1 Samuel
28:1 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.
28:2 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.
28:3 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.
28:4 And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched
in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in
Gilboa.
28:5 And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his
heart greatly trembled.
28:6 And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither
by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.
28:7 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.
28:8 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.
28:9 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?
28:10 And Saul sware to her by the LORD, saying, As the LORD liveth, there
shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.
28:11 Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring
me up Samuel.
28:12 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.
28:13 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.
28:14 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.
28:15 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.
28:16 Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is
departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?
28:17 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:
28:18 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.
28:19 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.
28:20 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.
28:21 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.
28:22 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.
28:23 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.
28:24 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:
28:25 And she brought it before Saul, and before his servants; and they did
eat. Then they rose up, and went away that night.
