1 Samuel 28 — Read & Listen Online

The Philistines Gather for War

Chapter 28.

Now in those days the Philistines gathered their armies for war, to fight against Israel. And Achish said to David, "You understand, of course, that you and your men must march out with me in the army."

David said to Achish, "Then you will know what your servant can do." And Achish said to David, "Very well, I will make you my bodyguard for life."

Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had driven out the mediums and the spiritists from the land.

The Philistines assembled and came and camped at Shunem; and Saul gathered all Israel, and they camped at Gilboa. When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. And Saul inquired of our Father, but our Father did not answer him—not by dreams, not by Urim, and not by prophets.

Saul Forsakes the Father for a Medium

Then Saul said to his servants, "Find me a woman who is a medium, so that I may go to her and inquire of her." His servants said to him, "There is a medium at Endor."

So Saul disguised himself, putting on other clothes, and went with two men. They came to the woman by night, and he said, "Consult a spirit for me, and bring up for me the one I name to you."

The woman said to him, "Surely you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off the mediums and the spiritists from the land. Why then are you laying a trap for my life, to bring about my death?"

And Saul swore to her by our Father, saying, "As surely as our Father lives, no guilt will come upon you for this thing."

Then the woman said, "Whom shall I bring up for you?" He said, "Bring up Samuel for me."

When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice. And the woman said to Saul, "Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!"

The king said to her, "Do not be afraid. What do you see?" The woman said to Saul, "I see a divine being coming up out of the earth."

He said to her, "What does he look like?" She said, "An old man is coming up, and he is wrapped in a robe." Then Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground and paid homage.

Then Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?" Saul answered, "I am in great distress. The Philistines are fighting against me, and our Father has turned away from me and no longer answers me, either by prophets or by dreams. So I have called you to tell me what I should do."

Samuel said, "Why then do you ask me, since our Father has turned away from you and become your enemy?" ¹ Our Father has done to you just as he spoke through me. He has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, to David. Because you did not obey the voice of our Father and did not carry out his burning anger against Amalek, this is why he has done this thing to you today. And our Father will give Israel along with you into the hand of the Philistines. Tomorrow you and your sons will be with me; our Father will also give the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.

Then Saul fell at once full length on the ground, terrified by the words of Samuel. There was no strength left in him, for he had eaten nothing all day and all night.

Then the woman came to Saul, and when she saw that he was utterly shaken, she said to him, "Look, your servant has obeyed you. I took my life in my hand and listened to what you said to me." Now please, you also listen to the voice of your servant. Let me set a piece of bread before you; eat, so that you will have strength when you go on your way.

But he refused and said, "I will not eat." Yet his servants, together with the woman, urged him, and he listened to them. So he got up from the ground and sat on the bed.

Now the woman had a fattened calf in the house, and she quickly slaughtered it. She took flour, kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread. She set it before Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they rose and went away that night.

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