1Around that time, the Philistines gathered their armies for war against Israel. Achish said to David, “You must understand that you and your men will go out with me in the army.”
2David told Achish, “Then you will see what your servant can do.” Achish replied to David, “Then I will make you my personal bodyguard forever.”
3Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own town. Saul had removed all the mediums and fortune-tellers from the land.
4The Philistines gathered together, came, and set up camp in Shunem. Saul also gathered all Israel, and they set up camp in Gilboa.
5When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was terrified, and his heart trembled greatly.
6When Saul asked Yahweh for guidance, Yahweh did not answer him—not through dreams, not through the Urim, and not through prophets.
7Then Saul said to his servants, “Find me a woman who is a medium so I can go to her and ask for her guidance.” His servants told him, “There is a medium in Endor.”
8Saul disguised himself by putting on different clothes, and he went with two men by night to the woman. He said, “Please use your spiritual powers to bring up for me whoever I name.”
9The woman said to him, “Surely you know what Saul has done? He has gotten rid of all the mediums and fortune-tellers from the land. Why are you trying to trap me and cause my death?”
10Saul swore to her by Yahweh, saying, “As Yahweh lives, you will not be punished for this.”
11Then the woman asked, “Who should I bring up for you?” He replied, “Bring up Samuel for me.”
12When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out loudly and said to Saul, “Why have you tricked me? You are Saul!”
13The king said to her, “Don't be afraid! What do you see?” The woman replied to Saul, “I see a spirit coming up out of the ground.”
14He asked her, “What does he look like?” She said, “An old man is coming up, and he is wrapped in a robe.” Saul realized it was Samuel, so he bowed with his face to the ground and showed him respect.
15Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Saul answered, “I am in great trouble. The Philistines are fighting against me, God has left me, and he no longer answers me, either through prophets or through dreams. That is why I called you, so you can tell me what I should do.”
16Samuel said, "Why do you ask me then? Yahweh has left you and has become your enemy."
17Yahweh has done to you exactly what he said through me. Yahweh has taken the kingdom from your hand and given it to your neighbor, David.
18Because you did not obey Yahweh's voice and did not carry out his fierce anger against Amalek, Yahweh has done this to you today.
19Moreover, Yahweh will also hand Israel over to the Philistines along with you. Tomorrow, you and your sons will be with me. Yahweh will also give the Israeli army into the hands of the Philistines.
20Then Saul immediately fell flat on the ground, terrified by Samuel’s words. He had no strength in him because he had not eaten any food all day or all night.
21The woman came to Saul, saw how distressed he was, and said to him, "Look, your servant has listened to you, and I have risked my life by listening to what you told me."
22So now, please listen to your servant's request. Let me put a little bread before you. Eat, so you can regain your strength for your journey."
23But he refused, saying, "I will not eat." However, his servants and the woman urged him, and he listened to them. So he got up from the ground and sat on the bed.
24The woman had a fattened calf in the house. She quickly killed it, took flour, kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread from it.
25She served it to Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they got up and left that night.