Old Testament · History

1 Samuel chapter 28

Around that time, the gathered their armies for war against Israel. said to David, “You understand, of course, that you and your men will be going out to battle with me.”David replied to Achish, “Then you’ll see for yourself what can do.” Achish said to David, “Good -- I’ll make you my permanent .”Now had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in , his hometown. And Saul had expelled the and from the land.The Philistines assembled and came and set up camp at . Saul gathered all of Israel and they set up camp at .When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was -- .Saul tried to ask what to do, but Yahweh didn’t answer him -- not through , not through the , not through .So Saul said to his officers, “Find me a woman who is a so I can go to her and ask her what to do.” His officers told him, “There’s a woman who is a medium at .”Saul by putting on different clothes, and he went with two men at night. They came to the woman and he said, “Use your skills to for me. Bring up the person I name for you.”But the woman said to him, “Look, you know what Saul has done -- how he the mediums and spiritists from the land. Why are you for me, to get me killed?”Saul , “As surely as Yahweh lives, you won’t be punished for this.”The woman asked, “Who should I for you?” He said, “Bring up Samuel for me.”When the woman saw Samuel, she and said to Saul, “Why did you lie to me? You’re Saul!”The king said to her, “Don’t be afraid. What do you see?” The woman said to Saul, “I see .”He asked her, “What does he look like?” She said, “An old man is coming up, wearing .” Then Saul knew it was Samuel, and he in respect.Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you by bringing me up?” Saul answered, “I’m in deep trouble. The Philistines are attacking me and . He won’t answer me anymore -- not through prophets, not through dreams. So I called on you to tell me what to do.”Samuel replied, “Then why are you asking me, since Yahweh has turned away from you and become ?”Yahweh has done exactly what he told you through me: Yahweh has and given it to -- to David.Because you Yahweh and didn’t carry out his against , that is why Yahweh has done this to you today.And Yahweh will also hand Israel over to the Philistines along with you. Tomorrow . Yahweh will also hand Israel’s army over to the Philistines.Immediately Saul , completely terrified by Samuel’s words. He had no strength left because he hadn’t eaten anything all day and all night.The woman came over to Saul and saw that he was completely shaken. She said to him, “Look, your servant has listened to you. I and did what you told me to do.Now please, you too. Let me set some food in front of you. Eat, so you’ll have the strength to get back on your way.”He refused and said, “I won’t eat.” But his officers and the woman , and he finally listened to them. He got up from the ground and sat on .The woman had a at the house. She quickly slaughtered it, took flour, kneaded it, and baked .She served it to Saul and his officers, and they ate. Then .