1 And it came about in those days that the Philistines gathered their forces into an army to fight against Israel. And Achish said to David, “You certainly know {yadoa: with full awareness} that you and your men will go out with me in the camp {machaneh: military encampment}.”
2 And David said to Achish, “Therefore you will know what your servant will do.” And Achish said to David, “Therefore I will appoint you as guard {shomer: protector} for my head all the days {kol hayamim: continual duration}.”
3 Now Samuel had died, and all Israel mourned {yispedu: ritual lament} for him, and they buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul {Sha'ul: the requested one} removed the mediums and the spiritists from the land.
4 And the Philistines assembled and came and encamped at Shunem, and Saul gathered all Israel {yisrael: covenant nation} and encamped at Gilboa {gilboa: mountain ridge}.
5 And Saul {Shaʾul: anointed king} saw the camp of the Philistines, and fear came upon him, and his heart {libbo: inner being} shook greatly.
6 And Saul inquired of the LORD {YHWH, Divine Guide}, but the LORD gave him no reply—neither through dreams {chalomot: nocturnal revelations}, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.
7 And Saul said to his servants, “Seek for me a woman who is a medium {baalat-ov: medium of spirits}, so that I may go to her and inquire {edresha: seek with diligence}.” And his servants said to him, “Behold, there is a woman who is a medium at En-dor.”
8 And Saul {Shaʾul: Israel’s first king} disguised himself and put on other clothes, and he went, he and two men with him. And they came to the woman at night, and he said, “Please divine for me by the spirit {ov: conduit to the dead}, and bring up for me whomever I tell you.”
9 And the woman said to him, “Behold, you know what Saul has done—how he cut off the mediums and the spiritists from the land. And why are you setting a snare {mitnakqesh: laying trap} for my life {nephesh: life essence} to put me to death?”
10 And Saul swore to her by the LORD {YHWH, Oath Witness}, saying, “As the LORD lives, no guilt {awon: moral liability} will befall you in this matter.”
11 And the woman {ishah: female medium} said, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” And he said, “Bring up Samuel {shemu’el: asked of God} for me.”
12 And the woman saw Samuel, and she cried out {tiz’aq: involuntary outcry} with a loud voice, and she said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me {rimitani: led me astray}? You are Saul!”
13 And the king said to her, “Do not be afraid, for what did you see?” And the woman said to Saul, “I saw a divine being {Elohim: Otherworldly Being} ascending {olim: emerging upward} from the earth.”
14 And he said to her, “What is his appearance?” And she replied, “An old man is coming up and he is wrapped in a robe {me’il: distinctive outer garment}.” Then Saul realized that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face {appayim: face} to the ground and prostrated himself.
15 And Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?” Saul answered, “I am in great distress, and the Philistines are fighting against me. God {Elohim, Divine Judge} has turned away from me and does not answer me anymore, whether by the hand of the prophets {neviʾim: message-bearers} or by dreams. Therefore I have called you to make known to me what I should do.”
16 And Samuel said, “Why do you ask me? The LORD {YHWH, Righteous Judge} has turned away from you and has become your adversary {arekha: legal adversary}.”
17 And the LORD {YHWH, Sovereign Executor} has done to you just as He spoke by my hand {yad: instrument of agency}. The LORD has torn the kingdom from your hand and has given it to your neighbor, to David.
18 Just as you did not listen to the voice of the LORD {YHWH, Righteous Judge} and did not carry out His burning anger {kharon: fierce wrath} against Amalek, therefore the LORD has done this thing to you today.
19 And the LORD {YHWH, Ultimate Disposer} will also give Israel {Yisrael: covenant nation} along with you into the hand of the Philistines. And tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. Also the LORD will give the camp of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.
20 Then Saul {shaul: King of Israel} hurried and fell full length to the ground, and he feared greatly because of the words of Samuel; there was also no strength {koach: physical power} in him, for he had not eaten bread all the day and all the night.
21 And the woman came to Saul and saw that he was greatly troubled {nivhal: intensely distressed}, and she said to him, “Behold, your maidservant {shifchah: humble attendant} has listened to your voice, and I have put my life in my hand and have listened to your words which you spoke to me.”
22 So now, please also listen to the voice of your maidservant {shifchah: Female Household Servant} and let me put before you a piece of bread; then eat and let there be strength {koach: Ability to Endure} in you, for you will go on the way.
23 He refused and said, “I will not eat.” Yet his servants and also the woman pressed {perets: Forceful Urging} him, so he listened to their voice {kol: Collective Appeal}. Then he arose from the ground and sat upon the couch.
24 Now the woman {ishah: female householder} had a fattened calf in the house; she hurried and slaughtered it. She took flour {kemach: finely milled meal}, kneaded it, and baked it as unleavened bread.
25 Then she approached {vatagesh: brought near} Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they arose and departed {vayelchu: set out} that night.