The Philistines gather to fight Israel, and Saul, afraid and with God silent, consults a medium at Endor. She brings up Samuel, who tells Saul that he and his sons will die in battle the next day.
1 And it came to pass in those days , that the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare , to fight with Israel . And Achish said unto David , Know thou assuredly , that thou shalt go out with me to battle , thou and thy men .
2 And David said to Achish , Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do . And Achish said to David , Therefore will I make thee keeper of mine head for ever .
3 Now Samuel was dead , and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah , even in his own city . And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits , and the wizards , out of the land .
4 And the Philistines gathered themselves together , and came and pitched in Shunem : and Saul gathered all Israel together , and they pitched in Gilboa .
5 And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines , he was afraid , and his heart greatly trembled .
6 And when Saul enquired of the LORD , the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams , nor by Urim , nor by prophets .
7 Then said Saul unto his servants , Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit , that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor .
8 And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment , and he went , and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night : and he said , I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit , and bring me him up , whom I shall name unto thee.
9 And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done , how he hath cut off those that have familiar spirits , and the wizards , out of the land : wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life , to cause me to die ?
10 And Saul sware to her by the LORD , saying , As the LORD liveth , there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing .
11 Then said the woman , Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said , Bring me up Samuel .
12 And when the woman saw Samuel , she cried with a loud voice : and the woman spake to Saul , saying , Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul .
13 And the king said unto her, Be not afraid : for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul , I saw gods ascending out of the earth .
14 And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said , An old man cometh up ; and he is covered with a mantle . And Saul perceived that it was Samuel , and he stooped with his face to the ground , and bowed himself.
15 And Samuel said to Saul , Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up ? And Saul answered , I am sore distressed ; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets , nor by dreams : therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do .
16 Then said Samuel , Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy ?
17 And the LORD hath done to him, as he spake by me : for the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand , and given it to thy neighbour , even to David :
18 Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the LORD , nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek , therefore hath the LORD done this thing unto thee this day .
19 Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines : and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines .
20 Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth , and was sore afraid , because of the words of Samuel : and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day , nor all the night .
21 And the woman came unto Saul , and saw that he was sore troubled , and said unto him, Behold, thine handmaid hath obeyed thy voice , and I have put my life in my hand , and have hearkened unto thy words which thou spakest unto me.
22 Now therefore, I pray thee, hearken thou also unto the voice of thine handmaid , and let me set a morsel of bread before thee; and eat , that thou mayest have strength , when thou goest on thy way .
23 But he refused , and said , I will not eat . But his servants , together with the woman , compelled him; and he hearkened unto their voice . So he arose from the earth , and sat upon the bed .
24 And the woman had a fat calf in the house ; and she hasted , and killed it, and took flour , and kneaded it, and did bake unleavened bread thereof:
25 And she brought it before Saul , and before his servants ; and they did eat . Then they rose up , and went away that night .