aelites and camped in Gilboa. But when he saw the army of the
Philistines, he was terrified and filled with fear. So he asked of
Jehovah whether he should go against them, but Jehovah did not answer
him either by dream or by lot or by the prophets. Then Saul said to his
servants, "Find for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go and ask
through her." His servants said to him, "There is such a woman at
Endor."

So Saul did not let any one know who he was, but put on other clothes
and went, taking two men with him. And they came to the woman at night.
He said, "Ask for me through some departed spirit and bring up for me
the one for whom I shall ask." The woman said to him, "You know what
Saul has done, how he has driven from the land the mediums and those who
have messages from the spirits of the dead. Why then are you trying to
catch me, to put me to death?" But Saul swore to her by Jehovah, saying,
"As surely as Jehovah lives, no punishment will come to you from this
act." Then the woman said, "Whom shall I bring up to you?" Saul said,
"Bring up Samuel."

When the woman saw Samuel, she screamed and said to Saul, "Why have you
deceived me, for you are Saul?" Saul replied, "Do not be afraid! What do
you see?" The woman said to Saul, "I see a god coming out of the earth."
Saul asked, "What does he look like?" She said, "An old man is coming
up, and he is wrapped in a cloak." Then Saul knew that it was Samuel;
and he bowed with his face to the earth and worshipped.

Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?" Saul
answered, "I am in great trouble, for the Philistines are making war
against me, and God has turned from me and answers me no more, neither
by prophets nor by dreams. So I have called you to tell me what I shall
do." Samuel said, "Why do you ask of me when Jehovah has turned from you
and become your enemy? He has taken the authority from your hand and
given it to another, even to David. To-morrow you, with your sons beside
you, shall fall, and Jehovah will deliver the army of Israel into the
power of the Philistines."

Then Saul fell at full length upon the earth, for the words of Samuel
filled him with fear, so he had no strength left, for he had not eaten
any food all that day and night. When the woman came to Saul and saw
that he was in great trouble, she said to him, "See, I have taken my
life in my hand and have done what you asked me. Now therefore, listen
also to my advice and