1 Samuel 28:3-19

New Catholic Bible

³ Samuel was dead, and all of Israel had mourned for him and had buried him in Ramah, his own city. Saul had expelled mediums and wizards from out of the land. ⁴ The Philistines assembled together and went and camped at Shunem. Saul gathered together all of Israel and they camped at Gilboa. ^5 [a]When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid, and his heart trembled. ⁶ Saul inquired of the Lord, but the Lord did not answer him in dreams, or by the Urim, or through the prophets.

Saul and the Medium. ⁷ Saul said to his servants, “Find me a woman who is a medium so that I can go to her and inquire of her.” His servants answered, “There is a woman who is a medium in Endor.” ⁸ Saul disguised himself, putting on other clothes. He went with two men, and they came to the woman by night. He said, “Please consult a spirit for me, bring up the one whose name I give you.” ⁹ But the woman said to him, “You surely know what Saul has done, how he has expelled mediums and wizards out of the land. Why would you set a trap for my life, bringing on my death?” ¹⁰ Saul swore an oath to her by the Lord saying, “As the Lord lives, you will not be punished for this.” ¹¹ The woman asked, “Whom shall I bring up for you,” and he answered, “Bring up Samuel for me.”

¹² Samuel Appears. When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out in a loud voice, and the woman said to Saul, “Why have you deceived me, Saul?” ¹³ The king said to her, “Do not be afraid! What did you see?” She said to Saul, “I saw a spirit coming up from the earth.” ¹⁴ He said to her, “What does he look like?” She said, “An old man wearing a robe came up.” Saul realized that it was Samuel, and he bowed down and prostrated his face to the ground.

¹⁵ Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you bothered me by bringing me up?” Saul answered, “I am in great distress. The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has turned against me. He does not answer me anymore, either by prophets or by dreams. I have called upon you so that you can make known to me what I should do.” ¹⁶ Samuel said, “Why do you question me now that the Lord has turned against you and has become your enemy? ¹⁷ The Lord has done for himself exactly what he predicted through me. The Lord has ripped the kingdom out of your hand, and he has given it to your neighbor, to David. ¹⁸ You did not heed the voice of the Lord nor enact his fierce rage against Amalek. Therefore, the Lord has done this thing to you today. ¹⁹ The Lord will hand over both you and Israel into the hands of the Philistines. Tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The Lord will also deliver the army of Israel into the hands of the Philistines.”