5
When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was terrified,
6
and so he asked the Lord what to do. But the Lord did not answer him at all, either by dreams or by the use of Urim and Thummim or by prophets.
1
7
Then Saul ordered his officials, "Find me a woman who is a medium, and I will go and consult her." "There is one in Endor," they answered.
8
So Saul disguised himself; he put on different clothes, and after dark he went with two of his men to see the woman. "Consult the spirits for me and tell me what is going to happen," he said to her. "Call up the spirit of the man I name."
9
The woman answered, "Surely you know what King Saul has done, how he forced the fortunetellers and mediums to leave Israel. Why, then, are you trying to trap me and get me killed?"
10
Then Saul made a sacred vow. "By the living Lord I promise that you will not be punished for doing this," he told her.
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"Whom shall I call up for you?" the woman asked.
2 "Samuel," he answered.
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When the woman saw Samuel, she screamed and said to Saul, "Why have you tricked me? You are King Saul!"
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"Don't be afraid!" the king said to her. "What do you see?" "I see a spirit coming up from the earth," she answered.
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"What does it look like?" he asked. "It's an old man coming up," she answered. "He is wearing a cloak." Then Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed to the ground in respect.
15
Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you disturbed me? Why did you make me come back?" Saul answered, "I am in great trouble! The Philistines are at war with me, and God has abandoned me. He doesn't answer me any more, either by prophets or by dreams. And so I have called you, for you to tell me what I must do."