1 Samuel 28:1-18 ▼

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

2 And David said to Achish, “Surely you know what your servant can do.” And Achish said to David, “Therefore I am appointing you the keeper of my head all the days.”

3 And Samuel had died, and all Israel had lamented for him and buried him in Ramah, even in his city. And Saul had put the mediums and the spiritists out of the land.

4 And the Philistines gathered together, and they came and encamped at Shunem. And Saul gathered together all Israel, and they encamped at Gilboa.

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

6 And Saul inquired of YHWH, and YHWH did not answer him either by dreams or by the Urim or by the prophets.

7 And Saul said to his servants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” And his servants said to him, “Behold, a woman of a mistress a familiar spirit is at Endor.”

8 And Saul disguised himself and put on other clothes, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night. And he said, “Please divine for me the familiar spirit, and bring up for me whom I say to you.”

9 And the woman said to him, “Behold, you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off the mediums and the spiritists from the land. And why do you lay a snare for my life to cause me to die?”

10 And Saul swore to her by YHWH, saying, “As YHWH lives, punishment shall not come upon you for this thing.”

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

12 And the woman saw Samuel, and she cried out in 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 have seen a god ascending out of the earth.”

14 And he said to her, “What is his form?” And she said, “An old man is coming 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 down.

15 And Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” And Saul answered, deeply “I am distressed, for the Philistines are fighting against me, and God has departed from me and does not answer me anymore, neither by the prophets nor by dreams. And I have called to you, that you may reveal to me what I should do.”

16 And Samuel said, “And why do you ask me, since YHWH has turned aside from you and has become your enemy?

17 And YHWH has done for Himself as He spoke by me, for YHWH has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor—to David.

18 Because you did not obey the voice of YHWH nor kill His fierce wrath upon Amalek, upon thus this thing YHWH has done to you this day.