1And it came to pass in those days , that the Philistines gathered their hosts together for warfare , to fight with Israel . And Achish said unto David , Know thou assuredly , that thou shalt go out with me in the host , thou and thy men . 2And David said to Achish, Therefore thou shalt know what thy servant will do . And Achish said to David , Therefore will I make thee keeper of my head for ever . 3Now 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. 4And the Philistines gathered themselves together , and came and encamped in Shunem : and Saul gathered all Israel together , and they encamped in Gilboa . 5And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines , he was afraid , and his heart trembled greatly . 6And when Saul inquired of Jehovah , Jehovah answered him not , neither by dreams , nor by Urim, nor by prophets . 7Then said Saul unto his servants , Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her , and inquire of her . And his servants said to him , Behold , there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at En-dor .
The Summoning of Samuel
8And Saul disguised himself , and put on other raiment, and went , he and two men with him , and they came to the woman by night : and he said, Divine unto me , I pray thee , by the familiar spirit, and bring me up whomsoever I shall name unto thee . 9And 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 ? 10And Saul sware to her by Jehovah , saying , As Jehovah liveth , there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing . 11Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel . 12And 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 . 13And the king said unto her , Be not afraid : for what seest thou ? And the woman said unto Saul , I see a god coming up out of the earth . 14And he said unto her , What form is he of ? And she said, An old man cometh up ; and he is covered with a robe . And Saul perceived that it was Samuel , and he bowed with his face to the ground, and did obeisance .
Samuel's Message to Saul
15And 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 . 16And Samuel said, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me , seeing Jehovah is departed from thee , and is become thine adversary ? 17And Jehovah hath done unto thee , as he spake by me : and Jehovah hath rent the kingdom out of thy hand , and given it to thy neighbor , even to David . 18Because thou obeyedst not the voice of Jehovah , and didst not execute his fierce wrath upon Amalek , therefore hath Jehovah done this thing unto thee this day . 19Moreover Jehovah will deliver Israel also with thee into the hand of the Philistines ; and to-morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me : Jehovah will deliver the host of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines .
Saul's Despair and Its Consequences
20Then Saul fell straightway his full length upon 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 . 21And the woman came unto Saul , and saw that he was sore troubled , and said unto him , Behold , thy handmaid hath hearkened unto thy voice , and I have put my life in my hand , and have hearkened unto thy words which thou spakest unto me . 22Now therefore , I pray thee , hearken thou also unto the voice of thy handmaid , and let me set a morsel of bread before thee ; and eat , that thou mayest have strength , when thou goest on thy way . 23But he refused , and said , I will not eat. But his servants , together with the woman, constrained him ; and he hearkened unto their voice . So he arose from the earth, and sat upon the bed . 24And the woman had a fatted calf in the house ; and she hasted , and killed it ; and she took flour , and kneaded it , and did bake unleavened bread thereof: 25and she brought it before Saul , and before his servants ; and they did eat. Then they rose up , and went away that night .