1In those days the Philistines gathered their armies for war, to fight against Israel. Achish said to David, "You may be sure that you will go out with me to battle, you and your men."
2David said to Achish, "Then you will know what your servant can do." Achish said to David, "Then I will make you the keeper of my head for ever."
3Now Samuel was dead. All Israel had mourned for him, and they had buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had driven out of the land those who spoke with spirits, and the wizards.
4The Philistines gathered themselves together. They came and camped at Shunem. Saul gathered all Israel together, and they camped at Gilboa.
5When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly.
6When Saul asked the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, not by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.
7Then Saul said to his servants, "Find me a woman who speaks with a spirit, so that I may go to her and ask her." His servants said to him, "Look, there is a woman at Endor who speaks with a spirit."
8So Saul disguised himself and put on other clothes. He went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night. He said, "Please use the spirit to tell me what is to come, and bring up for me the one I name to you."
9The woman said to him, "Look, you know what Saul has done. He has cut off from the land those who speak with spirits, and the wizards. Why then do you set a trap for my life, to have me killed?"
10Saul swore to her by the LORD, saying, "As the LORD lives, no punishment will come to you for this thing."
11Then the woman said, "Whom shall I bring up for you?" He said, "Bring me up Samuel."
12When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice. The woman spoke to Saul and said, "Why have you deceived me? You are Saul."
13The king said to her, "Do not be afraid. What did you see?" The woman said to Saul, "I saw gods coming up out of the earth."
14He said to her, "What is his form?" She said, "An old man is coming up, and he is covered with a robe." Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bent with his face to the ground and bowed down.
15Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you disturbed me, bringing me up?" Saul answered, "I am in great trouble. The Philistines are making war against me, and God has turned away from me. He answers me no more, not by prophets, nor by dreams. So I have called you, to tell me what I should do."
16Then Samuel said, "Why then do you ask me, since the LORD has turned away from you and has become your enemy?"
17The LORD has done to him just as he spoke through me. The LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbour, to David.
18You did not obey the voice of the LORD, and you did not carry out his fierce anger against Amalek. That is why the LORD has done this thing to you today.
19"More than that, the LORD will give Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines. Tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The LORD will also give the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines."
20Then Saul fell at once full length on the ground, and he was very afraid because of the words of Samuel. There was no strength in him, for he had eaten no bread all that day and all that night.
21The woman came to Saul and saw that he was greatly troubled. She said to him, "Look, your servant has obeyed your voice. I took my life in my hand and listened to the words you spoke to me."
22"So now, please, listen to the voice of your servant too. Let me set a piece of bread before you. Eat, so that you may have strength when you go on your way."
23But he refused and said, "I will not eat." But his servants, together with the woman, urged him, and he listened to their voice. So he got up from the ground and sat on the bed.
24The woman had a fat calf in the house. She hurried and killed it, and she took flour and kneaded it and baked unleavened bread with it.
25She brought it to Saul and to his servants, and they ate. Then they got up and went away that night.