(KJV) 1 Samuel 28¹

⥃The Philistines Gather against Israel

[1] And it came to pass in those days, that the² Philistines³ gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. And Achish said unto David, Know thou assuredly, that thou shalt go⁴ out with me to battle, thou and thy men. [2] And David said to Achish, Surely⁵ 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 Samuel⁶ was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away⁷ those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land. [4] And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem⁸: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa⁹. [5] And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid¹⁰, and his heart greatly trembled. [6] And when Saul enquired¹¹ of the Lord, the Lord answered him not, neither by dreams¹², nor by Urim¹³, nor by prophets¹⁴.

⥃Saul and the Medium of Endor

[7] Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me¹⁵ a woman that hath a familiar spirit¹⁶, that I may¹⁷ go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, [there is] a woman that hath a familiar spirit at En–dor¹⁸. [8] And Saul disguised¹⁹ 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 thee²⁰, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me²¹ [him] up, whom I shall name unto thee. [9] And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath²² cut off those that have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land: wherefore²³ then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die? [10] And Saul sware²⁴ 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] Saul²⁵. [13] And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending²⁶ out of the earth. [14] And he said unto her, What form [is] he of²⁷? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he [is] covered with a mantle²⁸. 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 hast²⁹ thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore³⁰ distressed; for the Philistines³¹ make war against me, and God³² is departed from me, and answereth³³ me no more, neither by prophets³⁴, nor by dreams: therefore³⁵ I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do. [16] Then said Samuel, Wherefore³⁶ then dost thou ask of me, seeing the Lord is departed from thee, and is become³⁷ thine enemy? [17] And the Lord hath done to him³⁸, as he spake³⁹ by me⁴⁰: for the Lord hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour⁴¹, [even] to David: [18] Because thou obeyedst⁴² not the voice of the Lord, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the Lord⁴³ done this thing unto thee this day. [19] Moreover the Lord⁴⁴ will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow⁴⁵ [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 straightway⁴⁶ all along on the earth, and was sore afraid⁴⁷, 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 put⁴⁸ 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 will⁴⁹ not eat. But his servants, together with the woman, compelled him⁵⁰; and he hearkened unto their voice. So he arose from the earth, and sat upon the bed. [24] And the woman had a fat calf⁵¹ 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.