In those days the Philistines gathered their forces for an army, to wage war against Israel. And Achish said to David, “Understand well that you are to go with me in the army, you and your men.”

And David said to Achish, “Thus you shall know what your servant can do.” And Achish said to David, “Thus I will make you guardian of my head all the days.”

Now Samuel had died and all Israel had mourned over him. And they buried him in Ramah and they had mourned over him, each in his own city. And Saul had removed mediums and necromancers out of the land.

The Philistines gathered themselves and came. They 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 speech of the LORD the LORD did not accept his prayer, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by scribes.

Then Saul said to his servants, “Seek out for me a woman who knows how to conjure up the spirits of the dead that I may go to her and inquire of her.” And his servants said to him, “Behold, there is a woman at Endor who knows how to conjure up the spirits of the dead.”

So Saul disguised himself and put on other clothes and went, he and two men with him. And they came to the woman by night. And he said, “Divine for me by the spirits of the dead, and conjure up for me whomever I shall name to you.”

The woman said to him, “Surely you know what Saul has done, how he has put an end to the mediums and the necromancers from the land. Why then are you provoking my soul to kill me?”

But Saul swore to her by the speech of the LORD, saying, “As the LORD is the existing One, no guilt shall come upon you by this thing.”

Then the woman said, “Whom shall I conjure up for you?” He said, “Conjure up Samuel for me.”

When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice. And the woman said to Saul, saying, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!”

The king said to her, “Fear not. What do you see?” And the woman said to Saul, “I see the angel of the LORD, coming up out of the earth.”

He said to her, “How is his appearance?” And she said, “An old man is coming up; and he is wrapped in a robe.” Then Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he kneeled with his face to the ground and bowed down.

Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by conjuring me up?” Saul answered, “I am in great distress, for the Philistines are waging war against me and the speech of the LORD has rejected me and accepts my prayer no more, either by scribes or by dreams. So I have called you to let me know what I should do.”

And Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since the speech of the LORD has rejected you and is in the aid of the man whose enemy you are?

The LORD has established as He spoke with me, for the LORD has removed the kingship from you and given it to your neighbour, to David.

Because you did not accept the speech of the LORD and did not carry out his fierce anger against those of the House of Amalek, therefore the LORD has done this thing to you this day.

Moreover, the LORD will surrender Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines. And tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me, and also the army of Israel, the LORD will surrender it into the hand of the Philistines.

Then Saul hurried and fell full length upon the ground, for he greatly feared the words of Samuel. There was no strength in him, for he had eaten no food all day long and all night.

And when the woman came to Saul and saw that he was very confused, she said to him, “Behold, your handmaid has received from you and surrendered my life, as if it were on the back [of my hand], to be killed. And I have listened to what you have spoken to me.

And now, you also accept from your handmaid. Let me set a slice of bread before you. And eat, that you may have strength when you go on your way.”

He was stubborn and said, “I will not eat.” But his servants, together with the woman, seized him, and he accepted their speech. So he arose from the ground and sat upon the bed.

Now the woman had a fatted calf in the house and she quickly slaughtered it. And she took flour, and kneaded it and baked unleavened bread with it.

And she brought it before Saul and before his servants and they ate. Then they rose and went away that night.