1 In those days the Philistines gathered their forces for war against Israel. Achish said to David, “Know for certain that you and your men will go out with me in the army.” 2 David said to Achish, “Then you will know what your servant will do.” Achish said to David, “Then I will make you my bodyguard for life.”

3 Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. Saul had removed the mediums and spiritists from the land. 4 The Philistines gathered and came to camp 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 inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams, by Urim or by prophets. 7 So Saul said to his servants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so that I may go to her and inquire of her.” His servants said to him, “There is a woman who is a medium at En-dor.” 8 Saul disguised himself, put on other clothes and went with two men. They came to the woman at night, and he said, “Please divine for me through a spirit, and bring up for me the one I name to you.” 9 The woman said to him, “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 life to have me put to death?” 10 Saul swore to her by the LORD, “As the LORD lives, no punishment will come upon you for this.” 11 Then the woman asked, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” He said, “Bring up Samuel for me.” 12 When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice and said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!” 13 The king said to her, “Do not be afraid. What have you seen?” The woman said to Saul, “I have seen gods coming up out of the earth.” 14 He asked her, “What does he look like?” She said, “An old man is coming up, wrapped in a robe.” Saul knew it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground and paid homage.

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 through prophets or dreams. So I have 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 for himself what he spoke through me. The LORD has torn the kingdom from your hand and given it to your neighbor, to David. 18 Because you did not obey the LORD’s voice or carry out his fierce anger against Amalek, the LORD has done this to you today. 19 The LORD will also deliver Israel along with you into the hand of the Philistines. Tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The LORD will also deliver the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.” 20 At once Saul fell full length on the ground, greatly afraid because of Samuel’s words. He also had no strength, for he had eaten no food all that day and all that night. 21 The woman came to Saul and saw that he was greatly terrified. She said to him, “Your servant has obeyed your voice. I put my life in my hand and listened to the words you spoke to me. 22 Now please listen to your servant’s voice as well. Let me set a little bread before you, and eat, so that you will have strength when you go on your way.” 23 He refused and said, “I will not eat.” But his servants and the woman 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 in the house, and she hurried to slaughter it. She took flour, kneaded it and baked unleavened bread. 25 She served it to Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they got up and went away that night.