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1 Samuel 28 :: New International Version (NIV)

1Sa 28:1

1Sa 28:1In those days the Philistines gathered their forces to fight against Israel. Achish said to David, “You must understand that you and your men will accompany me in the army.”

1Sa 28:2

1Sa 28:2David said, “Then you will see for yourself what your servant can do.” Achish replied, “Very well, I will make you my bodyguard for life.”

Saul and the Medium at Endor

(cf. Deu 18:9–14 )

1Sa 28:3

1Sa 28:3Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in his own town of Ramah. Saul had expelled the mediums and spiritists from the land.

1Sa 28:4

1Sa 28:4The Philistines assembled and came and set up camp at Shunem, while Saul gathered all Israel and set up camp at Gilboa.

1Sa 28:5

1Sa 28:5When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid; terror filled his heart.

1Sa 28:6

1Sa 28:6He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets.

1Sa 28:7

1Sa 28:7Saul then said to his attendants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her.” “There is one in Endor,” they said.

1Sa 28:8

1Sa 28:8So Saul disguised himself, putting on other clothes, and at night he and two men went to the woman. “Consult a spirit for me,” he said, “and bring up for me the one I name.”

1Sa 28:9

1Sa 28:9But the woman said to him, “Surely you know what Saul has done. He has cut off the mediums and spiritists from the land. Why have you set a trap for my life to bring about my death?”

1Sa 28:10

1Sa 28:10Saul swore to her by the LORD, “As surely as the LORD lives, you will not be punished for this.”

1Sa 28:11

1Sa 28:11Then the woman asked, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” “Bring up Samuel,” he said.

1Sa 28:12

1Sa 28:12When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out at the top of her voice and said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!”

1Sa 28:13

1Sa 28:13The king said to her, “Don’t be afraid. What do you see?” The woman said, “I see a ghostly figure[fn] coming up out of the earth.”

1Sa 28:14

1Sa 28:14“What does he look like?” he asked. “An old man wearing a robe is coming up,” she said. Then Saul knew it was Samuel, and he bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground.

1Sa 28:15

1Sa 28:15Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” “I am in great distress,” Saul said. “The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has departed from me. He no longer answers me, either by prophets or by dreams. So I have called on you to tell me what to do.”

1Sa 28:16

1Sa 28:16Samuel said, “Why do you consult me, now that the LORD has departed from you and become your enemy?

1Sa 28:17

1Sa 28:17The LORD has done what he predicted through me. The LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hands and given it to one of your neighbors—to David.

1Sa 28:18

1Sa 28:18Because you did not obey the LORD or carry out his fierce wrath against the Amalekites, the LORD has done this to you today.

1Sa 28:19

1Sa 28:19The LORD will deliver both Israel and you into the hands of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The LORD will also give the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines.”

1Sa 28:20

1Sa 28:20Immediately Saul fell full length on the ground, filled with fear because of Samuel’s words. His strength was gone, for he had eaten nothing all that day and all that night.

1Sa 28:21

1Sa 28:21When the woman came to Saul and saw that he was greatly shaken, she said, “Look, your servant has obeyed you. I took my life in my hands and did what you told me to do.

1Sa 28:22

1Sa 28:22Now please listen to your servant and let me give you some food so you may eat and have the strength to go on your way.”

1Sa 28:23

1Sa 28:23He refused and said, “I will not eat.” But his men joined the woman in urging him, and he listened to them. He got up from the ground and sat on the couch.

1Sa 28:24

1Sa 28:24The woman had a fattened calf at the house, which she butchered at once. She took some flour, kneaded it and baked bread without yeast.

1Sa 28:25

1Sa 28:25Then she set it before Saul and his men, and they ate. That same night they got up and left.
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NIV Footnotes
Or see spirits; or see gods
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