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.
