1 Samuel 28
1 In those days the Philistines gathered their troops for war, to fight against Israel. Achish said to David, “Know for certain that you and your men will go out with me to the camp.”
2 David answered Achish, “Then you will know what your servant can do.” Achish said to David, “Then I will make you the guardian of my head for all time.”
3 Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his city. Saul had driven from the land those who consulted the dead and the mediums.
4 The Philistines gathered, came, and camped at Shunem. Saul gathered all Israel, and they camped at Gilboa.
5 When Saul saw the Philistine camp, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly.
6 Saul consulted the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams, by the Urim, or by the prophets.
7 Then Saul said to his servants, “Find me a woman who consults the dead, so I can go to her and inquire of her.” His servants answered, “There is a woman who consults the dead at En-dor.”
8 Saul disguised himself, put on different clothes, and went with two men. They came to the woman at night, and he said, “Consult the spirit of the dead for me, and bring up for me the one I name to you.”
9 The woman said to him, “You surely know what Saul has done, how he eliminated from the land those who consult the dead and the mediums. Why are you setting a trap for my life, to have me killed?”
10 Saul swore to her by the LORD: “As surely as the LORD lives, no guilt will come upon you for this.”
11 The woman asked, “Whom should I bring up for you?” He answered, “Bring Samuel up for me.”
12 When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out loudly and said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!”
13 The king said to her, “Do not be afraid. What did you see?” The woman answered Saul, “I saw divine beings coming up from the earth.”
14 He asked, “What does he look like?” She answered, “An old man is coming up, wrapped in a robe.” Saul understood that it was Samuel. He bowed with his face to the ground and prostrated himself.
15 Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Saul answered, “I am in great distress. The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has turned away from me. He no longer answers me, either through the prophets or by dreams. That is why I called you, to tell me what I should do.”
16 Samuel said, “Why do you ask me, since the LORD has turned away from you and become your adversary?
17 The LORD has done to him what he spoke through me: the LORD has torn the kingdom from your hand and given it to your neighbor, David.
18 Because you did not obey the voice of the LORD or carry out his burning anger against Amalek, the LORD has done this to you today.
19 The LORD will also hand Israel over, along with you, to the Philistines. Tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The LORD will also hand Israel’s camp over to the Philistines.”
20 At once Saul fell full length on the ground, terrified by Samuel’s words. He was also weak, because he had eaten no bread all day and all night.
21 The woman came to Saul and saw that he was greatly shaken. She said to him, “Look, your servant listened to you. I risked my life and obeyed the words you spoke to me.
22 Now you, too, listen to your servant. I will set a piece of bread before you. Eat, so you will have strength for your journey.”
23 He refused and said, “I will not eat.” But his servants and the woman also urged him, and he listened to them. He got up from the ground and sat on the bed.
24 The woman had a fattened calf at home. She hurried to slaughter it, took flour, kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread.
25 She set it before Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they got up and left that very night.
Read and listen to this chapter in the Shalem app, free: narration, chapter video and reading progress. Get the app