¶ And it came to pass in those days, that the¹ Philistines² gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. And Achish said unto David, Know thou assuredly, that thou shalt go³ out with me to battle, thou and thy men.

And David said to Achish, Surely⁴ thou shalt know what thy servant can do. And Achish said to David, Therefore will I make thee keeper of mine head for ever.

Now Samuel⁵ was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away⁶ those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land.

And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem⁷: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa⁸.

And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid⁹, and his heart greatly trembled.

And when Saul enquired¹⁰ of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams¹¹, nor by Urim¹², nor by prophets¹³.

¶ Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me¹⁴ a woman that hath a familiar spirit¹⁵, that I may¹⁶ go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor¹⁷.

And Saul disguised¹⁸ himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee,¹⁹ divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me²⁰ him up, whom I shall name unto thee.

And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath²¹ cut off those that have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land: wherefore²² then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die?

¶ And Saul sware²³ to her by the LORD, saying, As the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.

Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.

And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul²⁴.

And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending²⁵ out of the earth.

And he said unto her, What form is he of?²⁶ And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself.

¶ And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast²⁷ thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore²⁸ distressed; for the Philistines²⁹ make war against me, and God³⁰ is departed from me, and answereth³¹ me no more, neither by prophets³², nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do.

Then said Samuel, Wherefore³³ then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become³⁴ thine enemy?

And the LORD hath done to him,³⁵ as he spake³⁶ by me³⁷: for the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, even to David:

Because thou obeyedst³⁸ not the voice of the LORD, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the LORD³⁹ done this thing unto thee this day.

Moreover the LORD⁴⁰ will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.

¶ Then Saul fell straightway⁴² all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night.

And the woman came unto Saul, and saw that he was sore troubled, and said unto him, Behold, thine handmaid hath obeyed thy voice, and I have put⁴³ my life in my hand, and have hearkened unto thy words which thou spakest unto me.

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

But he refused, and said, I will⁴⁴ not eat. But his servants, together with the woman, compelled him;⁴⁵ and he hearkened unto their voice. So he arose from the earth, and sat upon the bed.

And the woman had a fat calf⁴⁶ in the house; and she hasted, and killed it, and took flour, and kneaded it, and did bake unleavened bread thereof:

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