I Samuel 28 · שמואל א

And it came to pass in those days, that the Pelishtim gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Yisra᾽el. And Akhish said to David, Thou must know, that thou shalt go out with me to battle, thou and thy men.

And David said to Akhish, Surely thou shall get to know what thy servant will do. And Akhish said to David, Therefore will I make thee my bodyguard for ever.

Now Shemu᾽el was dead, and all Yisra᾽el had mourned him, and buried him in Rama in his own city. And Sha᾽ul had put away the mediums and the wizards, out of the land.

And the Pelishtim gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Sha᾽ul gathered all Yisra᾽el together, and they pitched on the Gilboa.

And when Sha᾽ul saw the camp of the Pelishtim, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled.

And when Sha᾽ul inquired of the Lord, the Lord answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by the Urim, nor by prophets.

Then said Sha᾽ul to his servants, Seek 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.

And Sha᾽ul disguised himself, and put on other clothes, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine for me by means of the familiar spirit, and bring him up for me, whom I shall name to thee.

And the woman said to him, Behold, thou knowst what Sha᾽ul has done, how he has cut off the diviners, and the wizards, out of the land: why then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die?

And Sha᾽ul swore to her by the Lord, saying, As the Lord lives, no punishment shall befall thee for this thing.

Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up to thee? And he said, Bring me up Shemu᾽el.

And when the woman saw Shemu᾽el, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spoke to Sha᾽ul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Sha᾽ul.

And the king said to her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said to Sha᾽ul, I saw a godlike man ascending out of the earth.

And he said to her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man comes up; and he is covered with a mantle. And Sha᾽ul knew that it was Shemu᾽el, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself.

And Shemu᾽el said to Sha᾽ul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Sha᾽ul answered, I am greatly distressed; for the Pelishtim make war against me, and God has departed from me, and answers me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayst make known to me what I shall do.

Then said Shemu᾽el, Why then dost thou ask of me, seeing the Lord has departed from thee, and is become thy enemy?

And the Lord has done for himself, as he spoke by me: for the Lord has rent the kingdom out of thy hand, and given it to thy neighbour, to David:

because thou wouldst not obey the voice of the Lord nor wouldst execute his fierce wrath upon ῾Amaleq, therefore has the Lord done this thing to thee this day.

Moreover the Lord will also deliver Yisra᾽el with thee into the hand of the Pelishtim: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the Lord also shall deliver the camp of Yisra᾽el into the hand of the Pelishtim.

Then Sha᾽ul quickly fell full-length onto the ground and was greatly afraid at the words of Shemu᾽el; nor was there any strength in him, for he had eaten no bread all day and all night.

And the woman came to Sha᾽ul and saw that he was much terrified, and she said to him, Behold, thy handmaid has obeyed thy voice, and I have taken my life in my hand, and have hearkened to thy words which thou didst speak to me.

Now therefore, I pray thee, hearken thou also to the voice of thy handmaid, and let me set a morsel of bread before thee; and eat, that thou mayst have strength, when thou goest on thy way.

But he refused, and said, I will not eat. But his servants, together with the woman, compelled him; and he hearkened to their voice. So he arose from the earth, and sat upon the bed.

And the woman had a fatted calf in the house; and she hastened, and killed it, and took flour, and kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread of it:

and she brought it before Sha᾽ul, and before his servants; and they did eat. Then they rose up, and went away that night.