扫罗求问巫婆

28 非利士人召集大军与以色列人交战。亚吉对大卫说:“你应该明白,你和部下要随我一起出战。” 大卫答道:“仆人愿意效劳。”亚吉说:“很好!你就终生做我的护卫吧。” 那时撒母耳已经死了,以色列举国都为他哀悼,把他葬在他的家乡拉玛。当时,扫罗把所有占卜和行巫术的都逐出了以色列。 非利士人集合起来,在书念扎营,扫罗率领以色列军队在基利波扎营。 扫罗看见非利士军队声势浩大,感到胆战心惊, 就求问耶和华,但耶和华没有借着梦、乌陵或先知回答他。 于是,扫罗命令臣仆找一个巫婆来,好求问她。臣仆在隐·多珥找到一个巫婆。

扫罗乔装打扮,由两个人陪同乘夜赶到那妇人家里,说:“请你用法术把我要求问的亡灵招上来吧。” 妇人对他说:“你知道扫罗铲除了国内占卜的和行巫术的,你为何来陷害我,置我于死地?” 10 扫罗凭耶和华向妇人起誓,说:“我凭永活的耶和华起誓,你必不会因为此事而受到惩罚。” 11 妇人问道:“你想让我招谁上来呢?”扫罗答道:“招撒母耳上来。” 12 妇人看见了撒母耳,就惊叫起来,对扫罗说:“你是扫罗,你为什么骗我呢?” 13 扫罗对她说:“不用害怕,你看见什么了?”妇人说:“我看见一个灵从地里上来。” 14 扫罗说:“他是什么模样?”妇人说:“是个身披长袍的老人。”扫罗知道是撒母耳,便俯伏在地,向他下拜。 15 撒母耳对扫罗说:“你为什么打扰我,招我上来呢?”扫罗答道:“我深陷困境,非利士人与我们交战,上帝也撇弃了我,不再借着先知或梦来回答我。因此,我只好招你上来,好告诉我该怎么办。” 16 撒母耳说:“既然耶和华已经离弃了你,与你为敌,你为什么还来问我? 17 耶和华应验了祂借着我所说的预言,祂已把你的国权夺去,交给了你的同胞大卫。 18 耶和华今天这样对待你,是因为你没有听从祂的吩咐,没有把祂憎恶的亚玛力人灭绝。 19 耶和华必把你和以色列人交在非利士人手里,明天你和你的儿子们必跟我在一起了。耶和华必把以色列的军队交在非利士人手里。”

20 扫罗听了撒母耳的话,顿时吓得浑身僵直,倒在地上,一天一夜没有进食,毫无力气。 21 妇人到扫罗跟前,看见他惊恐万分,就对他说:“婢女冒着生命危险服从你的命令,照你的吩咐做了。 22 现在,请你听婢女的话,让我给你一些食物吃,你好有体力赶路。” 23 扫罗不肯,说:“我不吃。”他的随从和妇人再三劝告,他才同意了,从地上起来坐到床上。 24 妇人连忙宰了家中一只小肥牛,又和面烤了无酵饼, 25 摆在扫罗和他的随从面前,他们吃完后,当天晚上就离开了。

Chapter 28

In those days the Philistines gathered together their armies to fight against Israel. Achish said to David, “Know that you and your men are to go out to battle with me.” David said to Achish, “Then you will know for sure what your servant can do.” Achish said to David, “You will, therefore, be my bodyguard from now on.”

Samuel was dead, and all of Israel had mourned for him and had buried him in Ramah, his own city. Saul had expelled mediums and wizards from out of the land. The Philistines assembled together and went and camped at Shunem. Saul gathered together all of Israel and they camped at Gilboa. [a]When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid, and his heart trembled. Saul inquired of the Lord, but the Lord did not answer him in dreams, or by the Urim, or through the prophets.

Saul and the Medium. Saul said to his servants, “Find me a woman who is a medium so that I can go to her and inquire of her.” His servants answered, “There is a woman who is a medium in Endor.” Saul disguised himself, putting on other clothes. He went with two men, and they came to the woman by night. He said, “Please consult a spirit for me, bring up the one whose name I give you.” But the woman said to him, “You surely know what Saul has done, how he has expelled mediums and wizards out of the land. Why would you set a trap for my life, bringing on my death?” 10 Saul swore an oath to her by the Lord saying, “As the Lord lives, you will not be punished for this.” 11 The woman asked, “Whom shall I bring up for you,” and he answered, “Bring up Samuel for me.”

12 Samuel Appears. When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out in a loud voice, and the woman said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me, Saul?” 13 The king said to her, “Do not be afraid! What did you see?” She said to Saul, “I saw a spirit coming up from the earth.” 14 He said to her, “What does he look like?” She said, “An old man wearing a robe came up.” Saul realized that it was Samuel, and he bowed down and prostrated his face to the ground.

