1 Samuel 28

Saul and the Spirit Medium

1Now it came about in those days that 1the Philistines gathered their armed camps for war, to fight against Israel. And Achish said to David, “Know assuredly that you will go out with me in the camp, you and your men.” 2David said to Achish, “Very well, you shall know what your servant can do.” So Achish said to David, “Very well, I will make you 2my bodyguard 3for life.”

3Now 4Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him and buried him 5in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had removed from the land those who 6were mediums and spiritists. 4So the Philistines gathered together and came and camped 7in Shunem; and Saul gathered all Israel together and they camped in 8Gilboa. 5When Saul saw the camp of the Philistines, he was afraid and his heart trembled greatly. 69When Saul inquired of the Lord, 10the Lord did not answer him, either by 11dreams or by 12Urim or by prophets. 7Then Saul said to his servants, “Seek for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” And his servants said to him, “Behold, 13there is a woman who is a medium at 14En-dor.”

8Then Saul 15disguised himself by putting on other clothes, and went, he and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night; and he said, “16Conjure up for me, please, and 17bring up for me whom I shall 18name to you.” 9But the woman said to him, “Behold, you know 19what Saul has done, how he has cut off those who are mediums and spiritists from the land. Why are you then laying a snare for my life to bring about my death?” 10Saul vowed to her by the Lord, saying, “As the Lord lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this thing.” 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 spoke to Saul, saying, “Why have you deceived me? For you are Saul.” 13The king said to her, “Do not be afraid; but what do you see?” And the woman said to Saul, “I see a 20divine being coming up out of the earth.” 14He said to her, “What is his form?” And she said, “An old man is coming up, and 21he is wrapped with a robe.” And Saul knew that it was Samuel, and 22he bowed with his face to the ground and did homage.

15Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” And Saul answered, “I am greatly distressed; for the Philistines are waging war against me, and 23God has departed from me and 24no longer answers me, either through prophets or by dreams; therefore I have called you, that you may make known to me what I should do.” 16Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since the Lord has departed from you and has become your adversary? 17The Lord has done 25accordingly 26as He spoke through me; for the Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, to David. 18As 27you did not 28obey the Lord and did not execute His fierce wrath on Amalek, so the Lord has done this thing to you this day. 19Moreover the Lord will also give over Israel along with you into the hands of the Philistines, therefore tomorrow 29you and your sons will be with me. Indeed the Lord will give over the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines!”

20Then Saul immediately fell full length upon the ground and was very afraid because of the words of Samuel; also there was no strength in him, for he had eaten no 30food all day and all night. 21The woman came to Saul and saw that he was terrified, and said to him, “Behold, your maidservant has 31obeyed you, and 32I have 33taken my life in my hand and have listened to your words which you spoke to me. 22So now also, please listen to the voice of your maidservant, and let me set a piece of bread before you that you may eat and have strength when you go on your way.” 23But he refused and said, “34I will not eat.” 35However, his servants together with the woman urged him, and he listened to 36them. So he arose from the ground and sat on 37the bed. 24The woman had a 38fattened calf in the house, and she quickly slaughtered it; and she 39took flour, kneaded it and baked unleavened bread from it. 25She brought it before Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they arose and went away that night.