| Berean Study Bible | New International Version |
| 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 forces to fight against Israel. Achish said to David, "You must understand that you and your men will accompany me in the army." |
| 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 said, "Then you will see for yourself what your servant can do." Achish replied, "Very well, I will make you my bodyguard for life." |
| 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 was dead, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in his own town of Ramah. Saul had expelled the mediums and spiritists from the land. |
| 4The Philistines came together and camped at Shunem, while Saul gathered all Israel and camped at Gilboa. | 4The Philistines assembled and came and set up camp at Shunem, while Saul gathered all Israel and set up camp at Gilboa. |
| 5When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid and trembled violently. | 5When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid; terror filled his heart. |
| 6He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets. | 6He inquired of the LORD, but the LORD did not answer him by dreams or Urim 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. | 7Saul then said to his attendants, "Find me a woman who is a medium, so I may go and inquire of her." "There is one in Endor," they said. |
| 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, putting on other clothes, and at night he and two men went to the woman. "Consult a spirit for me," he said, "and 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?” | 9But the woman said to him, "Surely you know what Saul has done. He has cut off the mediums and spiritists from the land. Why have you set a trap for my life to bring about my death?" |
| 10Then Saul swore to her by the LORD: “As surely as the LORD lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this.” | 10Saul swore to her by the LORD, "As surely as the LORD lives, you will not be punished for this." |
| 11“Whom shall I bring up for you?” the woman asked. “Bring up Samuel,” he replied. | 11Then the woman asked, "Whom shall I bring up for you?" "Bring up Samuel," he said. |
| 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 at the top of her 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 coming up out of the earth,” the woman answered. | 13The king said to her, "Don't be afraid. What do you see?" The woman said, "I see a ghostly figure coming up out of the earth." |
| 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. | 14"What does he look like?" he asked. "An old man wearing a robe is coming up," she said. Then Saul knew it was Samuel, and he bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground. |
| 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?" "I am in great distress," Saul said. "The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has departed 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? | 16Samuel said, "Why do you consult me, now that the LORD has departed from you and 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 what he predicted through me. The LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hands and given it to one of your neighbors--to David. |
| 18Because you did not obey the LORD or carry out His burning anger against Amalek, the LORD has done this to you today. | 18Because you did not obey the LORD or carry out his fierce wrath against the Amalekites, 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.” | 19The LORD will deliver both Israel and you into the hands of the Philistines, and tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The LORD will also give the army of Israel into the hands 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. | 20Immediately Saul fell full length on the ground, filled with fear because of Samuel's words. His strength was gone, for he had eaten nothing all that day and all that 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 that he was greatly shaken, she said, "Look, your servant has obeyed you. I took my life in my hands and did what you told me to do. |
| 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 please listen to your servant and let me give you some food so you may eat and have the strength to 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. | 23He refused and said, "I will not eat." But his men joined the woman in urging him, and he listened to them. He got up from the ground and sat on the couch. |
| 24The woman had a fattened calf at her house, and she quickly slaughtered it. She also took flour, kneaded it, and baked unleavened bread. | 24The woman had a fattened calf at the house, which she butchered at once. She took some flour, kneaded it and baked bread without yeast. |
| 25She served it to Saul and his servants, and they ate. And that night they got up and left. | 25Then she set it before Saul and his men, and they ate. That same night they got up and left. |
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