1 In those days, the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. Achish said to David, Know you assuredly, that you shall go out with me in the army, you and your men.
2 David said to Achish, This way you shall know what your servant will do. Achish said to David, Therefore I will make you keeper of my head for ever.
3 Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, in his own city. Saul had put away those who had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land.
4 The Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and encamped in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they encamped in Gilboa.
5 When Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly.
6 When Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord didn't answer him, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.
7 Then said Saul to his servants, Find me a woman who has a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and inquire of her. His servants said to him, Look, there is a woman who has a familiar spirit at Endor.
8 Saul disguised himself, putting on different clothing, and went, he and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, Please conjure for me by the familiar spirit, and bring me up whoever I shall name to you.
9 The woman said to him, Behold, you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off those who have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land: what if you are laying a snare for my life, to cause me to die?
10 Saul swore to her by the Lord, saying, As the Lord lives, no punishment shall happen to you for this thing.
11 Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up to you? He said, Bring me up Samuel.
12 When the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice; and the woman spoke to Saul, saying, Why have you deceived me? for you are Saul.
13 The king said to her, Do not be afraid: what do you see? The woman said to Saul, I see a god coming up out of the earth.
14 He said to her, What form is he of? She said, An old man comes up; and he is covered with a robe. Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground, and did obeisance.
15 Samuel said to Saul, Why have you disturbed me, to bring me up? Saul answered, I am terribly distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God has departed from me, and doesn't answer me any more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called you, that you may make known to me what I shall do.
16 Samuel said, Why then do you ask of me, seeing the Lord is departed from you, and has become your adversary?
17 The Lord has done to you, as he spoke by me: and the Lord has torn the kingdom out of your hand, and given it to your neighbor, even to David.
18 Because you didn't obey the voice of the Lord, and didn't execute his fierce wrath on Amalek, therefore the Lord has done this thing to you this day.
19 Moreover the Lord will deliver Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines; and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me: the Lord will deliver the host of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.
20 Then Saul fell immediately his full length on the earth, and was terribly afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he hadn't eaten any bread all day and all night.
21 The woman came to Saul, and saw that he was terribly troubled, and said to him, Behold, your handmaid has listened to your voice, and I have put my life in my hand, and have listened to your words which you spoke to me.
22 Now therefore, please listen also to the voice of your handmaid, and let me set a morsel of bread before you; and eat, that you may have strength, when you go on your way.
23 But he refused, and said, I will not eat. But his servants, together with the woman, constrained him; and he listened to their voice. So he arose from the earth, and sat on the bed.
24 The woman had a fattened calf in the house; and she hurried, and killed it; and she took flour, and kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread with it:
25 and she brought it before Saul, and before his servants; and they ate. Then they rose up, and went away that night.