28:1 And it came to pass in those days, that the Pelishtim gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Yisrael. And Achish said unto David, Know thou assuredly, that thou shalt go out with me to battle, thou and thy men.
28:2 And David said to Achish, Surely thou shalt know what thy eved can do. And Achish said to David, Therefore will I make thee keeper of mine head for ever.
28:3 Now Shemuel was dead, and all Yisrael had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Sha'ul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land.
28:4 And the Pelishtim gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Sha'ul gathered all Yisrael together, and they pitched in Gilboa.
28:5 And when Sha'ul saw the host of the Pelishtim, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled.
28:6 And when Sha'ul enquired of YHWH (יהוה), YHWH (יהוה) answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by Navis.
28:7 Then said Sha'ul unto his avadim, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his avadim said to him, Hinnei, [there is] a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.
28:8 And Sha'ul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me [him] up, whom I shall name unto thee.
28:9 And the woman said unto him, Hinnei, thou knowest what Sha'ul 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?
28:10 And Sha'ul sware to her by YHWH (יהוה), saying, [As] YHWH (יהוה) liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.
28:11 Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Shemuel.
28:12 And when the woman saw Shemuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Sha'ul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou [art] Sha'ul.
28:13 And the melekh said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Sha'ul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth.
28:14 And he said unto her, What form [is] he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he [is] covered with a mantle. And Sha'ul perceived that it [was] Shemuel, and he stooped with [his] face to the ground, and bowed himself.
28:15 And Shemuel said to Sha'ul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Sha'ul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Pelishtim make war against me, and Elohim (אלהים) is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by Navis, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do.
28:16 Then said Shemuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing YHWH (יהוה) is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?
28:17 And YHWH (יהוה) hath done to him, as he spake by me: for YHWH (יהוה) hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, [even] to David:
28:18 Because thou obeyedst not the voice of YHWH (יהוה), nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath YHWH (יהוה) done this thing unto thee this day.
28:19 Moreover YHWH (יהוה) will also deliver Yisrael with thee into the hand of the Pelishtim: and to morrow [shalt] thou and thy sons [be] with me: YHWH (יהוה) also shall deliver the host of Yisrael into the hand of the Pelishtim.
28:20 Then Sha'ul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Shemuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no lechem all the day, nor all the night.
28:21 And the woman came unto Sha'ul, and saw that he was sore troubled, and said unto him, Hinnei, thine handmaid hath obeyed thy voice, and I have put my life in my hand, and have hearkened unto thy words which thou spakest unto me.
28:22 Now therefore, I pray thee, hearken thou also unto the voice of thine handmaid, and let me set a morsel of lechem before thee; and eat, that thou mayest have strength, when thou goest on thy way.
28:23 But he refused, and said, I will not eat. But his avadim, together with the woman, compelled him; and he hearkened unto their voice. So he arose from the earth, and sat upon the bed.
28:24 And the woman had a fat calf in the house; and she hasted, and killed it, and took flour, and kneaded [it], and did bake matzot thereof:
28:25 And she brought [it] before Sha'ul, and before his servants; and they did eat. Then they rose up, and went away that night.