1 Samuel

In those days, the Philistines mustered their forces to fight against Israel, and Achish told David: “I want you to know that you and your men must join me to fight this battle.”

David answered: “Then you will see for yourself what your servant can do.” Achish told David: “I will make you my permanent bodyguard.”

Saul and the Necromancer

Now Samuel had died, and when all Israel had mourned for him, they buried him in his own city, Ramah. Meanwhile, Saul had driven out those who consulted spirits of the dead and fortunetellers from the land.

As the Philistines gathered together and encamped in Shunem, Saul also mustered the Israelite forces. He encamped in Gilboa.

But on seeing the Philistine camp, Saul was afraid, and his heart failed him.

Saul consulted the Lord, but the Lord did not answer whether in dreams or by the Urim or through prophets.

Then Saul said to his servants: “Find me a woman who consults the spirits of the dead, that I might go and consult her.” His servants told him: “There is a medium at Endor.”

Saul disguised himself, putting on other clothes, and left with two men. He arrived at night and said to the woman: “Tell my fortune through a ghost and call the spirit I shall name.”

But the woman answered him: “Do you not know that Saul has driven medium and fortunetellers out of the land? Why do you set a trap for me to bring about my death?”

But Saul swore to her by the Lord: “As the Lord lives, you will not be in trouble for this.”

Then the woman asked him: “Whom do you want me to call up?” Saul said: “Call up Samuel.”

When the woman saw Samuel, she screamed and asked Saul: “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!”

The king told her: “Have no fear. What do you see?”The woman said: “I see him rising from the ground. He is a god.”

Saul asked her: “What does he look like?” She replied: “The one rising is an old man clothed in a mantle.” Saul knew that it was Samuel. He knelt and bowed face to the ground in homage.

Samuel asked Saul: “Why did you disturb me by summoning me up?” Saul answered: “I am in great distress, for the Philistines are waging war against me, and God has abandoned me. He no longer answers me, either through prophets or in dreams. Because of this, I called you to tell me what to do.”

Samuel said: “Why do you ask me if the Lord has abandoned you and turned against you?

The Lord has done to you what he foretold through me. He has torn the kingdom from your hand and has given it to your neighbor, David.

Remember that you disobeyed the Lord by not executing his fierce anger against Amalek; that is why the Lord has done this to you today.

Now the Lord will deliver Israel, together with you, into the hands of the Philistines. By tomorrow, you and your sons shall be with me when the Lord delivers the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines.”

Immediately, Saul fell full length on the ground, terrified by what Samuel said. He had no strength left because he had not eaten anything all day and night.

The woman drew close to Saul and, seeing how frightened he was, said: “Look, your maidservant has obeyed you and risked her life doing what you have asked her to do.

Now, it is your turn to listen to me. Let me give you something to eat so you might have strength when you go on your way.”

Saul refused and said: “I will not eat.” But on the insistence of his servants and the woman, he agreed, rose from the ground, and sat on the bed.

The woman had a fattened calf in the house, which she immediately butchered. She also took some flour, kneaded it, baked unleavened bread,

and set it before Saul and his servants. They then ate and left that night.