1 Samuel 28

1 Samuel 28:1 At that time, the Philistines gathered their military units into one army to fight against Israel. So Achish said to David, “You know, of course, that you and your men must march out in the army with me.”

1 Samuel 28:2 David replied to Achish, “Good, you will find out what your slave can do.” So Achish said to David, “Very well, I will appoint you as my permanent bodyguard.”

1 Samuel 28:3 By this time Samuel had died, all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his city, and Saul had removed the mediums and spiritists from the land.

1 Samuel 28:4 The Philistines gathered and camped at Shunem. So Saul gathered all Israel, and they camped at Gilboa.

1 Samuel 28:5 When Saul saw the Philistine camp, he was afraid and his heart pounded.

1 Samuel 28:6 He inquired of Yahveh, but Yahveh did not answer him in dreams or by the Lights[1] or by the prophets.

1 Samuel 28:7 Saul then said to his slaves, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so I can go and consult her.” His servants replied, “Notice, there is a woman at En-dor who is a medium.”

1 Samuel 28:8 Saul disguised himself by putting on different clothes and set out with two of his men. They came to the woman at night, and Saul said, “Consult a spirit for me. Bring up for me the one I tell you.”

1 Samuel 28:9 But the woman said to him, “I notice that you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off the mediums and spiritists from the land. Why are you setting a trap for my throat to get me killed?”

1 Samuel 28:10 Then Saul swore to her by Yahveh: “As surely as Yahveh lives, no punishment will come to you from this.”

1 Samuel 28:11 “Who is it that you want me to bring up for you?” the woman asked. “Bring up Samuel for me,” he answered.

1 Samuel 28:12 When the woman saw Samuel, she screamed, and then she asked Saul, “Why did you deceive me? You are Saul!”

1 Samuel 28:13 But the king said to her, “Don’t be afraid. What do you see?” “I see a spirit form coming up out of the ground,” the woman answered.

1 Samuel 28:14 Then Saul asked her, “What does he look like?” “An old man is coming up,” she replied. “He’s wearing a robe.” Then Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he knelt low with his face to the ground and paid homage.

1 Samuel 28:15 “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Samuel asked Saul. “I’m in serious trouble,” replied Saul. “The Philistines are fighting against me and God has turned away from me. He doesn’t answer me anymore, either through the prophets or in dreams. So I’ve called on you to tell me what I should do.”

1 Samuel 28:16 Samuel answered, “Since Yahveh has turned away from you and has become your enemy, why are you asking me?

1 Samuel 28:17 Yahveh has done exactly what he said through me: Yahveh has torn the kingship out of your hand and given it to your neighbor David.

1 Samuel 28:18 You did not obey Yahveh and did not carry out his burning anger against Amalek; therefore Yahveh has done this to you today.

1 Samuel 28:19 Yahveh will also hand Israel over to the Philistines along with you. Tomorrow you and your sons will be with me, and Yahveh will hand Israel’s army over to the Philistines.”

1 Samuel 28:20 Immediately, Saul fell flat on the ground. He was terrified by Samuel’s words and was also weak because he had not eaten anything all day and all night.

1 Samuel 28:21 The woman came over to Saul, and she saw that he was terrified and said to him, “Notice, your servant has obeyed you. I took my throat in my hands and did what you told me to do.

1 Samuel 28:22 Now please listen to your servant. Let me set some food in front of you. Eat and it will give you strength so you can go on your way.”

1 Samuel 28:23 He refused, saying, “I won’t eat,” but when his slaves and the woman urged him, he listened to them. He got up off the ground and sat on the bed.

1 Samuel 28:24 The woman had a fattened calf at her house, and she quickly slaughtered it. She also took flour, kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread.

1 Samuel 28:25 She served it to Saul and his slaves, and they ate. Afterward, they got up and left that night.

[1]אוּרִים = lights.