1 Samuel 28
1 Now in those days the Philistines gathered their forces for warfare against Israel. So Achish said to David, “You must understand that you and your men are to go out to battle with me.”
Around that time the Philistines called up their armies to go to war against Israel. So Achish told David, “You do realize that you and your men must accompany me as part of the army.”
2 David replied, “Then you will come to know what your servant can do.” “Very well,” said Achish. “I will make you my bodyguard for life.”
“That's fine!” David replied. “Then you yourself will discover what I, your servant, can do.” “That's fine too,” Achish responded. “I'll make you my bodyguard for life.”
3 Now by this time Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had removed the mediums and spiritists from the land.
By now Samuel had died, and all of Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his home town. Saul had got rid of mediums and spiritists from the country.
4 The Philistines came together and camped at Shunem, while Saul gathered all Israel and camped at Gilboa.
The Philistine armies gathered and set up camp at Shunem. Saul called up all the Israelite army and set up camp at Gilboa.
5 When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid and trembled violently.
When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was terrified, shaking with fear.
6 He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets.
He asked advice from the Lord, but the Lord didn't answer him either by dreams or by Urim or by prophets.
7 Then Saul said to his servants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so I can go and consult her.” “There is a medium at Endor,” his servants replied.
So Saul told his officers, “Find me a woman who is a medium so I can go and ask her advice.” “There's a woman who is a medium at Endor,” his officers replied.
8 So Saul disguised himself by putting on different clothes, and he set out with two of his men. They came to the woman at night, and Saul said, “Consult a spirit for me. Bring up for me the one I name.”
Saul disguised himself by wearing different clothes. He went with two of his men to the woman at night. Saul told her, “Bring up a spirit for me so I can ask some questions. I'll give you the name.”
9 But the woman replied, “Surely you know what Saul has done, how he has killed the mediums and spiritists in the land. Why have you set a trap to get me killed?”
“Don't you know what Saul has done,” she replied. “He's got rid of the mediums and spiritists from the country. Are you trying to set a trap for me and get me killed?”
10 Then Saul swore to her by the LORD: “As surely as the LORD lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this.”
Saul swore an oath to her by the Lord, “As the Lord lives, you won't be held guilty for doing this.”
11 “Whom shall I bring up for you?” the woman asked. “Bring up Samuel,” he replied.
“Who do you want me to bring up for you?” the woman asked. “Bring up Samuel,” he replied.
12 But when the woman saw Samuel, she cried out in a loud voice and said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!”
But when the woman saw Samuel, she shouted loudly, and said to Saul, “Why have you tricked me? You're Saul!”
13 “Do not be afraid,” the king replied. “What do you see?” “I see a god coming up out of the earth,” the woman answered.
“Don't be scared,” The king told her. “What can you see?” “I see a god coming up out of the ground,” the woman replied.
14 “What does he look like?” asked Saul. “An old man is coming up,” she replied. “And he is wearing a robe.” So Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed facedown in reverence.
“What does he look like?” Saul asked. “An old man is coming up,” she replied. “He has a robe wrapped around him” Saul thought it must be Samuel, and he bowed facedown in respect.
15 Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” “I am deeply distressed,” replied Saul. “The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has turned away from me. He no longer answers me, either by prophets or by dreams. So I have called on you to tell me what to do.”
Samuel said to Saul, “Why are you bothering me by bringing me up?” “I'm in terrible trouble,” Saul replied. “The Philistines are attacking me, and God has abandoned me. He doesn't answer me anymore, either by prophets or by dreams. That's why I have called you up so you tell me what to do.”
16 “Why do you consult me,” asked Samuel, “since the LORD has turned away from you and become your enemy?
“Why come and ask me when the Lord has abandoned you and has become your enemy?” Samuel asked.
17 He has done exactly what He spoke through me: The LORD has torn the kingship out of your hand and given it to your neighbor David.
“The Lord has done to you exactly what he said through me, for Lord has ripped the kingdom from you and has given it to your neighbor, David.
18 Because you did not obey the LORD or carry out His burning anger against Amalek, the LORD has done this to you today.
The Lord has done this to you today because you did not do what the Lord commanded and you did not execute his furious anger on the Amalekites.
19 Moreover, the LORD will deliver Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. And the LORD will deliver the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.”
The Lord will hand over Israel and you yourself to the Philistines. Tomorrow you and your sons will die and be with me. The Lord will also hand over the Israelite army of Israel to the Philistines.”
20 Immediately Saul fell flat on the ground, terrified by the words of Samuel. And his strength was gone, because he had not eaten anything all that day and night.
Saul collapsed face down on the ground, terrified at what Samuel had said. He had no strength, because he hadn't eaten anything all that day and night.
21 When the woman came to Saul and saw how distraught he was, she said to him, “Look, your maidservant has obeyed your voice. I took my life in my hands and did as you told me.
The woman came over to Saul and saw that he was absolutely terrified. She told him, “Look, sir, I did what you asked. I risked my life and did what you told me.
22 Now please listen to your servant and let me set a morsel of bread before you so you may eat and have the strength to go on your way.”
Now please do what I tell you. Let me bring you a little bit of food. Eat it, and you'll have the strength to go on your way.”
23 Saul refused, saying, “I will not eat.” But his servants joined the woman in urging him, and he heeded their voice. He got up from the ground and sat on the bed.
But he refused, saying, “I can't eat anything.” But his men and the woman encouraged him to eat, and he did what they said. He got up from the ground and sat on the bed.
24 The woman had a fattened calf at her house, and she quickly slaughtered it. She also took flour, kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread.
The woman had a fattened calf at the house, and she quickly went and slaughtered it. She also got some flour, kneaded it, and baked some unleavened bread.
25 She served it to Saul and his servants, and they ate. And that night they got up and left.
She served the meal to Saul and his men, and they ate it. Then they got up and left, the same night.
