| Berean Study Bible | NET Bible |
| 1Now in those days the Philistines gathered their forces for warfare against Israel. So Achish said to David, “You must understand that you and your men are to go out to battle with me.” | 1In those days the Philistines gathered their troops for war in order to fight Israel. Achish said to David, "You should fully understand that you and your men must go with me into the battle." |
| 2David replied, “Then you will come to know what your servant can do.” “Very well,” said Achish. “I will make you my bodyguard for life.” | 2David replied to Achish, "That being the case, you will come to know what your servant can do!" Achish said to David, "Then I will make you my bodyguard from now on." |
| 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. | 3Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had lamented over him and had buried him in Ramah, his hometown. In the meantime Saul had removed the mediums and magicians from the land. |
| 4The Philistines came together and camped at Shunem, while Saul gathered all Israel and camped at Gilboa. | 4The Philistines assembled; they came and camped at Shunem. Saul mustered all Israel and camped at Gilboa. |
| 5When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid and trembled violently. | 5When Saul saw the camp of the Philistines, he was absolutely terrified. |
| 6He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets. | 6So Saul inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him--not by dreams nor by Urim nor by the 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. | 7So Saul instructed his servants, "Find me a woman who is a medium, so that I may go to her and inquire of her." His servants replied to him, "There is a woman who is a medium in Endor." |
| 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.” | 8So Saul disguised himself and put on other clothing and left, accompanied by two of his men. They came to the woman at night and said, "Use your ritual pit to conjure up for me the one I tell you." |
| 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?” | 9But the woman said to him, "Look, you are aware of what Saul has done; he has removed the mediums and magicians from the land! Why are you trapping me so you can put me to death?" |
| 10Then Saul swore to her by the LORD: “As surely as the LORD lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this.” | 10But Saul swore an oath to her by the LORD, "As surely as the LORD lives, you will not incur guilt in this matter!" |
| 11“Whom shall I bring up for you?” the woman asked. “Bring up Samuel,” he replied. | 11The woman replied, "Who is it that I should bring up for you?" He said, "Bring up for me Samuel." |
| 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!” | 12When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out loudly. The woman 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 coming up out of the earth,” the woman answered. | 13The king said to her, "Don't be afraid! What have you seen?" The woman replied to Saul, "I have seen one like a god coming up from the ground!" |
| 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. | 14He said to her, "What about his appearance?" She said, "An old man is coming up! He is wrapped in a robe!" Then Saul realized it was Samuel, and he bowed his face toward the ground and kneeled down. |
| 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.” | 15Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?" Saul replied, "I am terribly troubled! The Philistines are fighting against me and God has turned away from me. He does not answer me--not by the prophets nor by dreams. So I have called on you to tell me what I should do." |
| 16“Why do you consult me,” asked Samuel, “since the LORD has turned away from you and become your enemy? | 16Samuel said, "Why are you asking me, now that the LORD has turned away from you and has become your enemy? |
| 17He has done exactly what He spoke through me: The LORD has torn the kingship out of your hand and given it to your neighbor David. | 17The LORD has done exactly as I prophesied! The LORD has torn the kingdom from your hand and has 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. | 18Since you did not obey the LORD and did not carry out his fierce anger against the Amalekites, the LORD has done this thing 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.” | 19The LORD will hand you and Israel over to the Philistines! Tomorrow both you and your sons will be with me. The LORD will also hand the army of Israel over to 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. | 20Saul quickly fell full length on the ground and was very afraid because of Samuel's words. He was completely drained of energy, not having eaten anything all that day and night. |
| 21When the woman came to Saul and saw how distraught he was, she said to him, “Look, your maidservant has obeyed your voice. I took my life in my hands and did as you told me. | 21When the woman came to Saul and saw how terrified he was, she said to him, "Your servant has done what you asked. I took my life into my own hands and did what you told me. |
| 22Now please listen to your servant and let me set a morsel of bread before you so you may eat and have the strength to go on your way.” | 22Now it's your turn to listen to your servant! Let me set before you a bit of bread so that you can eat. When you regain your strength, you can go on your way." |
| 23Saul refused, saying, “I will not eat.” But his servants joined the woman in urging him, and he heeded their voice. He got up from the ground and sat on the bed. | 23But he refused, saying, "I won't eat!" Both his servants and the woman urged him to eat, so he gave in. He got up from the ground and sat down on the bed. |
| 24The woman had a fattened calf at her house, and she quickly slaughtered it. She also took flour, kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread. | 24Now the woman had a well-fed calf at her home that she quickly slaughtered. Taking some flour, she kneaded bread and baked it without leaven. |
| 25She served it to Saul and his servants, and they ate. And that night they got up and left. | 25She brought it to Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they arose and left that same night. |
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