1 Now it came about in those days that A1 Sam 29:1the Philistines gathered their armed camps for war, to fight against Israel. And Achish said to David, “Know assuredly that you will go out with me in the camp, you and your men.” 2 David said to Achish, “Very well, you shall know what your servant can do.” So Achish said to David, “Very well, I will make you 1Lit keeper of my headmy bodyguard A1 Sam 1:22, 28for life.”

3 Now A1 Sam 25:1Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him and buried him B1 Sam 7:17in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had removed from the land those who CLev 19:31; 20:27; Deut 18:10; 1 Sam 15:23were mediums and spiritists. 4 So the Philistines gathered together and came and camped AJosh 19:18; 1 Sam 28:4; 1 Kin 1:3; 2 Kin 4:8in Shunem; and Saul gathered all Israel together and they camped in B1 Sam 31:1Gilboa. 5 When Saul saw the camp of the Philistines, he was afraid and his heart trembled greatly. 6 A1 Chr 10:13, 14When Saul inquired of the Loʀᴅ, B1 Sam 14:37; Prov 1:24-31the Loʀᴅ did not answer him, either by CNum 12:6; Joel 2:28dreams or by DEx 28:30; Num 27:21Urim or by prophets. 7 Then Saul said to his servants, “Seek for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” And his servants said to him, “Behold, AActs 16:16there is a woman who is a medium at BJosh 17:11; Ps 83:10En-dor.”

8 Then Saul A2 Chr 18:29; 35:22disguised himself by putting on other clothes, and went, he and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night; and he said, “B1 Chr 10:13; Is 8:19Conjure up for me, please, and CDeut 18:10, 11bring up for me whom I shall 1Lit sayname to you.” 9 But the woman said to him, “Behold, you know A1 Sam 28:3what Saul has done, how he has cut off those who are mediums and spiritists from the land. Why are you then laying a snare for my life to bring about my death?” 10 Saul vowed to her by the Loʀᴅ, saying, “As the Loʀᴅ lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this thing.” 11 Then the woman said, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” And he said, “Bring up Samuel for me.” 12 When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out 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, “Do not be afraid; but what do you see?” And the woman said to Saul, “I see a 1Or goddivine being coming up out of the earth.” 14 He said to her, “What is his form?” And she said, “An old man is coming up, and A1 Sam 15:27he is wrapped with a robe.” And Saul knew that it was Samuel, and B1 Sam 24:8he bowed with his face to the ground and did homage.

15 Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” And Saul answered, “I am greatly distressed; for the Philistines are waging war against me, and A1 Sam 16:14; 18:12God has departed from me and B1 Sam 28:6no longer answers me, either through prophets or by dreams; therefore I have called you, that you may make known to me what I should do.” 16 Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since the Loʀᴅ has departed from you and has become your adversary? 17  “The Loʀᴅ has done 1Lit for himselfaccordingly A1 Sam 15:28as He spoke through me; for the Loʀᴅ has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, to David. 18  “As A1 Sam 15:20, 26; 1 Kin 20:42you did not 1Lit listen to the voice ofobey the Loʀᴅ and did not execute His fierce wrath on Amalek, so the Loʀᴅ has done this thing to you this day. 19  “Moreover the Loʀᴅ will also give over Israel along with you into the hands of the Philistines, therefore tomorrow A1 Sam 31:2; Job 3:17-19you and your sons will be with me. Indeed the Loʀᴅ will give over the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines!”

20 Then Saul immediately fell full length upon the ground and was very afraid because of the words of Samuel; also there was no strength in him, for he had eaten no 1Lit breadfood all day and all night. 21 The woman came to Saul and saw that he was terrified, and said to him, “Behold, your maidservant has 1Lit listened to your voiceobeyed you, and AJudg 12:3; 1 Sam 19:5; Job 13:14I have 2Lit puttaken my life in my hand and have listened to your words which you spoke to me. 22  “So now also, please listen to the voice of your maidservant, and let me set a piece of bread before you that you may eat and have strength when you go on your way.” 23 But he refused and said, “A1 Kin 21:4I will not eat.” B2 Kin 5:13However, his servants together with the woman urged him, and he listened to 1Lit their voicesthem. So he arose from the ground and sat on CEsth 1:6; Ezek 23:41the bed. 24 The woman had a AGen 18:7; Luke 15:23, 27, 30fattened calf in the house, and she quickly slaughtered it; and she BGen 18:6took flour, kneaded it and baked unleavened bread from it. 25 She brought it before Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they arose and went away that night.