28:1 In those days the Philistines gathered their troops1 for war in order to fight with Israel. Achish said to David, “You should fully understand that you and your men must go with me into the battle.”2
28:2 David replied to Achish, “That being the case, you will come to know what your servant can do!” Achish said to David, “Then I will make you my bodyguard from now on.”3
28:3 Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had lamented over him and had buried him in Ramah his hometown.4 In the meantime Saul had removed the necromancers and the familiar spirits from the land. 28:4 The Philistines were assembled, having come and having encamped at Shunem, and Saul gathered all Israel and encamped at Gilboa. 28:5 When Saul saw the camp of the Philistines, he was afraid and filled with terror.5 28:6 So Saul inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him—not by dreams nor by Urim nor by prophets. 28:7 So Saul instructed his servants, “Find for me a woman who is a medium6 so that I may go to her and inquire of her.” His servants replied to him, “There is a woman who is a medium in Endor.”
28:8 So Saul disguised himself and put on other garments and went out, accompanied by two of his men. They came to the woman by night and said, “Engage in divination for me and bring up for me the one I am about to tell you.”
28:9 But the woman said to him, “Look, you are aware of what Saul has done, cutting off the necromancers and the familiar spirits from the land. Why are you striking out at my life so as to put me to death?” 28:10 But Saul swore to her by the LORD, “As surely as the LORD lives, you will not incur guilt in this matter.” 28:11 The woman replied, “Who is it that I should bring up for you?” He said, “Bring up for me Samuel.”
28:12 When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out loudly.7 The woman said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!” 28:13 The king said to her, “Don’t be afraid. What have you seen?” The woman replied to Saul, “I have seen one like a god8 coming up from the ground!” 28:14 He said to her, “What about his appearance?” She said, “An old man is coming up! He is wrapped in a robe!”
Then Saul realized that it was Samuel, and he bowed his face to the ground and prostrated himself. 28:15 Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Saul replied, “I am very concerned. The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has turned away from me and does not answer me—not by prophets nor by dreams. So I have called on you to inform me as to what I should do.”
28:16 Samuel said, “Why are you asking me, now that the LORD has turned away from you and has become your adversary? 28:17 The LORD has done just as he said through me. The LORD has rent the kingdom from your hand and has given it to your neighbor David. 28:18 Since you have not paid attention to the LORD’s voice and have not performed his fierce anger against the Amalekites, the LORD has done this thing to you today. 28:19 The LORD will deliver Israel along with you as well into the hand of the Philistines. And tomorrow both you and your sons will be with me.9 The LORD will also deliver the camp of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.”
28:20 Saul quickly fell full length to the ground and was very fearful because of Samuel’s words. He was completely devoid of strength, not having eaten anything10 all that day and night. 28:21 When the woman came to Saul and saw how terrified he was, she said to him, “Your handmaid has done what you asked.11 I took my life into my own hands and did what you told me.12 28:22 Now it’s your turn to listen to the voice of your maidservant. Let me set before you a bit of bread so that you can eat. When you regain strength, you can go on your way.”
28:23 But he refused, saying, “I won’t eat.” When his servants along with the woman pressed13 him, he responded to their advice.14 He arose from the ground and sat down on the bed. 28:24 Now the woman15 had a well-fed calf16 at her home that she quickly slaughtered. Taking some flour, she kneaded bread and baked it without leaven. 28:25 She brought it to Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they arose and went out that same night.