up, wrapped in a robe." Saul knew it was Samuel, bowed his face to the ground, and prostrated himself.

15Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you troubled me by bringing me up?" Saul answered, "Distress grips me tightly, for the Philistines fight against me, and God has turned away from me and no longer answers me—not by prophets' hand, nor in dreams—so I called you to reveal what I should do."

16Samuel said, "Why do you ask me, since Yahweh has departed from you and become your enemy?"

17Yahweh has done to you as he spoke through me. Yahweh has torn the kingdom from your hand and given it to your neighbor David.

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

19Yahweh will also deliver Israel with you into the Philistines' hand, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me; Yahweh will also deliver Israel's army into the Philistines' hand.

20Saul fell headlong full length to the ground and was greatly afraid because of Samuel's words; he also had no strength in him, for he had eaten no bread all day or all night.

21The woman came to Saul and saw that he was greatly dismayed, and said to him, "See, your maidservant has heeded your voice, and I put my life in my hand, and heeded your words that you spoke to me."

22Now please listen to your handmaid's voice too, and let me set a morsel of bread before you; eat, so strength will be in you when you go on the way.

23He refused and said, "I will not eat," but his servants, along with the woman, urged him insistently, and he listened to their voice; so he arose from the ground and sat on the bed.

24The woman had a stall-fed calf in the house; she hurried, slaughtered it, took flour, kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread.

25She set it before Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they arose and departed that night.