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1 Samuel 28:1-25 — Saul and the Witch of Endor

1Sam.28.1-25

¹In those days the Philistines gathered their forces for war to fight against Israel, and Achish said to David, “You surely know that you and your men must go out with me in the army.” ²David said to Achish, “Then you will know what your servant can do.” Achish said to David, “Then I will make you my personal guard for life.” ³Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had expelled the mediums and spiritists from the land. ⁴The Philistines gathered and came and camped at Shunem, and Saul gathered all Israel, and they camped at Gilboa. ⁵When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. ⁶Saul inquired of Yahweh, but Yahweh did not answer him, either by dreams or by Urim or by the prophets. ⁷Then Saul said to his servants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so that I may go to her and consult her.” His servants said to him, “There is a woman who is a medium at Endor.” ⁸So Saul disguised himself and put on other clothes, and he went, with two men beside him. They came to the woman by night, and he said, “Please practice divination for me by the medium, and bring up for me the one I name to you.” ⁹But the woman said to him, “Surely you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off the mediums and the spiritists from the land. Why then are you setting a trap for my life to have me put to death?” ¹⁰Then Saul swore to her by Yahweh, saying, “As Yahweh lives, no punishment will come upon you in this matter.” ¹¹The woman said, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” He said, “Bring up Samuel for me.” ¹²When 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!” ¹³The king said to her, “Do not be afraid. What do you see?” The woman said to Saul, “I see a divine being coming up out of the earth.” ¹⁴He said to her, “What is his appearance?” She said, “An old man is coming up, and he is wrapped in a robe.” Then Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground and prostrated himself. ¹⁵Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Saul said, “I am in great distress, for the Philistines are fighting against me, and God has turned away from me and no longer answers me, either by the prophets or by dreams. So I have called you to make known to me what I should do.” ¹⁶Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since Yahweh has turned away from you and has become your adversary?” ¹⁷Yahweh has done as he spoke through me. Yahweh has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David. ¹⁸Because you did not obey the voice of Yahweh and did not carry out his fierce anger against Amalek, therefore Yahweh has done this to you today. ¹⁹Moreover, Yahweh will also give Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. Yahweh will also give the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines." ²⁰Then Saul immediately fell full length on the ground and was greatly afraid because of Samuel's words. There was no strength in him, for he had eaten no bread all day or all night. ²¹The woman came to Saul, and when she saw that he was badly shaken, she said to him, “Behold, your servant has obeyed your voice. I risked my life and listened to the words that you spoke to me.” ²²Now therefore, please listen also to your servant. Let me set a morsel of bread before you, and eat, so that you may have strength when you go on your way." ²³But he refused and said, “I will not eat.” Yet his servants together with the woman urged him strongly, and he listened to them. So he rose from the ground and sat on the bed. ²⁴The woman had a fattened calf in the house, and she hurried and slaughtered it. Then she took flour, kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread. ²⁵She set it before Saul and before his servants, and they ate. Then they rose and went away that night.

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4/11/2026

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