I Samuel 28 · The Lantern

The Philistines Gather against Israel

And it happened in those days, that the Philistines gathered their armies together for warfare, to fight with Israel. And Achish said to David, Know you assuredly, that you shall go out with me to battle, you and your men.

And David said to Achish, Surely you shall know what your servant can do. And Achish said to David, Therefore will I make you keeper of my head for ever.

Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had mediums, and the spiritists, out of the land.

And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa.

And when Saul saw the army of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled.

And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.

Saul and the Medium of Endor

Then said Saul to his servants, Seek me a woman that is a medium, that I may go to her, and inquire of her. And his servants said to him, Look, there is a woman that is a medium at Endor.

And Saul disguised himself, and put on other apparel, and he went, and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, please, divine to me by a medium, and bring me him up, whom I shall name to you.

And the woman said to him, Look, you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off mediums, and the spiritists, out of the land: why then lay you a snare for my life, to cause me to die?

And Saul swore to her by the LORD, saying, As the LORD lives, there shall no punishment happen to you for this thing.

Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up to you? And he said, Bring me up Samuel.

The witch of Endor did not bring up Samuel, for that is impossible; nor did the one who came up speak the truth. But who this was, and by what power he came up, inquire.

WHEN SAMUEL WAS SUPPOSEDLY RAISED UP BY THE PYTHONESS, AND HE WAS SEEN BY HER AND SPOKE TO SAUL—THIS STORY IS REPORTED IN THE BOOK OF KINGS? — I consider it an unworthy deed if assent is given in accordance with the wording of the story. For how could it happen that a man holy by birth and righteous by the works of his life might be drawn by magical art?

And the woman said to Saul, etc. She calls one seen in the plural, as is very customary in Scripture, where often many are designated by the singular, and singular individuals by the plural number. Finally, when one calf was made, the people said: These are your gods, O Israel (Exodus 32).

And when the woman saw Samuel, she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spoke to Saul, saying, Why have you deceived me? for you are Saul.

And the king said to her, Be not afraid: for what did you see? And the woman said to Saul, I saw gods ascending out of the earth.

And he said to her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man comes up; and he is covered with a robe. And Saul perceived that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself.

And that the souls survive, I have shown to you from the fact that the soul of Samuel was called up by the witch, as Saul demanded. And it appears also, that all the souls of similar righteous men and prophets fell under the dominion of such powers, as is indeed to be inferred from the very facts in the case of that witch.

The question is raised, whether Samuel rose by the hand of the sorceress or not. And if, indeed, we were to allow that he did rise, we should be propounding what is false. For how could a demon call back the soul, I say not of a righteous man merely, but of any one whatever, when it had gone, and was tarrying one knew not where?

Why, then, did the rich man in hell crave for the drop of water? Why did holy Samuel appear after his death (as you have yourself noticed) clothed in his usual garments? Did the one wish to repair the ruins of the soul, as of the flesh, by the aliment of water? Did the other quit life with his clothes on him?

And Samuel said to Saul, Why have you disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God has departed from me, and answers me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called you, so that you may make known to me what I shall do.

Then said Samuel, Why then do you ask of me, seeing the LORD has departed from you, and has become your enemy?

And the LORD has done to him, as he spoke by me: for the LORD has rent the kingdom out of your hand, and given it to your neighbor, even to David:

Because you obeyed not the voice of the LORD, nor executed his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore has the LORD done this thing to you this day.

Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with you into the hand of the Philistines: and tomorrow shall you and your sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the army of Israel into the hand of the Philistines.

Then Saul fell immediately all along on the earth, and was greatly afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night.

And the woman came to Saul, and saw that he was deeply troubled, and said to him, Look, your maidservant has obeyed your voice, and I have put my life in my hand, and have listened to your words which you spoke to me.

Now therefore, please, listen you also to the voice of your maidservant, and let me set a morsel of bread before you; and eat, so that you may have strength, when you go on your way.

But he refused, and said, I will not eat. But his servants, together with the woman, compelled him; and he listened to their voice. So he arose from the earth, and sat upon the bed.

And the woman had a fat calf in the house; and she hurried, and killed it, and took flour, and kneaded it, and did bake unleavened its bread:

And she brought it before Saul, and before his servants; and they did eat. Then they rose up, and went away that night.

I Samuel28

The Philistines Gather against Israel

Saul and the Medium of Endor