CHAPTER 28
Now
in those
days
the Philistines
gathered
their forces
for war,
to fight
against Israel.
So Achish
said
to
David,
“You must understand
that
you
and your men
will accompany me
in the army.”
David
replied,
“Then
you
will come to know
what
your servant
can do.”
“Very well,”
said
Achish.
“I will make you
my bodyguard
for life.”
Now by this time Samuel
had died,
and all
Israel
had mourned
for him
and buried
him in Ramah,
his own city.
And Saul
had removed
the mediums
and spiritists
from the land.
The Philistines
came together
and camped
at Shunem,
while Saul
gathered
all
Israel
and camped
at Gilboa.
Then Saul
said
to his servants,
“Find
me a woman
who is a medium,
so I can go
and consult
her.”
“There is
a medium
at Endor,”
his servants
replied.
So Saul
disguised himself
by putting on
different
clothes,
and he set out
with
two
of his men.
They came
to
the woman
at night,
and Saul said,
“Consult
a spirit for me.
Bring up
for me
the one
I name."
But the woman
replied,
“Surely
you
know
what
Saul
has done,
how
he has killed
the mediums
and spiritists
in
the land.
Why
have you
set a trap
to get me killed?”
Then Saul
swore
to her by the LORD:
“As surely as the LORD
lives,
no
punishment
shall come upon you
for
this.”
But when the woman
saw
Samuel,
she cried out
in a loud
voice
and
said
to Saul,
“Why
have you deceived me?
You
are Saul!”
“Do not
be afraid,”
the king
replied.
“What
do you see?”
“I see
a god
coming up
out of
the earth,”
the woman
answered.
“What
does he look like?”
asked Saul.
“An old
man
is coming up,”
she replied.
“And he is
wearing
a robe.”
So Saul
knew
that
it
was Samuel,
and he bowed
facedown
in reverence.
Then Samuel
said
to Saul,
“Why
have you disturbed
me by bringing me up?”
“I am deeply
distressed,”
replied
Saul.
“The Philistines
are fighting
against me,
and God
has turned away
from me.
He no
longer
answers me,
either
by
the prophets
or
dreams.
So I have called
on you
to tell
me what
to do.”
“Why
do you consult me,”
asked
Samuel,
“since the LORD
has turned away
from you
and become
your enemy?
He
has done
exactly what
He spoke
through me:
The LORD
has torn
the kingship
out of your hand
and given it
to your neighbor
David.
Because
you did not
obey
the LORD
or
carry out
His burning
anger
against Amalek,
the LORD
has done
this to you today.
Moreover,
the LORD
will deliver
Israel
with you
into the hands
of the Philistines,
and tomorrow
you
and your sons
will be with me.
And
the LORD
will deliver
the army
of Israel
into the hands
of the Philistines.”
Immediately
Saul
fell
flat
on the ground,
terrified
by the words
of Samuel.
And
his strength
was
gone,
because
he had not
eaten
anything
all that
day
and
night.
When the woman
came
to
Saul
and saw
how
distraught he was,
she said
to him,
“Look,
your maidservant
has obeyed
your voice.
I took
my life
in my hands
and did
as
you told
me.
Now
please
listen
to your servant
and let me set
a morsel
of bread
before you.
Eat,
and it will give
you
strength
to
go
on your way.”
Saul refused,
saying,
“I will not
eat.”
But his servants
joined
the woman
in urging
him,
and he heeded
their voice.
He got up
from the ground
and sat
on
the bed.
The woman
had a fattened
calf
at her house,
and she quickly
slaughtered it.
She also took
flour,
kneaded it,
and baked
unleavened bread.