The Philistines Gather against Israel
1Now in those days the Philistines gathered their forces for warfare against Israel. So Achish said to David, “You must understand that you and your men are to go out to battle with me.”
2David replied, “Then you will come to know what your servant can do.”
“Very well,” said Achish. “I will make you my bodyguard for life.”
3Now by this time Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had removed the mediums and spiritists from the land.
- 1SA 28:3[DEMONIC]Saul had removed the mediums and spiritists
4The Philistines gathered together and camped at Shunem, while Saul gathered all Israel and camped at Gilboa. 5When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid and trembled violently. 6He inquired of Yahweh, but Yahweh did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets.
Saul and the Medium of Endor
7Then Saul said to his servants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so I can go and consult her.”
“There is a medium at Endor,” his servants replied.
- 1SA 28:7[DEMONIC]Saul disguises himself and seeks a medium
- 1SA 28:7[NOTE]A MEDIUM claimed to talk with the dead. God's law banned it, Leviticus 19:31 and Deuteronomy 18:10 to 12, and Saul himself had thrown them out, 28:3. See the Big Question pages The Medium of Endor.
8So Saul disguised himself by putting on different clothes, and he set out with two of his men. They came to the woman at night, and Saul said, “Consult a spirit for me. Bring up for me the one I name.”
9But the woman replied, “Surely you know what Saul has done, how he has killed the mediums and spiritists in the land. Why have you set a trap to get me killed?”
- 1SA 28:9[DEMONIC]The medium reminds Saul he killed the mediums
10Then Saul swore to her by Yahweh: “As surely as Yahweh lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this.”
11“Whom shall I bring up for you?” the woman asked.
“Bring up Samuel,” he replied.
- 1SA 28:11[DEMONIC]The medium sees Samuel come up
12But when the woman saw Samuel, she cried out in a loud voice and said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!”
13“Do not be afraid,” the king replied. “What do you see?”
“I see a god coming up out of the earth,” the woman answered.
14“What does he look like?” asked Saul.
“An old man is coming up,” she replied. “And he is wearing a robe.”
So Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed facedown in reverence.
15Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?”
“I am deeply distressed,” replied Saul. “The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has turned away 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 28:15[DEMONIC]Samuel asks Saul why he disturbed him
- 1SA 28:15[NOTE]WHO IS SPEAKING? The text calls him Samuel. His words are not printed red, because this is not God speaking. Readers disagree about what really came up.
16“Why do you consult me,” asked Samuel, “since Yahweh has turned away from you and become your enemy? 17He has done exactly what 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 Yahweh or carry out His burning anger against Amalek, Yahweh has done this to you today. 19Moreover, Yahweh will deliver Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. And Yahweh will deliver the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.”
- 1SA 28:19[PROPHECY]At Endor, Samuel said Saul and his sons would die the next day → 1SA 31:6
20Immediately Saul fell flat on the ground, terrified by the words of Samuel. And his strength was gone, because he had not eaten anything all that day and night.
21When the woman came to Saul and saw how distraught he was, she said to him, “Look, your maidservant has obeyed your voice. I took my life in my hands and did as you told me. 22Now please listen to your servant and let me set a morsel of bread before you so you may eat and have the strength to go on your way.”
23Saul refused, saying, “I will not eat.” But his servants joined the woman in urging him, and he heeded their voice. He got up from the ground and sat on the bed.
24The woman had a fattened calf at her house, and she quickly slaughtered it. She also took flour, kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread. 25She served it to Saul and his servants, and they ate. And that night they got up and left.