I Samuel 28

1. And in those days it came to pass that the Philistines gathered their armies for war to fight with Israel. And Achish said to David, “You surely know that you shall go with me to battle, you and your men.”

2. And David said to Achish, “Surely you shall know what your servant can do.” And Achish said to David, “And I will make you my bodyguard forever.”

3. And Samuel was dead, and all Israel had mourned him and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those who divined by spirits and the wizards out of the land.

4. And the Philistines gathered themselves and came and pitched in Shunem. And Saul gathered all Israel and they pitched in Gilboa.

5. And Saul saw the army of the Philistines and he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled.

6 And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.

7. And Saul said to his servants, “Seek me a woman who divines by spirits, so that I may go to her and inquire of her.” And his servant said to him, “Behold, there is a woman who is a witch at En Dor.”

8. And Saul disguised himself and put on other clothing. Then he went and two men went with him. And they came to the woman by night. And he said, “Please divine for me and call up the dead, and bring me up the man whom I shall name to you.”

9. And the woman said to him, “Behold, you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off diviners and the spiritknowers out of the land. Why then do you lay a snare for my life to cause me to die?”

10. And Saul swore to her by the LORD, saying, “As the LORD lives, there shall no punishment happen to you for this thing.”

11. And the woman said, “Whom shall I bring up to you?” And he said, “Bring me up Samuel.”

12. And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice. And the woman spoke to Saul, saying, “Why have you deceived me? For you are Saul!”

13. And the king said to her, “Do not be afraid, for what did you see?” And the woman said to Saul, “I saw a spirit coming up out of the earth.”

14. And he said to her, “What is his form?” And she said, “An old man comes up, and he is covered with a cloak.” And Saul saw that it was Samuel, and he bowed his face to the ground and prostrated himself.

15. And Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me to bring me up?” And Saul answered, “I am grievously distressed, for the Philistines are warring against me. And God has left me and does not answer me any more, neither by prophets nor by dreams. Now I have called you so that you may make known to me what I should do.”

16. And Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me since the LORD has left you and has become your enemy?

17. And the LORD has done for Himself as He spoke by me, for the LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and is giving it to your neighbor, even to David,

18. Because you did not obey the voice of the LORD, nor execute his fierce wrath upon Amalek; therefore, the LORD has done this thing unto you now.

19. And the LORD will also deliver Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines. And tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me. The LORD also shall deliver the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.”

20. And Saul immediately fell headlong on the earth, and was sorely afraid because of the words of Samuel. And there was no strength in him, for he had eaten no bread all day nor all night.

21. And the woman came to Saul and saw that he was sorely troubled, and said to him, “Behold, your handmaid has obeyed your voice, and I have put my life in my hand, and have listened to your words which you spoke to me.

22. And now please listen also to the voice of your handmaid, and let me set a bit of bread before you and eat, so that you may have strength when you go on your way.”

23. But he refused, and said, “I will not eat.” But his servants compelled him, and the woman also. And he listened to their voices and arose from the earth and sat upon the bed.

24. And the woman had a fat calf at the house. And she hurried and killed it, and took flour and kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread with it.

25. And she brought it before Saul and before his servants. And they ate, and rose up and went away that night.