ESV

ESV

Click to Change

Return to Top

Return to Top

Printer Icon

Print

Copy
Copy Options
Format by: Verse Paragraph
Strong's
Red Letter
Audio Bibles
The Blue Letter Bible

1 Samuel 28 :: English Standard Version (ESV)

toggle collapse
Choose a new font size and typeface
Audio Bibles

Saul and the Medium of En-dor

Unchecked Copy Box1Sa 28:1 - In those days the Philistines gathered their forces for war, to fight against Israel. And Achish said to David, “Understand that you and your men are to go out with me in the army.”
Unchecked Copy Box1Sa 28:2 - David said to Achish, “Very well, you shall know what your servant can do.” And Achish said to David, “Very well, I will make you my bodyguard for life.”
(cf. Deu 18:9–14 )
Unchecked Copy Box1Sa 28:3 - Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had put the mediums and the necromancers out of the land.
Unchecked Copy Box1Sa 28:4 - The Philistines assembled and came and encamped at Shunem. And Saul gathered all Israel, and they encamped at Gilboa.
Unchecked Copy Box1Sa 28:5 - When Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart trembled greatly.
Unchecked Copy Box1Sa 28:6 - And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets.
Unchecked Copy Box1Sa 28:7 - Then Saul said to his servants, “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 En-dor.”
Unchecked Copy Box1Sa 28:8 - So Saul 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, “Divine for me by a spirit and bring up for me whomever I shall name to you.”
Unchecked Copy Box1Sa 28:9 - The woman said to him, “Surely you know what Saul has done, 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?”
Unchecked Copy Box1Sa 28:10 - But Saul swore to her by the LORD, “As the LORD lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this thing.”
Unchecked Copy Box1Sa 28:11 - Then the woman said, “Whom shall I bring up for you?” He said, “Bring up Samuel for me.”
Unchecked Copy Box1Sa 28:12 - 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.”
Unchecked Copy Box1Sa 28:13 - 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.”
Unchecked Copy Box1Sa 28:14 - He said to her, “What is his appearance?” And she said, “An old man is coming up, and he is wrapped in a robe.” And Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground and paid homage.
Unchecked Copy Box1Sa 28:15 - 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 God has turned away from me and answers me no more, either by prophets or by dreams. Therefore I have summoned you to tell me what I shall do.”
Unchecked Copy Box1Sa 28:16 - And Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since the LORD has turned from you and become your enemy?
Unchecked Copy Box1Sa 28:17 - The LORD has done to you as he spoke by me, for the LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David.
Unchecked Copy Box1Sa 28:18 - Because you did not obey the voice of the LORD and did not carry out his fierce wrath against Amalek, therefore the LORD has done this thing to you this day.
Unchecked Copy Box1Sa 28:19 - Moreover, the LORD will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me. The LORD will give the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines.”
Unchecked Copy Box1Sa 28:20 - Then Saul fell at once full length on the ground, filled with fear because of the words of Samuel. And there was no strength in him, for he had eaten nothing all day and all night.
Unchecked Copy Box1Sa 28:21 - And the woman came to Saul, and when she saw that he was terrified, she said to him, “Behold, your servant has obeyed you. I have taken my life in my hand and have listened to what you have said to me.
Unchecked Copy Box1Sa 28:22 - Now therefore, you also obey your servant. Let me set a morsel of bread before you; and eat, that you may have strength when you go on your way.”
Unchecked Copy Box1Sa 28:23 - He refused and said, “I will not eat.” But his servants, together with the woman, urged him, and he listened to their words. So he arose from the earth and sat on the bed.
Unchecked Copy Box1Sa 28:24 - Now the woman had a fattened calf in the house, and she quickly killed it, and she took flour and kneaded it and baked unleavened bread of it,
Unchecked Copy Box1Sa 28:25 - and she put it before Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they rose and went away that night.
ESV

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version copyright © 2001, 2007, 2011, 2016 by Crossway Books and Bibles, a Publishing Ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

See detailed copyright information.

For more information on this translation, see the ESV Preface.

BLB Searches
Search the Bible
ESV
 [?]

Advanced Options

Other Searches

Multi-Verse Retrieval
x
ESV

Daily Devotionals
x

Blue Letter Bible offers several daily devotional readings in order to help you refocus on Christ and the Gospel of His peace and righteousness.

Daily Bible Reading Plans
x

Recognizing the value of consistent reflection upon the Word of God in order to refocus one's mind and heart upon Christ and His Gospel of peace, we provide several reading plans designed to cover the entire Bible in a year.

One-Year Plans

Two-Year Plan