1 Now it came about in thosedays that 1the Philistinesgathered their armed camps for war, to fight against Israel. And Achishsaid to David, "Knowassuredly that you will go out with me in the camp, you and your men."
2
Davidsaid to Achish, "Verywell, you shall knowwhat your servant can do." So Achishsaid to David, "Verywell, I will make you my bodyguard*2for life*."
3
Now 3Samuel was dead, and allIsrael had lamented him and buried him 4in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had removed from the land those who 5were mediums and spiritists.
4
So the Philistinesgathered together and came and camped6in Shunem; and SaulgatheredallIsrael together and they camped in 7Gilboa.
5
When Saulsaw the camp of the Philistines, he was afraid and his hearttrembledgreatly.
6
8When Saulinquired of the LORD, 9the LORD did not answer him, either by 10dreamsor by 11Urimor by prophets.
7
Then Saulsaid to his servants, "Seek for me a woman who is a medium*, that I may go to her and inquire of her." And his servantssaid to him, "Behold, 12there is a woman who is a medium* at 13En-dor."
8
Then Saul14disguised himself by putting on otherclothes, and went, he and twomen with him, and they came to the woman by night; and he said, "15Conjure up for me, please, and 16bring up for me whom I shall name to you."
9
But the womansaid to him, "Behold, you know17whatSaul has done, how he has cutoff those who are mediums and spiritists from the land. Why are you then laying a snare for my life to bring about my death?"
10
Saulvowed to her by the LORD, saying, "As the LORDlives, nopunishment shall come upon you for thisthing."
11
Then the womansaid, "Whom shall I bring up for you?" And he said, "Bring up Samuel for me."
12
When the womansawSamuel, she cried out with a loudvoice; and the womanspoke to Saul, saying, "Why have you deceived me? For you are Saul."
13
The kingsaid to her, "Do not be afraid; but what do you see?" And the womansaid to Saul, "I see a divinebeingcoming up out of the earth."
14
He said to her, "What is his form?" And she said, "An oldman is coming up, and 18he is wrapped with a robe." And Saulknew that it was Samuel, and 19he bowed with his face to the ground and did homage.
15
Then Samuelsaid to Saul, "Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?" And Saulanswered, "I am greatlydistressed; for the Philistines are wagingwar against me, and 20God has departed from me and 21nolongeranswers me, eitherthroughprophetsor by dreams; therefore I have called you, that you may makeknown to me what I should do."
16
Samuelsaid, "Why then do you ask me, since the LORD has departed from you and has become your adversary?
17
"The LORD has doneaccordingly22as He spokethrough me; for the LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, to David.
18
"As 23you did not obey* the LORD and did not execute His fiercewrath on Amalek, so* the LORD has donethisthing to you thisday.
19
"Moreover the LORD will alsogive over Israelalong with you into the hands of the Philistines, therefore tomorrow24you and your sons will be with me. Indeed the LORD will give over the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines!"
20
Then Saulimmediatelyfellfulllength upon the ground and was veryafraidbecause of the words of Samuel; also there was nostrength in him, for he had eatennofoodallday and allnight.
21
The womancame to Saul and saw that he was terrified, and said to him, "Behold, your maidservant has obeyed* you, and 25I have taken my life in my hand and have listened to your wordswhich you spoke to me.
22
"So nowalso, pleaselisten to the voice of your maidservant, and let me set a piece of breadbefore you that you may eat and havestrengthwhen you go on your way."
23
But he refused and said, "26I will not eat." 27However, his servantstogether with the womanurged him, and he listened to them. So he arose from the ground and sat on 28the bed.
24
The woman had a 29fattenedcalf in the house, and she quicklyslaughtered it; and she 30tookflour, kneaded it and bakedunleavenedbread from it.
25
She brought it beforeSaul and his servants, and they ate. Then they arose and went away that night.