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

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

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

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

8. And Saul 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 up, whom I shall name unto thee.

9. And 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?

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

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

12. And 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 Saul.

13. And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth.

14. And he said unto her, What form he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it Samuel, and he stooped with face to the ground, and bowed himself.

15. And 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 Elohim 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.

16. Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing יְהוָ֥ה is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?

17. And יְהוָ֥ה hath done to him, as he spake by me: for יְהוָ֥ה hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, to David:

18. Because thou obeyedst not the voice of יְהוָ֥ה, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath יְהוָ֥ה done this thing unto thee this day.

19. Moreover יְהוָ֥ה will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow thou and thy sons with me: יְהוָ֥ה also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.

20. Then Saul fell straightway all along on 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.

21. And the woman came unto Saul, and saw that he was sore troubled, and said unto him, Behold, 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.

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

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

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

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