English Bible Presentation Sharing - 1-Samuel Book, chapter 28, verse 1 in Ncv Version

1 Samuel 28 : 1 (NCV)

Later, the Philistines gathered their armies to fight against Israel. Achish said to David, "You understand that you and your men must join my army."

1 Samuel 28 : 2 (NCV)

David answered, "You will see for yourself what I, your servant, can do!" Achish said, "Fine, I'll make you my permanent bodyguard."

1 Samuel 28 : 3 (NCV)

Now Samuel was dead, and all the Israelites had shown their sadness for him. They had buried Samuel in his hometown of Ramah. And Saul had forced out the mediums and fortune-tellers from the land.

1 Samuel 28 : 4 (NCV)

The Philistines came together and made camp at Shunem. Saul gathered all the Israelites and made camp at Gilboa.

1 Samuel 28 : 5 (NCV)

When he saw the Philistine army, he was afraid, and his heart pounded with fear.

1 Samuel 28 : 6 (NCV)

He prayed to the Lord, but the Lord did not answer him through dreams, Urim, or prophets.

1 Samuel 28 : 7 (NCV)

Then Saul said to his servants, "Find me a woman who is a medium so I may go and ask her what will happen." His servants answered, "There is a medium in Endor."

1 Samuel 28 : 8 (NCV)

Then Saul put on other clothes to disguise himself, and at night he and two of his men went to see the woman. Saul said to her, "Talk to a spirit for me. Bring up the person I name."

1 Samuel 28 : 9 (NCV)

But the woman said to him, "Surely you know what Saul has done. He has forced the mediums and fortune-tellers from the land. You are trying to trap me and get me killed."

1 Samuel 28 : 10 (NCV)

Saul made a promise to the woman in the name of the Lord. He said, "As surely as the Lord lives, you won't be punished for this."

1 Samuel 28 : 11 (NCV)

The woman asked, "Whom do you want me to bring up?" He answered, "Bring up Samuel."

1 Samuel 28 : 12 (NCV)

When the woman saw Samuel, she screamed. She said, "Why have you tricked me? You are Saul!"

1 Samuel 28 : 13 (NCV)

The king said to the woman, "Don't be afraid! What do you see?" The woman said, "I see a spirit coming up out of the ground."

1 Samuel 28 : 14 (NCV)

Saul asked, "What does he look like?" The woman answered, "An old man wearing a coat is coming up." Then Saul knew it was Samuel, and he bowed facedown on the ground.

1 Samuel 28 : 15 (NCV)

Samuel asked Saul, "Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?" Saul said, "I am greatly troubled. The Philistines are fighting against me, and God has left me. He won't answer me anymore, either by prophets or in dreams. That's why I called for you. Tell me what to do."

1 Samuel 28 : 16 (NCV)

Samuel said, "The Lord has left you and has become your enemy. So why do you call on me?

1 Samuel 28 : 17 (NCV)

He has done what he said he would do -- the things he said through me. He has torn the kingdom out of your hands and given it to one of your neighbors, David.

1 Samuel 28 : 18 (NCV)

You did not obey the Lord; you did not show the Amalekites how angry he was with them. That's why he has done this to you today.

1 Samuel 28 : 19 (NCV)

The Lord will hand over both Israel and you to the Philistines. Tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The Lord will hand over the army of Israel to the Philistines."

1 Samuel 28 : 20 (NCV)

Saul quickly fell flat on the ground and was afraid of what Samuel had said. He was also very weak because he had eaten nothing all that day and night.

1 Samuel 28 : 21 (NCV)

Then the woman came to Saul and saw that he was really frightened. She said, "Look, I, your servant, have obeyed you. I have risked my life and done what you told me to do.

1 Samuel 28 : 22 (NCV)

Now please listen to me. Let me give you some food so you may eat and have enough strength to go on your way."

1 Samuel 28 : 23 (NCV)

But Saul refused, saying, "I won't eat." His servants joined the woman in asking him to eat, and he listened to them. So he got up from the ground and sat on the bed.

1 Samuel 28 : 24 (NCV)

At the house the woman had a fat calf, which she quickly killed. She took some flour and mixed dough with her hands. Then she baked some bread without yeast.

1 Samuel 28 : 25 (NCV)

She put the food before them, and they ate. That same night they got up and left.