28 Some time later, the Philistines gathered their forces getting ready to battle against Israel, and King Akish complimented David, “We’ll definitely want you and your men to join with our forces.”

2 “Sounds good,” David replied, “because you’ll be able to see for yourself what your servant can do.”

“I’ll appoint as my permanent bodyguard,” Akish told him.

3 By now, Shemu’el was long dead and all Israel had mourned for him and had buried him in his town of Ramah, and Sha’ul had had expelled all the mediums from the country, along with those who contacted the spirits.[ref]

4 Then the Philistines went to Shunem and camped there. Meanwhile Sha’ul gathered all Israel’s warriors and they camped at Gilboa, 5 but when he saw the Philistine camp, he was afraid and trembled inside. 6 He asked Yahweh for direction, but Yahweh didn’t answer him either through a dream, nor by use of the sacred pouch, nor through any prophet.[ref] 7 Then Sha’ul instructed his servants, “Find a woman for me who talks to the spirits of dead people, so I can go to her and ask her something.”

“Sure,” his servants told him, “there’s a woman in Endor who can do that.”

8 So Sha’ul put on different clothes to disguise himself, and went off in the night with two of his men. They went to the woman and he asked, “Please divine for me with a spirit of the dead and bring up the person that I tell you.”

9 “Listen,” said the woman, “surely you’re aware of what Sha’ul has done—he’s expelled anyone out of the country brings back the dead or converses with the spirits. So why are you trying to trap me? Are you trying to get me killed?”

10 Sha’ul promised her in front of Yahweh, “As Yahweh lives, you won’t be punished for doing this.”

11 “Okay then, who do you want me to bring up for you?”

“Bring Shemuel up for me.” he replied.

12 When the woman saw Shemuel, she yelled out and said to Sha’ul, “Oh no, you’ve tricked me! You’re Sha’ul!”

13 “Don’t be afraid,” said the king, “but what have you seen?”

“I saw gods coming up out of the ground,” she replied.

14 “What does he look like?” he asked.

“An old man’s appearing,” she said, “wearing a robe.”

Sha’ul knew it was Shemuel, and he knelt down and bowed his face to the ground.

15 “Why’ve you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Shemuel asked.

“I’m very distressed,” Sha’ul replied, “and the Philistines are about to go to war against me. And God has turned away from me and doesn’t answer me anymore—he hasn’t sent me any prophets or given me any dreams, So I’ve called to you so you can tell me what I should do.”

16 “If Yahweh’s turned away from you and become your enemy,” Shemuel responded, “what’s the point in asking me?” 17 He’s simply done what he told me to tell you that he’d do. He’s ripped the kingdom away from you and given it to your neighbour David.[ref] 18 You didn’t do what Yahweh instructed and you didn’t execute his anger against Amalek, so that’s why Yahweh is doing that to you today.[ref] 19 He will also allow Israel to be defeated by the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be here with me. Yahweh will also allow Israel’s entire camp of warriors to be captured by the Philistines.”

20 Sha’ul, who’d been standing immediately toppled right over and crashed to the ground—he was very scared by Shemuel’s words, plus he didn’t have much strength because he hadn’t eaten for twenty-four hours. 21 The woman knelt over Sha’ul and saw that he was terrified, and told him, “Listen to me. Your female servant has risked my life to do what you said and follow your instructions. 22 So now, although you’re the king, please listen to your female servant. Let me get you some food, and then eat it to regain your strength for the journey home.

23 But he refused, saying, “No, I won’t eat anything.” However his servants and also the woman urged him, and he decided to take their advice so he got up from the ground and sat on the bed. 24 Now the woman had a calf in a stall at the house, and she quickly slaughtered it, She took flour and kneaded it and baked flat bread. 25 She placed the food in front of Sha’ul and his servants, and they ate before getting up and going out into the night.