1
And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistinesgathered their armiestogether for warfare, to fight with Israel. And Achishsaid unto David,Know thou assuredly , that thou shalt go out with me to battle, thou and thy men.
2
And Davidsaid to Achish,Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do . And Achishsaid 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 Saulgathered all Israeltogether , and they pitched in Gilboa.
5
And when Saulsaw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid , and his heartgreatlytrembled .
6
And when Saulenquired of the LORD, the LORDanswered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.
7
Then saidSaul unto his servants,Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servantssaid to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.
8
And Sauldisguised himself, and put onotherraiment, and he went , and twomen 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 womansaid 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 Saulsware to her by the LORD,saying , As the LORDliveth, there shall no punishmenthappen to thee for this thing.
11
Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said , Bring me upSamuel.
12
And when the womansawSamuel, she cried with a loudvoice: and the womanspake to Saul,saying , Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul.
13
And the kingsaid unto her, Be not afraid : for what sawest thou? And the womansaid unto Saul, I sawgodsascending out of the earth.
14
And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said , An oldman cometh up ; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saulperceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself.
15
And Samuelsaid to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up ? And Saulanswered , I am soredistressed ; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither byprophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do .
16
Then saidSamuel, 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 fiercewrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the LORDdone this thing unto thee this day.
19
Moreover the LORD will also deliverIsrael 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 Saulfellstraightwayallalong on the earth, and was soreafraid , 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 womancame unto Saul, and saw that he was soretroubled , 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 breadbefore 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 fatcalf in the house; and she hasted , and killed it, and tookflour, and kneaded it, and did bake unleavened bread thereof:
25
And she brought it beforeSaul, and before his servants; and they did eat . Then they rose up , and went away that night.