1 Samuel 28

And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. And Achish said unto David, Know thou assuredly, that thou shalt go out with me to battle, thou and thy men.

In those days, the Philistines prepared for war against Israel. Achish turned to David, saying with certainty, "You and your men will join me in this battle."

And David said to Achish, Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do. And Achish said to David, Therefore will I make thee keeper of mine head for ever.

David confidently assured Achish, "You'll soon see what I'm capable of." Touched by his conviction, Achish responded, "In that case, I'll entrust you with my life forever."

Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land.

Samuel had passed away, leaving all of Israel in deep sorrow. They mourned and laid him to rest in his hometown, Ramah. Meanwhile, Saul had banished all those who dabbled in the supernatural and wizardry from the land.

And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa.

The Philistines, brimming with determination, assembled and set up camp in Shunem. In response, Saul, filled with resolve, rallied all of Israel, and they established their stronghold in Gilboa.

And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled.

When Saul laid eyes on the Philistine army, fear consumed him, his heart pounding wildly in terror.

And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.

When Saul sought guidance from God, he was met with silence; no dreams, no divine signs, no prophets brought him answers.

Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.

Saul pleaded with his servants, "Find me a woman who can commune with spirits, I need to ask her something." His servants replied, "We know of such a woman in Endor."

And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him up, whom I shall name unto thee.

Saul, cloaked in disguise and accompanied by two men, approached a woman under the veil of night. With a desperate plea, he asked her to use her spiritual connection to summon the one he would name.

And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those that have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land: wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die?

The woman said to him, 'You know what Saul has done, how he has removed the mediums and spiritists from the land. Why are you setting a trap for my life to get me killed?'

And Saul sware to her by the LORD, saying, As the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.

Saul, with deep sincerity, promised her in God's name, "As long as God is alive, you won't face any harm for this."

Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.

The woman asked, "Who should I summon for you?" He replied, "Call forth Samuel for me."

And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul.

Upon seeing Samuel, the woman let out a heart-wrenching cry. She turned to Saul, her voice trembling with betrayal, "Why have you lied to me? You are Saul!"

And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth.

The king reassured her, "Don't be scared. What did you see?" The woman replied to Saul, "I saw divine beings rising from the ground."

And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself.

He asked her, "What does he look like?" She replied, "An elderly man is approaching, draped in a cloak." Saul instantly recognized it was Samuel, and he humbly bowed down, his face touching the earth in reverence.

And Samuel said to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do.

Samuel asked Saul, "Why have you disturbed me? Why have you summoned me?" Saul replied, "I'm in deep despair. The Philistines are attacking me, and God has abandoned me. He doesn't speak to me anymore, not through prophets or dreams. That's why I've called you, to tell me what to do."

Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?

Samuel asked, "Why do you seek my counsel when God has turned away from you and become your enemy?"

And the LORD hath done to him, as he spake by me: for the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, even to David:

The Lord has fulfilled His word through me. He has taken the kingdom from your grasp and handed it to your neighbor, David.

Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the LORD, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the LORD done this thing unto thee this day.

Because you didn't listen to God or carry out His fierce anger against Amalek, God has done this to you today.

Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.

The Lord will hand Israel and you over to the Philistines. Tomorrow, you and your sons will join me. The Lord will also hand over Israel's army to the Philistines.

Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night.

Overwhelmed by Samuel's words, Saul collapsed to the ground, trembling with fear. He was weak, having not eaten anything all day and night.

And the woman came unto Saul, and saw that he was sore troubled, and said unto him, Behold, thine handmaid hath obeyed thy voice, and I have put my life in my hand, and have hearkened unto thy words which thou spakest unto me.

The woman approached Saul, noticing his deep distress. She reassured him, "I've followed your instructions, risking my own life, and listened carefully to your words."

Now therefore, I pray thee, hearken thou also unto the voice of thine handmaid, and let me set a morsel of bread before thee; and eat, that thou mayest have strength, when thou goest on thy way.

Please, listen to me, your humble servant. Allow me to offer you a piece of bread. Eat it, so you'll have the strength you need for your journey.

But he refused, and said, I will not eat. But his servants, together with the woman, compelled him; and he hearkened unto their voice. So he arose from the earth, and sat upon the bed.

Despite his refusal, insisting he wouldn't eat, the servants and the woman persuaded him. Listening to their pleas, he got up from the ground and sat on the bed.

And the woman had a fat calf in the house; and she hasted, and killed it, and took flour, and kneaded it, and did bake unleavened bread thereof:

The woman quickly prepared a feast from her prized calf in the house. She hurriedly butchered it, mixed flour into dough, and baked it into flat, unleavened bread, all with a sense of urgency and purpose.

And she brought it before Saul, and before his servants; and they did eat. Then they rose up, and went away that night.

She presented the meal to Saul and his men, who gratefully devoured it. Afterward, under the cloak of darkness, they quietly departed.