1 Samuel 28

1 In those days the Philistines gathered their armies together to go out and make war on Israel. And Achish said to David, “Know for certain that you will go out to battle with me, you and your men.” 2 And David said to Achish, “Then you will know for yourself what your servant will do.” And Achish said to David, “Then I will make you the chief of my bodyguard, for as long as I live.”

3 Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramathaim, in his own city. And Saul had cleared out of the land those who consult the dead and those who know secrets. [a] 4 And the Philistines gathered and came and camped at Shunem; and Saul gathered all the men of Israel, and they camped at Gilboa. [b] 5 When Saul saw the camp of the Philistines he was afraid, and his heart shook badly. 6 And Saul asked of the Lord, and the Lord did not answer him — not by dreams, not by the clear signs, not by the prophets. [c]

7 Then Saul said to his servants, “Find me a woman who consults the dead, and I will go to her and inquire of her.” And his servants said to him, “There is a woman who consults the dead at En-dor.” 8 So Saul covered himself over and put on other clothes, and he went, he and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night. And he said to her, “Consult the dead for me, I ask you, and bring up for me the one I name to you.” [d] 9 And the woman said to him, “You know what Saul has done — how he destroyed out of the land those who consult the dead and those who know secrets. Why are you laying a snare for my life, to have me put to death?” 10 And Saul swore to her, saying, “As the Lord lives, no harm will come to you over this.”

11 And the woman said, “Whom shall I bring up to you?” And he said, “Bring Samuel up to me.” 12 And the woman saw Samuel, and she cried out with a loud voice. And the woman said to Saul, “Why have you tricked me? You are Saul!” † 13 And the king said to her, “Do not be afraid. Tell me what you have seen.” And she said to him, “I have seen gods coming up out of the earth.” [e] 14 And he said to her, “What did you make out?” And she said to him, “An upright man coming up out of the earth, and he is wrapped in a folded cloak.” And Saul knew that this was Samuel, and he bent down with his face to the ground and bowed down to him. [f] †

15 And Samuel said, “Why have you disturbed me, to bring me up?” And Saul said, “I am in great distress. The Philistines are making war on me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no longer, not by the hand of the prophets and not by dreams. So I have called you to make known to me what I should do.” † 16 And Samuel said, “Why do you ask me, when the Lord has turned away from you and gone over to your neighbor? [g] 17 The Lord has done to you as he spoke by my hand: the Lord will tear the kingdom out of your hand and give it to your neighbor, to David — 18 because you did not listen to the voice of the Lord and did not carry out his burning anger against Amalek. That is why the Lord has done this thing to you today. 19 And the Lord will give Israel with you into the hands of the Philistines; and tomorrow you and your sons with you will fall, and the Lord will give the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines.” [h] 20 And Saul fell at once full length on the ground, and he was very afraid at the words of Samuel; and there was no strength left in him, for he had eaten no bread all that day and all that night. [i]

21 And the woman came in to Saul and saw that he was badly shaken, and she said to him, “Look — your slave has listened to your voice. I took my life in my hand, and I listened to the words you spoke to me. 22 So now, listen, I ask you, to the voice of your slave. Let me set a piece of bread in front of you; and eat, and there will be strength in you, for you will be going on your way.” 23 But he refused to eat. And his servants pressed him, and the woman too, and he listened to their voice and got up from the ground and sat on the stool. 24 The woman had a grazing heifer in the house, and she hurried and killed it; and she took flour and kneaded it and baked bread without yeast. [j] 25 And she brought it in front of Saul and in front of his servants, and they ate. Then they got up and went away that night.