1 Samuel 28
1 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.”
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 “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.”
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 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.
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 The Philistine armies gathered and set up camp at Shunem. Saul called up all the Israelite army and set up camp at Gilboa.
And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa.
5 When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was terrified, shaking with fear.
And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled.
6 He asked advice from the Lord, but the Lord didn't answer him either by dreams or by Urim or by prophets.
And when Saul inquired of YHWH, YHWH answered him not, neither by dreams nor by Urim, nor by prophets.
7 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.
Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and inquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.
8 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.”
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 “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?”
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 Saul swore an oath to her by the Lord, “As the Lord lives, you won't be held guilty for doing this.”
And Saul sware to her by YHWH, saying, As YHWH liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.
11 “Who do you want me to bring up for you?” the woman asked. “Bring up Samuel,” he replied.
Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.
12 But when the woman saw Samuel, she shouted loudly, and said to Saul, “Why have you tricked me? You're Saul!”
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 “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.
And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw Elohim ascending out of the earth.
14 “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.
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 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.”
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 Elohim 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 “Why come and ask me when the Lord has abandoned you and has become your enemy?” Samuel asked.
Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing YHWH is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?
17 “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.
And YHWH hath done to him, as he spake by me: for YHWH hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, even to David:
18 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.
Because thou obeyedst not the voice of YHWH, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath YHWH done this thing unto thee this day.
19 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.”
Moreover YHWH will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: YHWH also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.
20 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.
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 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.
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 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.”
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, 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.
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 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.
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 She served the meal to Saul and his men, and they ate it. Then they got up and left, the same night.
And she brought it before Saul, and before his servants; and they did eat. Then they rose up, and went away that night.
