1 Samuel 28

1And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines gathered their hosts together for warfare, to fight with Israel. And Achish said unto David, Know thou assuredly, that thou shalt go out with me in the host, thou and thy men.

1During that time, the Philistines gathered their armies to go to war against Israel. Achish said to David, 'You must understand that you and your men will go out to battle with me.'

2And David said to Achish, Therefore thou shalt know what thy servant will do. And Achish said to David, Therefore will I make thee keeper of my head for ever.

2David replied to Achish, 'Then you will see for yourself what your servant can do.' Achish said to David, 'Fine, I will make you my permanent personal bodyguard.'

3Now 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.

3Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in his hometown of Ramah. Also, Saul had expelled the mediums and psychics from the land.

4And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and encamped in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they encamped in Gilboa.

4The Philistines gathered their forces and set up camp at Shunem, while Saul gathered all the Israelites and camped at Gilboa.

5And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly.

5When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was terrified and his heart pounded with fear.

6And when Saul inquired of Jehovah, Jehovah answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.

6He asked the LORD for guidance, but the LORD did not answer him—not by dreams, nor by the Urim, nor by the prophets.

7Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and inquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at En-dor.

7Then Saul said to his servants, 'Find me a woman who is a medium, so I can go to her and ask for advice.' His servants told him, 'There is a medium at En-dor.'

8And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and went, he and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, Divine unto me, I pray thee, by the familiar spirit, and bring me up whomsoever I shall name unto thee.

8Saul disguised himself by putting on different clothes and went with two of his men under the cover of night. He said to the woman, 'Communicate with a spirit for me; bring up the person I name.'

9And 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?

9But the woman said to him, 'Look, you know what Saul has done. He has removed the mediums and psychics from the land. Why are you setting a trap to get me killed?'

10And Saul sware to her by Jehovah, saying, As Jehovah liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.

10Saul made a vow to her in the name of the LORD, saying, 'As surely as the LORD lives, you will not be punished for this.'

11Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.

11Then the woman asked, 'Whom shall I bring up for you?' He answered, 'Bring up Samuel for me.'

12And 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.

12When the woman saw Samuel, she let out a loud scream and said to Saul, 'Why have you tricked me? You are Saul!'

13And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what seest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I see a god coming up out of the earth.

13The king said to her, 'Don't be afraid. What do you see?' The woman said to Saul, 'I see a spirit figure coming up out of the earth.'

14And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a robe. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground, and did obeisance.

14'What does he look like?' Saul asked. 'An old man is coming up,' she replied, 'and he is wearing a robe.' Then Saul realized it was Samuel, and he bowed down with his face to the ground in honor.

15And 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.

15Samuel said to Saul, 'Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?' Saul answered, 'I am in deep trouble. The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has turned away from me. He no longer answers me through prophets or dreams. So I called you to tell me what I should do.'

16And Samuel said, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing Jehovah is departed from thee, and is become thine adversary?

16Samuel said, 'Why ask me, since the LORD has turned away from you and become your enemy?

17And Jehovah hath done unto thee, as he spake by me: and Jehovah hath rent the kingdom out of thy hand, and given it to thy neighbor, even to David.

17The LORD has done exactly what he predicted through me. The LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hands and given it to your neighbor, David.

18Because thou obeyedst not the voice of Jehovah, and didst not execute his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath Jehovah done this thing unto thee this day.

18Because you did not obey the LORD and did not carry out his fierce anger against the Amalekites, the LORD has done this to you today.

19Moreover Jehovah will deliver Israel also with thee into the hand of the Philistines; and to-morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: Jehovah will deliver the host of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.

19Furthermore, the LORD will hand over both Israel and you to the Philistines. Tomorrow, you and your sons will be with me, and the LORD will also hand the army of Israel over to the Philistines.'

20Then Saul fell straightway his full length upon 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.

20Immediately, Saul fell flat on the ground, paralyzed with fear because of what Samuel said. His strength was gone because he had not eaten anything all that day and night.

21And the woman came unto Saul, and saw that he was sore troubled, and said unto him, Behold, thy handmaid hath hearkened unto thy voice, and I have put my life in my hand, and have hearkened unto thy words which thou spakest unto me.

21When the woman came to Saul and saw how terrified he was, she said, 'Look, your servant has obeyed you. I took my life in my hands and did what you asked me to do.

22Now therefore, I pray thee, hearken thou also unto the voice of thy handmaid, and let me set a morsel of bread before thee; and eat, that thou mayest have strength, when thou goest on thy way.

22Now please, listen to your servant. Let me give you a little food so you can eat and have the strength to go on your way.'

23But he refused, and said, I will not eat. But his servants, together with the woman, constrained him; and he hearkened unto their voice. So he arose from the earth, and sat upon the bed.

23He refused and said, 'I will not eat.' But his servants joined the woman in urging him until he gave in. He got up from the ground and sat on the couch.

24And the woman had a fatted calf in the house; and she hasted, and killed it; and she took flour, and kneaded it, and did bake unleavened bread thereof:

24The woman had a fattened calf at her house, which she quickly slaughtered. She took flour, kneaded it, and baked bread without yeast.

25and she brought it before Saul, and before his servants; and they did eat. Then they rose up, and went away that night.

25She served the food to Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they got up and left that same night.