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.
