In those days the Philistines gathered their forces for war, to
fight against Israel. And Achish said to David, “Understand that
you and your men are to go out with me in the army.” David said to
Achish, “Very well, you shall 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 put the mediums and
the necromancers out of the land. The Philistines assembled and
came and encamped at Shunem. And Saul gathered all Israel, and they
encamped at Gilboa. When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he
was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. And when Saul inquired
of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams, or by
Urim, or by prophets. Then Saul said to his servants, “Seek out for
me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of
her.” And his servants said to him, “Behold, there is a medium at
En-dor.”

  So Saul disguised himself and put on other garments and went, he
and two men with him. And they came to the woman by night. And he
said, “Divine for me by a spirit and bring up for me whomever I
shall name to you.” The woman said to him, “Surely you know what
Saul has done, how he has cut off the mediums and the necromancers
from the land. Why then are you laying a trap for my life to bring
about my death?” But Saul swore to her by the LORD, “As the LORD
lives, no punishment shall 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?” And the woman said to Saul, “I see a god coming up out of the
earth.” He said to her, “What is his appearance?” And she said, “An
old man is coming up, and he is wrapped in a robe.” And 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, for the Philistines
are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and answers
me no more, either by prophets or by dreams. Therefore I have
summoned you to tell me what I shall do.” And Samuel said, “Why
then do you ask me, since the LORD has turned from you and become
your enemy? The LORD has done to you as he spoke by me, for the
LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your
neighbor, David. Because you did not obey the voice of the LORD and
did not carry out his fierce wrath against Amalek, therefore the
LORD has done this thing to you this day. Moreover, the LORD will
give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines, and
tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me. The LORD will give the
army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.”

  Then Saul fell at once full length on the ground, filled with
fear because of the words of Samuel. And there was no strength in
him, for he had eaten nothing all day and all night. And the woman
came to Saul, and when she saw that he was terrified, she said to
him, “Behold, your servant has obeyed you. I have taken my life in
my hand and have listened to what you have said to me. Now
therefore, you also obey your servant. Let me set a morsel of bread
before you; and eat, that you may have strength when you go on your
way.” He refused and said, “I will not eat.” But his servants,
together with the woman, urged him, and he listened to their words.
So he arose from the earth and sat on the bed. Now the woman had a
fattened calf in the house, and she quickly killed it, and she took
flour and kneaded it and baked unleavened bread of it, and she put
it before Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they rose and
went away that night.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001
by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by
permission. All rights reserved.