15 Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you bothered me by bringing me up?” Saul answered, “I am in great distress. The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has turned against me. He does not answer me anymore, either by prophets or by dreams. I have called upon you so that you can make known to me what I should do.” 16 Samuel said, “Why do you question me now that the Lord has turned against you and has become your enemy? 17 The Lord has done for himself exactly what he predicted through me. The Lord has ripped the kingdom out of your hand, and he has given it to your neighbor, to David. 18 You did not heed the voice of the Lord nor enact his fierce rage against Amalek. Therefore, the Lord has done this thing to you today. 19 The Lord will hand over both you and Israel into the hands of the Philistines. Tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The Lord will also deliver the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines.”

20 The Medium Feeds Saul. Saul fell full length upon the ground for he was terrified because of what Samuel had said. His strength was gone, for he had not eaten anything all day and night. 21 When the woman came up to Saul and saw that he was greatly troubled, she said to him, “Look, your handmaid has obeyed your command. I have taken my life in my hands when I did what you had ordered me to do. 22 Therefore, please heed the voice of your handmaid. Let me give you something to eat, and then you will have the strength to go on your way.” 23 [b]He refused and said, “I will not eat!”

But both his servants and the woman kept urging him, and he finally listened to them. He got up off the ground and sat on the couch. 24 The woman had a fatted calf in the house, and she quickly killed it. She took some flour, kneaded it, and baked it into loaves of unleavened bread. 25 She set it before Saul and his servants. They ate, and then they got up and went on their way that night.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 28:5 Saul is so unnerved by the approach of the Philistine army and so removed from the guidance of the Lord, that he resorts to the occult for direction, going against his own prohibition.
  2. 1 Samuel 28:23 Saul could no longer hide from the terrible indictment against him. God’s rejection has plummeted him into an abyss of despair, and he must be forced to eat.

28 In those days the Philistines gathered(A) their forces to fight against Israel. Achish said to David, “You must understand that you and your men will accompany me in the army.”

David said, “Then you will see for yourself what your servant can do.”

Achish replied, “Very well, I will make you my bodyguard(B) for life.”

Saul and the Medium at Endor

Now Samuel was dead,(C) and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in his own town of Ramah.(D) Saul had expelled(E) the mediums and spiritists(F) from the land.

The Philistines assembled and came and set up camp at Shunem,(G) while Saul gathered all Israel and set up camp at Gilboa.(H) When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid; terror(I) filled his heart. He inquired(J) of the Lord, but the Lord did not answer him by dreams(K) or Urim(L) or prophets.(M) Saul then said to his attendants, “Find me a woman who is a medium,(N) so I may go and inquire of her.”

“There is one in Endor,(O)” they said.

So Saul disguised(P) himself, putting on other clothes, and at night he and two men went to the woman. “Consult(Q) a spirit for me,” he said, “and bring up for me the one I name.”

But the woman said to him, “Surely you know what Saul has done. He has cut off(R) the mediums and spiritists from the land. Why have you set a trap(S) for my life to bring about my death?”

10 Saul swore to her by the Lord, “As surely as the Lord lives, you will not be punished for this.”

11 Then the woman asked, “Whom shall I bring up for you?”

“Bring up Samuel,” he said.

12 When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out at the top of her voice and said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me?(T) You are Saul!”

13 The king said to her, “Don’t be afraid. What do you see?”

The woman said, “I see a ghostly figure[a] coming up out of the earth.”(U)

14 “What does he look like?” he asked.

“An old man wearing a robe(V) is coming up,” she said.

Then Saul knew it was Samuel, and he bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground.

15 Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?”

“I am in great distress,” Saul said. “The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has departed(W) from me. He no longer answers(X) me, either by prophets or by dreams.(Y) So I have called on you to tell me what to do.”

16 Samuel said, “Why do you consult me, now that the Lord has departed from you and become your enemy? 17 The Lord has done what he predicted through me. The Lord has torn(Z) the kingdom out of your hands and given it to one of your neighbors—to David. 18 Because you did not obey(AA) the Lord or carry out his fierce wrath(AB) against the Amalekites,(AC) the Lord has done this to you today. 19 The Lord will deliver both Israel and you into the hands of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons(AD) will be with me. The Lord will also give the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines.”

20 Immediately Saul fell full length on the ground, filled with fear because of Samuel’s words. His strength was gone, for he had eaten nothing all that day and all that night.

21 When the woman came to Saul and saw that he was greatly shaken, she said, “Look, your servant has obeyed you. I took my life(AE) in my hands and did what you told me to do. 22 Now please listen to your servant and let me give you some food so you may eat and have the strength to go on your way.”

23 He refused(AF) and said, “I will not eat.”

But his men joined the woman in urging him, and he listened to them. He got up from the ground and sat on the couch.

