1 Samuel 28:3–20

³Now by this time Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had removed the mediums and spiritists from the land.

⁴The Philistines gathered together and camped at Shunem, while Saul gathered all Israel and camped at Gilboa. ⁵When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid and trembled violently. ⁶He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim^a or prophets.

⁷Then Saul said to his servants, “Find me a woman who is a medium, so I can go and consult her.”

“There is a medium at Endor,” his servants replied.

⁸So Saul disguised himself by putting on different clothes, and he set out with two of his men. They came to the woman at night, and Saul said, “Consult a spirit for me. Bring up for me the one I name.”

⁹But the woman replied, “Surely you know what Saul has done, how he has killed the mediums and spiritists in the land. Why have you set a trap to get me killed?”

¹⁰Then Saul swore to her by the LORD: “As surely as the LORD lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this.”

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

“Bring up Samuel,” he replied.

¹²But when the woman saw Samuel, she cried out in a loud voice and said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!”

¹³“Do not be afraid,” the king replied. “What do you see?”

“I see a god^b coming up out of the earth,” the woman answered.

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

“An old man is coming up,” she replied. “And he is wearing a robe.”

So Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed facedown in reverence.

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

“I am deeply distressed,” replied Saul. “The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has turned away from me. He no longer answers me, either by prophets or by dreams. So I have called on you to tell me what to do.”

¹⁶“Why do you consult me,” asked Samuel, “since the LORD has turned away from you and become your enemy? ¹⁷He has done exactly what He spoke through me: The LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor David. ¹⁸Because you did not obey the LORD or carry out His burning anger against Amalek, the LORD has done this to you today. ¹⁹Moreover, the LORD will deliver Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. And the LORD will deliver the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.”

²⁰Immediately Saul fell flat on the ground, terrified by the words of Samuel. And his strength was gone, because he had not eaten anything all that day and night.