In those days, the Philistines gathered their forces to fight Israel. Achish said to David, "You and your men must go with me into the army."
David replied, "Then you will see what your servant can do." Achish said, "Very well, I will make you my bodyguard for life."
Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned him and buried him in his hometown of Ramah. Saul had expelled all mediums and spiritists from the land.
The Philistines assembled and set up camp at Shunem, while Saul gathered the Israelites and camped at Gilboa.
When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was filled with fear and terror. He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him—not by dreams, Urim, or prophets.
Saul then said to his attendants, "Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may inquire of her." They replied, "There is one in Endor."
So Saul disguised himself, putting on different clothes, and went at night with two men to the woman. "Consult a spirit for me," he said, "and bring up for me the one I name."
The woman asked, "Surely you know what Saul has done—he has cut off all the mediums and spiritists from the land. Why set a trap for my life to bring about my death?"
Saul swore to her by the LORD, "As surely as the LORD lives, you will not be punished for this."
Then the woman asked, "Whom shall I bring up for you?" "Bring up Samuel," he said.
When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out at the top of her voice, "Why have you deceived me? You are Saul!"
The king said, "Don't be afraid. What do you see?"
The woman replied, "I see a spirit coming up out of the ground."
Saul asked, "What does he look like?" "An old man wearing a robe is coming up," she said. Then Saul realized it was Samuel, and he bowed down, prostrating himself with his face to the ground.
Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?"
Saul replied, "I am in great distress. The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has turned away from me. He no longer answers me through prophets or dreams. That is why I have called on you—to tell me what to do."
Samuel said, "Why do you consult me now, since the LORD has turned against you and become your enemy? The LORD has done what He foretold through me: He has torn the kingdom from your hands and given it to one of your neighbors—David.
Because you did not obey the LORD or carry out His fierce wrath against the Amalekites, this has happened to you today. The LORD will hand both Israel and you over to the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The LORD will also give Israel's army into the Philistines' hands."
Immediately Saul fell full length on the ground, filled with fear at Samuel's words. His strength was gone, for he had eaten nothing all day or night.
Seeing Saul greatly shaken, the woman said, "Look, your maidservant obeyed you. I risked my life and did what you told me. Now let me give you some food so you may eat and gain strength."
Saul refused, saying, "I will not eat." But his men urged him, and he finally got up and sat on the couch.
The woman had a fattened calf, which she quickly butchered. She kneaded flour and baked bread without yeast. Then she set it before Saul and his men, and they ate. That same night, they left.