1 Samuel - 28

1 - 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 - 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 - 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 Saul - gathered all Israel - together, and they pitched in Gilboa.

5 - And when Saul - saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled.

6 - And when Saul - enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.

7 - Then said Saul - unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.

8 - 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 - 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 - And Saul - sware to her by the LORD, saying, As the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.

11 - Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel - .

12 - 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 - And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul - , I saw gods ascending out of the earth.

14 - 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 - 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 God 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 - Then said Samuel - , 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 fierce wrath upon Amalek - , therefore hath the LORD done this thing unto thee this day.

19 - Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel - 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 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 - 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 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, 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 fat calf in the house; and she hasted, and killed it, and took flour, and kneaded it, and did bake unleavened bread thereof:

25 - And she brought it before Saul - , and before his servants; and they did eat. Then they rose up, and went away that night.