28
1 In
those days, the
Philistines gathered
their armies
together for
warfare, to fight
with Israel. Achish
said to David, “Know
assuredly that you
will go out
with me in
the army, you
and your men.”
2 David
said to Achish, “Therefore
you will know
what your servant
can do.”
Achish said to
David, “Therefore
I will make
you my bodyguard
forever.”
3 Now
Samuel was dead,
and all Israel
had mourned for
him and buried
him in Ramah, even
in his own city.
Saul had sent away
those who
had familiar spirits and
the wizards out
of the land.
4 The
Philistines gathered
themselves together,
and came and
encamped in Shunem;
and Saul gathered
all Israel
together, and they
encamped in Gilboa.
5 When
Saul saw the
army of the
Philistines, he
was afraid, and
his heart trembled
greatly.
6 When
Saul inquired of
the LORD, the
LORD didn’t answer
him by dreams,
by Urim, or by
prophets.
7 Then
Saul said to his
servants, “Seek
for me a woman
who has a familiar
spirit, that I may
go to her
and inquire of
her.”
His servants said
to him, “Behold,
there is a woman
who has a familiar
spirit at Endor.”
8 Saul
disguised himself
and put on
other clothing,
and went, he
and two men
with him, and
they came to
the woman by night.
Then he said, “Please consult
for me by
the familiar spirit, and
bring me
up whomever I
shall name to you.”
9 The woman said
to him, “Behold,
you know what
Saul has done,
how he has
cut off those
who have
familiar spirits and
the wizards out
of the land. Why
then do you
lay a snare
for my life,
to cause me
to die?”
10 Saul
swore to her by
the LORD, saying,
“As the LORD
lives, no punishment
will happen to
you for this
thing.”
11 Then
the woman said, “Whom
shall I bring up
to you?”
He said, “Bring
Samuel up for
me.”
12 When
the woman saw
Samuel, she cried
with a loud
voice; and
the woman spoke to
Saul, saying, “Why
have you deceived
me? For you
are Saul!”
13 The
king said to her,
“Don’t be afraid!
What do you
see?”
The woman said to
Saul, “I see
a god coming up
out of the
earth.”
14 He said
to her, “What
does he look like?”
She said, “An old
man comes up.
He is covered
with a robe.”
Saul perceived
that it was
Samuel, and he
bowed with his face
to the ground,
and showed respect.
15 Samuel
said to Saul, “Why
have you disturbed
me, to bring
me up?”
Saul answered, “I
am very distressed;
for the
Philistines make
war against me,
and God has
departed from me,
and answers me
no more, by
prophets, or by
dreams. Therefore
I have called
you, that you
may make known
to me what
I shall do.”
16 Samuel said,
“Why then do
you ask me, since
the LORD has
departed from you
and has become
your adversary?
17 The
LORD has done
to you as
he spoke by
me. The LORD
has torn the
kingdom out of
your hand and
given it to
your neighbor,
even to David.
18 Because
you didn’t obey
the LORD’s voice,
and didn’t execute
his fierce wrath
on Amalek,
therefore the LORD
has done this
thing to you
today.
19 Moreover
the LORD will
deliver Israel
also with you
into the hand
of the Philistines;
and tomorrow you
and your sons
will be with
me. The LORD
will deliver the
army of Israel
also into the
hand of the
Philistines.”
20 Then
Saul fell
immediately his
full length on
the earth, and was
terrified, because
of Samuel’s words.
There was no
strength in him,
for he had eaten
no bread all
day long or
all night long.
21 The woman
came to Saul
and saw that
he was very
troubled, and said
to him, “Behold,
your servant has
listened to your
voice, and I
have put my
life in my
hand, and have
listened to your
words which you
spoke to me.
22 Now
therefore, please
listen also to
the voice of
your servant, and
let me set
a morsel of
bread before you.
Eat, that you
may have strength
when you go
on your way.”
23 But
he refused, and
said, “I will
not eat.” But his
servants, together
with the woman, constrained
him; and he
listened to their
voice. So he
arose from
the earth and sat
on the bed.
24 The
woman had a
fattened calf in
the house. She
hurried and killed
it; and she took
flour and kneaded
it, and baked
unleavened bread
of it.
25 She
brought it before
Saul and before
his servants, and
they ate. Then
they rose up
and went away
that night.