Saul and the Medium of Endor
Saul orders his servants to find a medium, disguises himself, and goes to her by night. Though she fears Saul's ban, he swears she will not be harmed.
T7hen Saul said to his servants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so I can go and consult her.” 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?” 10Then Saul swore to her by the LORD: “As surely as the LORD lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this.”
The woman asks whom to bring up, and when Samuel appears she realizes her visitor is Saul. Saul presses past her fear and asks what she sees and how the figure looks.
11“Whom shall I bring up for you?” the woman asked. 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?” 14“What does he look like?” asked Saul.
Samuel asks why Saul has disturbed him and tells him the LORD has turned away. He repeats that the kingdom has been given to David because of Saul's disobedience and announces that Israel, Saul, and his sons will fall to the Philistines the next day.
15Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” 16“Why do you consult me,” asked Samuel, “since the LORD has turned away from you and become your enemy? 17He has done exactly what He spoke through me: The LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor David. 18Because you did not obey the LORD or carry out His burning anger against Amalek, the LORD has done this to you today. 19Moreover, the LORD will deliver Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. And the LORD will deliver the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.”
Saul collapses in terror and weakness after Samuel's words. The woman and his servants urge him to eat, and after a meal prepared in haste, Saul and his men leave that night.
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.