1 Samuel 28:3-15

English Standard Version

³ Now ^(A)Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him ^(B)in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had put ^(C)the mediums and the necromancers out of the land. ⁴ The Philistines assembled and came and encamped ^(D)at Shunem. And Saul gathered all Israel, and they encamped ^(E)at Gilboa. ⁵ When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly. ⁶ And when Saul inquired of the Lord, ^(F)the Lord did not answer him, either ^(G)by dreams, or ^(H)by Urim, or by prophets. ⁷ Then Saul said to his servants, ^(I)“Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her.” And his servants said to him, “Behold, there is a medium at ^(J)En-dor.”

⁸ So Saul ^(K)disguised himself and put on other garments and went, he and two men with him. And they came to the woman by night. And he said, ^(L)“Divine for me by a spirit and bring up for me whomever I shall name to you.” ⁹ The woman said to him, “Surely you know what Saul has done, ^(M)how he has cut off the mediums and the necromancers from the land. Why then are you laying a trap for my life to bring about my death?” ¹⁰ But Saul swore to her by the Lord, ^(N)“As the Lord lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this thing.” ¹¹ Then the woman said, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” He said, “Bring up Samuel for me.” ¹² When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice. And the woman said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul.” ¹³ The king said to her, “Do not be afraid. What do you see?” And the woman said to Saul, “I see a god coming up out of the earth.” ¹⁴ He said to her, “What is his appearance?” And she said, “An old man is coming up, and he is wrapped ^(O)in a robe.” And Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground and paid homage.

¹⁵ Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Saul answered, “I am in great distress, for the Philistines are warring against me, and ^(P)God has turned away from me and ^(Q)answers me no more, either by prophets or by dreams. Therefore I have summoned you to tell me what I shall do.”