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 for certain that you will go out with me in the camp, you and your men.” 2David said to Achish, “Very well, you will learn what your servant can do.” So Achish said to David, “Then I will assuredly make you 2my bodyguard 3for 4life!”

3Now 5Samuel was dead, and all Israel had mourned him and buried him 6in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had removed the 7mediums and spiritists from the land. 4So the Philistines assembled and came and camped 8in Shunem; and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they camped in 9Gilboa. 5When Saul saw the camp of the Philistines, he was afraid and his heart trembled greatly. 610So Saul inquired of the Lord, but 11the Lord did not answer him, either in 12dreams, or by the 13Urim, 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 of her.” And his servants said to him, “Behold, 14there is a woman who is a medium at 15En-dor.”

8Then Saul 16disguised himself by putting on different clothes, and went, he and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night; and he said, “17Consult the spirit for me, please, and 18bring up for me the one whom I shall 19name for you.” 9But the woman said to him, “Behold, you know 20what Saul has done, that he has eliminated the mediums and spiritists from the land. Why are you then setting a trap for my life, to bring about my death?” 10So Saul swore an oath 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!” 13But the king said to her, “Do not be afraid; but what do you see?” And the woman said to Saul, “I see a 21divine being coming up from the earth.” 14He said to her, “22How does he appear?” And she said, “An old man is coming up, and 23he is wrapped in a robe.” Then Saul knew that it was Samuel, and 24he bowed with his face to the ground and paid 25homage.

15And Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Saul replied, “I am very distressed, for the Philistines are waging war against me, and 26God has abandoned me and 27no longer answers me, either through prophets or in dreams; therefore I have called you, so that you may let me know what I should do.” 16Samuel said, “But why ask me, since the Lord has abandoned you and has become your enemy? 17And the Lord has done 28just 29as He spoke through me; for the Lord has torn the kingdom from your hand and given it to your neighbor, to David. 18Just as 30you did not 31obey the Lord and did not execute His fierce wrath on Amalek, so the Lord has done this thing to you this day. 19Furthermore, the Lord will also hand Israel along with you over to the Philistines; so tomorrow 32you and your sons will be with me. Indeed, the Lord will hand the army of Israel over to the Philistines!”

20Then Saul immediately fell full length to the ground and was very afraid because of Samuel’s words; there was no strength in him either, because he had eaten no 33food all day and all night. 21The woman came to Saul and saw that he was utterly horrified, and she said to him, “Behold, your servant has 34obeyed you, and 35I have 36taken my life in my hand and have listened to your words which you spoke to me. 22So now you too, please listen to the voice of your servant, and let me serve you a piece of bread, and eat it, so that you will have strength when you go on your way.” 23But he refused and said, “37I will not eat.” 38However, his servants together with the woman urged him, and he listened to 39them. So he got up from the ground and sat on 40the bed. 24Now the woman had a 41fattened calf in the house, and she quickly slaughtered it; then she 42took flour, kneaded it and baked unleavened bread from it. 25She then served it to Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they got up and left that night.