1 Samuel 28

The Philistines Gather for War

1And it happened in those days that the Philistines gathered their camps as an army for battle, to fight against Israel. Achish said to David, “Know for certain that you shall go out with me in the camp, you and your men.” 2David said to Achish, “Therefore you shall know what your servant will do.” Achish said to David, “Therefore I will appoint you keeper of my head all the days.”

Saul Seeks Guidance

3Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, in his city. And Saul had removed the mediums and the spiritists from the land. 4The Philistines gathered, came, and camped at Shunem. 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 the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams, by the Urim, or by prophets.

Saul Seeks a Medium

7Then Saul said to his servants, “Seek for me a woman who is a medium, and I will go to her and inquire through her.” His servants said to him, “Look, there is a woman who is a medium at En-Dor.” 8Saul disguised himself and put on other garments and went, he and two men with him. They came to the woman by night. He said, “Please practice divination for me by a spirit and bring up for me the one whom I say to you.” 9The woman said to him, “Look, you know what Saul has done, how he cut off the mediums and the spiritists from the land. Why then are you laying a trap for my life to put me to death?” 10Saul swore to her by the LORD, saying, “As the LORD lives, no guilt shall happen to you in this matter.” 11Then the woman said, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” He said, “Bring up Samuel for me.”

Samuel Appears

12When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice. The woman said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!” 13The king said to her, “Do not be afraid. What did you see?” The woman said to Saul, “I saw a divine being coming up from the earth.” 14He said to her, “What is his appearance?” She said, “An old man is coming up, and he is wrapped in a robe.” Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground and prostrated himself.

Samuel Announces Saul’s Defeat

15Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Saul said, “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 called you to make known to me what I should do.” 16Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since the LORD has turned away from you and has become your adversary? 17The LORD has done for himself just as he spoke by my hand. The LORD has torn the kingdom from your hand and given it to your companion, to David. 18Because you did not listen to the voice of the LORD and did not carry out his burning anger against Amalek, therefore the LORD has done this thing to you this day. 19Moreover, the LORD will give Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines. Tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me. The LORD will also give the camp of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.”

Saul Collapses

20Saul hurried and fell full length upon the ground and was very afraid because of Samuel’s words. There was also no strength in him, for he had eaten no bread all that day and all that night. 21The woman came to Saul and saw that he was greatly terrified. She said to him, “Look, your female servant listened to your voice. I placed my life in my hand and listened to your words that you spoke to me. 22And now, please, you also listen to the voice of your female servant, and let me set before you a morsel of bread. Eat, so that there may be strength in you when you go on your way.” 23But he refused and said, “I will not eat.” His servants and the woman pressed him, and he listened to their voice. He arose from the ground and sat on the bed.

The Woman Feeds Saul

24The woman had a fattened calf in the house, and she hurried and slaughtered it. She took flour, kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread from it. 25She brought it before Saul and before his servants, and they ate. Then they arose and went away that night.