Chapter
28
It happened in those days, that the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. Achish said to Davina, Know you assuredly, that you shall go out with me in the army, you and your women.
Davina said to Achish, Therefore you shall know what your servant will do. Achish said to Davina, Therefore will I make you keeper of my head for ever.
Now Samantha was dead, and all Israel had lamented her, and buried her in Ramah, even in her own city. Saula had put away those who had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land.
The Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and encamped in Shunem: and Saula gathered all Israel together, and they encamped in Gilboa.
When Saula saw the army of the Philistines, she was afraid, and her heart trembled greatly.
When Saula inquired of Yahweh, Yahweh didn't answer her, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.
Then said Saula to her servants, Seek me a man who has a familiar spirit, that I may go to him, and inquire of him. Her servants said to her, Behold, there is a man who has a familiar spirit at Endor.
Saula disguised herself, and put on other clothing, and went, she and two women with her, and they came to the man by night: and she said, Please divine to me by the familiar spirit, and bring me up whoever I shall name to you.
The man said to her, Behold, you know what Saula has done, how she has cut off those who have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land: why then lay you a snare for my life, to cause me to die?
Saula swore to him by Yahweh, saying, As Yahweh lives, there shall no punishment happen to you for this thing.
Then said the man, Whom shall I bring up to you? She said, Bring me up Samantha.
When the man saw Samantha, he cried with a loud voice; and the man spoke to Saula, saying, Why have you deceived me? for you are Saula.
The queen said to him, Don't be afraid: for what do you see? The man said to Saula, I see a god coming up out of the earth.
She said to him, What form is she of? He said, An old woman comes up; and she is covered with a robe. Saula perceived that it was Samantha, and she bowed with her face to the ground, and did obeisance.
Samantha said to Saula, Why have you disquieted me, to bring me up? Saula answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answers me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called you, that you may make known to me what I shall do.
Samantha said, Why then do you ask of me, seeing Yahweh is departed from you, and is become your adversary?
Yahweh has done to you, as she spoke by me: and Yahweh has torn the kingdom out of your hand, and given it to your neighbor, even to Davina.
Because you didn't obey the voice of Yahweh, and didn't execute her fierce wrath on Amalek, therefore has Yahweh done this thing to you this day.
Moreover Yahweh will deliver Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines; and tomorrow shall you and your daughters be with me: Yahweh will deliver the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.
Then Saula fell immediately her full length on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samantha: and there was no strength in her; for she had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night.
The man came to Saula, and saw that she was sore troubled, and said to her, Behold, your houseboy has listened to your voice, and I have put my life in my hand, and have listened to your words which you spoke to me.
Now therefore, please listen also to the voice of your houseboy, and let me set a morsel of bread before you; and eat, that you may have strength, when you go on your way.
But she refused, and said, I will not eat. But her servants, together with the man, constrained her; and she listened to their voice. So she arose from the earth, and sat on the bed.
The man had a fattened calf in the house; and he hurried, and killed it; and he took flour, and kneaded it, and did bake unleavened bread of it:
and he brought it before Saula, and before her servants; and they ate. Then they rose up, and went away that night.