The Philistines Gather against Israel
Now in those days the Philistines gathered their forces for warfare against Israel. So Achish said to David, “You must understand that you and your men are to go out to battle with me.” 1Sa 17:11Sa 29:1-31Sa 13:51Sa 27:121Sa 7:7Jdg 3:1-4
David replied, “Then you will come to know what your servant can do.” 1Sa 27:102Sa 16:16-19Rom 12:9
“Very well,” said Achish. “I will make you my bodyguard for life.”
Now by this time Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had removed the mediums and spiritists from the land. Lev 19:311Sa 25:1Lev 20:27Exo 22:18Deu 18:10-111Sa 15:231Sa 28:91Sa 7:17
The Philistines came together and camped at Shunem, while Saul gathered all Israel and camped at Gilboa. 1Sa 31:1Jos 19:182Ki 4:82Sa 1:212Sa 1:62Sa 21:12 When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid and trembled violently. Dan 5:6Isa 21:3-4Isa 57:20-21Isa 7:2Job 18:11Pro 10:24Psa 48:5-6Psa 73:19 He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim 1or prophets. Num 12:61Sa 14:37Lam 2:9Num 27:21Ezk 20:1-3Jas 4:3Deu 33:8Exo 28:30
Saul and the Medium of Endor
Then Saul said to his servants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so I can go and consult her.” Act 16:161Ch 10:13Jos 17:11Psa 83:10Hab 2:3Isa 8:19-20Lev 19:312Ki 1:2-3
“There is a medium at Endor,” his servants replied.
So 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.” 1Ch 10:13Isa 8:191Ki 22:302Ch 18:292Ch 35:22Deu 18:10-111Ki 14:2-3Jer 23:24
But 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?” 1Sa 28:32Ki 5:72Sa 18:13
Then Saul swore to her by the LORD: “As surely as the LORD lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this.” 2Sa 14:111Sa 14:391Sa 19:6Deu 18:10-12Exo 20:7Gen 3:5Mat 26:72Mrk 6:23
“Whom shall I bring up for you?” the woman asked.
“Bring up Samuel,” he replied.
But when the woman saw Samuel, she cried out in a loud voice and said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!” 1Ki 14:51Sa 28:3
“Do not be afraid,” the king replied. “What do you see?” Exo 22:28Exo 4:16Jhn 10:34-35Psa 82:6-7
“I see a god 2coming up out of the earth,” the woman answered.
“What does he look like?” asked Saul. 1Sa 15:271Sa 24:82Ki 2:13-142Ki 2:8
“An old man is coming up,” she replied. “And he is wearing a robe.”
So Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed facedown in reverence.
Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Luk 16:23-261Sa 28:61Sa 18:121Sa 16:13-14Hos 9:12Jer 2:17-18Pro 14:141Sa 23:2
“I am deeply distressed,” replied Saul. “The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has turned away from me. He no longer answers me, either by prophets or by dreams. So I have called on you to tell me what to do.”
“Why do you consult me,” asked Samuel, “since the LORD has turned away from you and become your enemy? 2Ki 6:27Lam 2:5Psa 68:1-3Rev 18:20Rev 18:24Jdg 5:31 He has done exactly what He spoke through me: The LORD has torn the kingship out of your hand and given it to your neighbor David. 1Sa 15:27-291Sa 24:201Sa 13:13-141Sa 16:13Pro 16:4 Because you did not obey the LORD or carry out His burning anger against Amalek, the LORD has done this to you today. 1Ki 20:421Sa 15:9Jer 48:101Ch 10:131Sa 13:91Sa 15:201Sa 15:23-26Psa 50:21-22 Moreover, 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.” 1Ki 22:201Ki 22:281Sa 12:251Sa 31:1-6Act 5:5Act 5:9-10Exo 9:18Jer 28:16-17
Immediately 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. 1Sa 25:371Sa 28:5Job 15:20-24Job 26:2Psa 50:21-22
When 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. Jdg 12:31Sa 19:5Job 13:14 Now 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.”
Saul 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. 1Ki 21:42Co 5:142Ki 4:82Ki 5:13Act 16:15Luk 14:23Luk 24:29Pro 25:20
The woman had a fattened calf at her house, and she quickly slaughtered it. She also took flour, kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread. Luk 15:23Gen 18:7-8 She served it to Saul and his servants, and they ate. And that night they got up and left.