The Philistines Gather for War
28 1 In those days Philistines massed their forces to fight Israel. Achish told David, "You and your men march out with me in the army."
2 David told Achish, "So you'll know what your servant can do." Achish replied, "I'll make you my bodyguard for life."
3 Samuel had died; all Israel mourned him and buried him in Ramah, his city. Saul had removed the mediums and fortune-tellers from the land.
4 The Philistines gathered, came, and camped at Shunem; Saul gathered all Israel and camped at Gilboa. 5 When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. 6 Saul asked our Father, but our Father didn't answer—not by dreams, not by Urim, not by prophets.
7 Saul told his servants, "Find me a female medium, so I can go ask her." They said, "There's one at Endor."
8 Saul disguised himself, wore other clothes, went with two men to the woman by night, and said, "Consult a spirit for me—bring up the one I name."
9 The woman said, "You know what Saul did—cut off mediums and fortune-tellers from the land. Why trap my life to kill me?"
10 Saul swore to her by our Father, "As our Father lives, no guilt will reach you for this."
11 The woman said, "Whom shall I bring up for you?" He said, "Bring up Samuel."
12 Seeing Samuel, the woman cried out loudly and said to Saul, "Why did you deceive me? You are Saul!"
13 The king said, "Don't be afraid. What do you see?" The woman told Saul, "I see a divine being rising from the ground."
14 He asked, "What does he look like?" "An old man rising, wrapped in a robe," she said. Saul knew it was Samuel and bowed face-down, prostrating himself.
15 Samuel said to Saul, "Why disturb me, bringing me up?" Saul said, "I'm in deep distress. The Philistines fight me, and our Father has turned away — no answer by prophets or dreams. So I called you, to know what to do."
16 Samuel said, "Why ask me, when our Father has left you and become your enemy?" a a v16 Our Father had not stopped loving Saul; this is the language of judgment on a king who long refused him—the grief of love resisted, not the loss of the Father's heart. 17 Our Father did as he said through me, tearing the kingdom from your hand and giving it to your neighbor, to David. 18 Because you did not obey our Father's voice or execute his burning anger against Amalek, so he has done this to you today. 19 our Father will hand you and Israel to the Philistines; tomorrow you and your sons will join me, and our Father will hand Israel's army to the Philistines.
20 Saul instantly fell full length on the ground, terrified by Samuel's words. He had no strength, having eaten no food all day and night.
21 The woman came to Saul, saw his shock, and said, "Look, your servant obeyed you. I risked my life to do what you told me." 22 Now please, you too, listen to me, your servant. Let me give you a piece of bread; eat, and get strength for the road.
23 He refused: "I won't eat." But his servants and the woman urged him until he gave in, rose from the ground, and sat on the bed. 24 The woman had a fattened calf at home, hurried, slaughtered it, took flour, kneaded, and baked bread without yeast. 25 She served it to Saul and his servants; they ate, then got up and left that night.
