1In those days the Philistines gathered their forces for war against Israel. Achish said to David, “You understand, of course, that you and your men will march out with me in the army.” 2David said to Achish, “Then you will see for yourself what your servant can do.” Achish said to David, “Very well — I will make you my bodyguard for life.”
Saul Consults the Medium of En-dor
3Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own town. And Saul had removed the mediums and spiritists from the land. 4The Philistines gathered and came and camped at Shunem, while Saul gathered all Israel and camped at Gilboa. 5When Saul saw the Philistine camp, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. 6He inquired of Yahweh, but Yahweh did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets. 7So Saul said to his servants, “Find me a woman who consults the spirits of the dead, so I may go and inquire through her.” His servants said to him, “There is a woman at En-dor who consults the spirits of the dead.” 8So Saul disguised himself, putting on different clothes, and set out with two men. They came to the woman at night, and he said, “Consult a spirit for me — bring up for me the one I name to you.” 9The woman said to him, “You know what Saul has done — he has cut off the mediums and spiritists from the land. Why are you setting a trap for my life, to bring about my death?” 10Saul swore to her by Yahweh, “As surely as Yahweh lives, you will not be punished for this.” 11Then the woman asked, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” “Bring up Samuel for me,” he said. 12When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice, and she said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!” 13The king said to her, “Do not be afraid. What do you see?” The woman said to Saul, “I see a divine being coming up out of the ground.” 14“What does he look like?” he asked. “An old man is coming up,” she said, “wrapped in a robe.” Then Saul knew it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground and prostrated himself.
Samuel’s Final Words to Saul
15Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me, bringing me up?” Saul said, “I am in great distress. The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has turned away from me — he no longer answers me, either by prophets or by dreams. So I called on you to tell me what I should do.” 16Samuel said, “Why do you ask me, when Yahweh has turned away from you and become your enemy? 17Yahweh has done exactly as he spoke through me — Yahweh has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David. 18Because you did not obey Yahweh’s voice, and did not carry out his fierce wrath against Amalek, Yahweh has done this to you today. 19What is more, Yahweh will hand Israel, along with you, over to the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. Yahweh will also hand the army of Israel over to the Philistines.” 20Saul immediately fell full length on the ground, terrified by Samuel’s words. He had no strength left, for he had eaten nothing all day and all night. 21The woman came to Saul and saw that he was greatly shaken, and she said to him, “Look, your servant has obeyed your voice. I risked my life and did what you told me. 22Now then, please listen to your servant’s voice as well, and let me set some food before you. Eat, so that you will have strength when you go on your way.” 23But he refused, saying, “I will not eat.” His servants, along with the woman, urged him, and he finally listened to them. He got up from the ground and sat on the bed. 24The woman had a fattened calf in the house. She quickly slaughtered it, took flour, kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread from it. 25She set it before Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they got up and left that same night.
