1 Samuel Chapter 28
Saul Consults the Medium at En-dor
1 At that time, the Philistines gathered their armed camps to fight Israel. Achish told David, “You can be sure that you and your men will go out with me in the camp.”
2 “All right, you’ll find out what I can do.”
“I’ll make you my bodyguard for life.”
3 Samuel was dead, and Israel had mourned him and buried him in Ramah, his own town. Saul had removed the mediums and spiritists from the land. 4 The Philistines gathered and camped in Shunem, and Saul gathered Israel and camped at Gilboa. 5 When Saul saw the Philistine camp, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. 6 When he asked Yahveh, he didn’t answer him by dreams, Urim, or prophets. 7 Saul told his advisors, “Find a medium so I can go ask through her.” They told him, “There’s a woman in En-dor.”
1 Sam 28:1-7
8 Saul disguised himself in different clothes and went to her with two men at night and said, “Conjure up for me and bring up the one I name.”
9 “Surely you know Saul has expelled the mediums and spiritists from the land. Why lay a trap to get me killed?”
10 Saul swore by Yahveh, “As sure as Yahveh lives, you won’t be punished.”
11 “Who do you want me to bring up?”
“Samuel.”
12 When she saw Samuel, she cried out, “Why have you misled me? You’re Saul.”
13 “Don’t be afraid; what do you see?”
“A god coming out of the ground.”
14 “What’s he look like?”
“An old man, wearing a robe.”
Saul knew it was Samuel and bowed to the ground in homage.
1 Sam 28:8-14
15 Samuel said, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?”
“I’m greatly distressed. The Philistines are waging war against me. God has left me and doesn’t answer me anymore by prophets or dreams. I’ve called you to tell me what I should do.”
16 “Why ask me since Yahveh has become your adversary? 17 He’s done what he said through me: he’s torn the kingdom from you and given it to David. 18 As you didn’t carry out his fierce anger on Amalek, so he has done this to you today. 19 He’ll deliver you and Israel’s army to the Philistines. Tomorrow you and your sons will be with me!”
1 Sam 28:15-19
20 Saul fell headlong on the floor terrified. There wasn’t any strength in him; he hadn’t eaten anything all day and all night. 21 The woman came and saw he was terrified. She said,
“I’ve done what you asked. I’ve taken my life in my hands and listened to you. 22 Let me fix you some bread so you can have strength when you leave.”
23 “I’ll don’t want anything.”
But she and his advisors kept urging him, so he gave in, got up off the floor, and sat on the bed.
24 The woman had a grain-fed calf in the house. She hurried and butchered it, kneaded flour, and baked bread without yeast. 25 She brought it to Saul and his men to eat. He got up and left.
1 Sam 28:20-25