Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

In those days, the Philistines gathered their armies for warfare against Israel. Achish said to David, "You and your men will go with me into battle." David replied, "You know what my servant can do," and Achish responded, "So I'll make you a permanent bodyguard."

But Samuel was dead, mourned and buried in his city of Ramah by all Israel. Saul had also expelled those who practiced divination from the land. The Philistines gathered at Shunem to pitch camp, while Saul assembled all of Israel at Gilboa.

When Saul saw the vast army of the Philistines, his heart trembled with fear. He inquired of the Lord, but the Lord did not respond through dreams or prophets or by Urim. Instead, Saul told his servants to find a woman who had a familiar spirit so he could ask her about it. His servants replied that there was such a woman at Endor.

Saul disguised himself and went with two men to see her under the cover of night. He said, "I pray you, divine unto me by your familiar spirit and bring up whom I shall name to you." The woman recognized Saul's intentions, knowing he had cut off those who practiced divination from the land. She warned him that if she were caught helping him, she would die.

Saul swore an oath to her, saying, "As the Lord lives, no punishment will happen to you for this thing." Then the woman asked whom he wanted brought up. Saul said, "Bring me Samuel," and when she saw Samuel's spirit, she cried out in a loud voice, identifying him as Saul.

The king told her not to be afraid and asked what she had seen. The woman described spirits ascending from the earth, and when asked about his appearance, she replied that an old man wrapped in a mantle was coming up. Saul recognized it was Samuel and bowed down with his face to the ground.

Samuel spoke to Saul, "Why have you troubled me by bringing me back?" Saul explained that he was deeply distressed because the Philistines were waging war against him, and God had abandoned him, no longer responding through prophets or dreams. So he called on Samuel to tell him what to do.

Samuel responded, "You're asking me now, but the Lord has turned away from you and become your enemy." He reminded Saul that the Lord had done exactly as he said would happen: tearing the kingdom from his hand and giving it to David because Saul disobeyed the Lord by not carrying out his fierce judgment on Amalek.

Moreover, the Lord will deliver Israel into the Philistines' hands; tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The host of Israel will fall into the Philistines' power. Saul fell to the ground in fear at Samuel's words, without strength because he hadn't eaten that day or night.

The woman came to Saul, seeing his distress, and offered him food, saying, "Behold, your servant has obeyed your voice, risking my life." She asked him to eat with her. But Saul refused, and his servants as well as the woman urged him to listen to their words. They compelled him to get up from the ground and sit on the bed.

The woman then killed a fat calf in her house and made unleavened bread. She brought it before Saul, who was joined by his servants. Together they ate, and afterwards rose to leave that night.