24 The woman had a fattened calf(AG) at the house, which she butchered at once. She took some flour, kneaded it and baked bread without yeast. 25 Then she set it before Saul and his men, and they ate. That same night they got up and left.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 28:13 Or see spirits; or see gods

28 And it came to pass in those days, that the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. And Achish said unto David, Know thou assuredly, that thou shalt go out with me to battle, thou and thy men.

And David said to Achish, Surely thou shalt know what thy servant can do. And Achish said to David, Therefore will I make thee keeper of mine head for ever.

Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land.

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

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

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

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, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.

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 him up, whom I shall name unto thee.

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 the Lord, saying, As the Lord 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 art 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 is he of? And she said, An old man cometh up; and he is covered with a mantle. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his 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 God 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 the Lord is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?

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

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

19 Moreover the Lord will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the Lord 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 it, and did bake unleavened bread thereof:

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

The Philistines Prepare to Fight against Israel

28 At that time the Philistines assembled their army for war to fight against Israel. Achish told David, “You know, of course, that you and your men will go out with me into the battle.”

David told Achish, “Very well, you will now see[a] what your servant will do.”

Achish told David, “Very well, I’ll appoint you as my permanent bodyguard.”

Saul and the Medium at Endor

Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in his own town of Ramah. Saul had expelled the mediums and spiritists from the land.

The Philistines assembled, moved out, and camped at Shunem, while Saul assembled all Israel and camped at Gilboa. When Saul saw the Philistine camp, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. Saul inquired of the Lord, but the Lord did not answer him, either through dreams or Urim[b] or through prophets. Saul told his servants, “Find me a woman who is a medium so I can go to her and make my inquiry through her.”

His servants told him, “Look, there’s a woman at Endor who is a medium.”

Saul disguised himself, putting on different clothes. He went along with two men to the woman at night. He said, “Consult a familiar spirit for me and bring up for me the one whom I tell you.”

The woman told him, “Look, you know what Saul has done. He has removed mediums and spiritists from the land, so why are you trying to entrap me, so as to cause my death?”

10 Saul swore to her by the Lord: “As surely as the Lord lives, no punishment will come on you for this thing.”

11 The woman said, “Whom shall I bring up for you?”

Saul[c] said, “Bring up Samuel for me.”

12 When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out loudly.[d] The woman told Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!”

13 The king told her, “Don’t be afraid; but what do you see?”

The woman told Saul, “I see a divine being[e] coming up out of the ground.”

14 Saul[f] told her, “What does he look like?”

She said, “An old man is coming up, and he’s wrapped in a robe.” Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed low to the ground and prostrated himself.

Samuel’s Message to Saul

15 Samuel told Saul, “Why did you disturb me by bringing me up?”

Saul said, “I’m in great distress. The Philistines are waging war against me. God has departed from me and won’t answer me anymore, either by messages written by[g] the hand of the prophets or by dreams. So I’ve summoned you to tell me what I should do.”

16 Samuel said, “Why do you ask me, since the Lord has departed from you and become your enemy? 17 The Lord has done to you exactly as he spoke through me.[h] The Lord has torn the kingdom away from you[i] and has given it to your colleague David. 18 Because you didn’t obey the Lord and didn’t display his fierce anger against Amalek, therefore, the Lord will do this thing to you today. 19 The Lord is giving both you, and Israel with you, into Philistine control. Tomorrow, the Lord will give you, your sons with you, and also the army of Israel into the control[j] of the Philistines.”

The Medium Attends to Saul

20 Saul immediately fell down full-length on the ground. He was terrified because of Samuel’s words, and he had no strength because he had not eaten food all day and all night. 21 Then the woman came to Saul and saw that he was very disturbed. She told him, “Look, your servant[k] obeyed you. I put my life into your hands, and I listened to your words that you spoke to me. 22 Now, please listen to your servant.[l] I’ll put a piece of bread before you so you can eat and have strength to go on your way.”[m]

23 Saul[n] refused, saying, “I won’t eat!”

Both his servants and the woman urged him, and so he listened to them. He got up off the ground and sat on the bed. 24 The woman had a fattened calf in the house, and she quickly slaughtered it. She took flour, kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread. 25 She brought it to Saul and to his servants, and they ate. Then they got up and went out that night.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 28:2 Lit. you will know
  2. 1 Samuel 28:6 I.e. a device used by the priest to determine God’s will
  3. 1 Samuel 28:11 Lit. He
  4. 1 Samuel 28:12 Lit. with a loud voice
  5. 1 Samuel 28:13 Or a spirit; or a god
  6. 1 Samuel 28:14 Lit. He
  7. 1 Samuel 28:15 The Heb. lacks messages written by
  8. 1 Samuel 28:17 Lit. by my hand
  9. 1 Samuel 28:17 Lit. from your hand
  10. 1 Samuel 28:19 Lit. hand
  11. 1 Samuel 28:21 Lit. maidservant
  12. 1 Samuel 28:22 Lit. maidservant
  13. 1 Samuel 28:22 Lit. the way
  14. 1 Samuel 28:23 Lit. He