1 A nd it cometh to pass in those days, that the Philistines gather their camps for the war, to fight against Israel, and Achish saith unto David, `Thou dost certainly know that with me thou dost go out into the camp, thou and thy men.'

In those days the Philistines gathered their armies for war against Israel. Achish said to David, “Understand that you and your men are to go out with me to battle.”

2 A nd David saith unto Achish, `Therefore -- thou dost know that which thy servant dost do.' And Achish saith unto David, `Therefore -- keeper of my head I do appoint thee all the days.'

David said to Achish, “Very well, you will know what your servant can do.” And Achish said to David, “Very well, I will make you the soldier who stands by me and keeps me safe for life.”

3 A nd Samuel hath died, and all Israel mourn for him, and bury him in Ramah, even in his city, and Saul hath turned aside those having familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land.

Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had been filled with sorrow for him. They buried him in his own city of Ramah. And Saul had put out of the land those who spoke with spirits by using their secret ways.

4 A nd the Philistines are gathered, and come in, and encamp in Shunem, and Saul gathereth all Israel, and they encamp in Gilboa,

The Philistines gathered together and came and stayed at Shunem. Saul gathered all Israel together and they stayed at Gilboa.

5 a nd Saul seeth the camp of the Philistines, and feareth, and his heart trembleth greatly,

When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid. His heart shook with much fear.

6 a nd Saul asketh at Jehovah, and Jehovah hath not answered him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets.

Saul asked the Lord what he should do. But the Lord did not answer him, by dreams or by Urim or by those who speak for God.

7 A nd Saul saith to his servants, `Seek for me a woman possessing a familiar spirit, and I go unto her, and inquire of her;' and his servants say unto him, `Lo, a woman possessing a familiar spirit in En-dor.'

Then Saul said to his servants, “Find a woman for me who can speak with spirits, that I may go to her and ask her what I should do.” His servants said to him, “See, there is a woman at Endor who can speak with spirits.”

8 A nd Saul disguiseth himself and putteth on other garments, and goeth, he and two of the men with him, and they come in unto the woman by night, and he saith, `Divine, I pray thee, to me by the familiar spirit, and cause to come up to me him whom I say unto thee.'

So Saul dressed up to look like somebody else and went with two other men to the woman during the night. He said, “Use your secret ways for me, I beg you, and bring up for me whom I will name to you.”

9 A nd the woman saith unto him, `Lo, thou hast known that which Saul hath done, that he hath cut off those having familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land; and why art thou laying a snare for my soul -- to put me to death?'

But the woman said to him, “See, you know what Saul has done. He has put out of the land those who speak with spirits by using their secret ways. Why do you lay a trap for my life to cause my death?”

10 A nd Saul sweareth to her by Jehovah, saying, `Jehovah liveth, punishment doth not meet thee for this thing.'

But Saul promised her by the Lord, saying, “As the Lord lives, you will not be punished for this.”

11 A nd the woman saith, `Whom do I bring up to thee?' and he saith, `Samuel -- bring up to me.'

Then the woman said, “Whom should I bring up for you?” And he said, “Bring up Samuel for me.”

12 A nd the woman seeth Samuel, and crieth with a loud voice, and the woman speaketh unto Saul, saying, `Why hast thou deceived me -- and thou Saul?'

When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice. She said to Saul, “Why have you fooled me? For you are Saul!”

13 A nd the king saith to her, `Do not fear; for what hast thou seen?' and the woman saith unto Saul, `Gods I have seen coming up out of the earth.'

The king said to her, “Do not be afraid. What do you see?” The woman said to Saul, “I see a god coming up out of the earth.”

14 A nd he saith to her, `What his form?' and she saith, `An aged man is coming up, and he covered with an upper robe;' and Saul knoweth that he Samuel, and boweth -- face to thee earth -- and doth obeisance.

He said to her, “What does he look like?” And she said, “An old man is coming up. He is dressed in a long piece of clothing.” Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he put his face to the ground to show honor.

15 A nd Samuel saith unto Saul, `Why hast thou troubled me, to bring me up?' And Saul saith, `I have great distress, and the Philistines are fighting against me, God hath turned aside from me, and hath not answered me any more, either by the hand of the prophets, or by dreams; and I call for thee to let me know what I do.'

Then Samuel said to Saul, “Why have you troubled my rest by bringing me up?” Saul answered, “I am very troubled. The Philistines are making war against me. And God has left me and answers me no more, by those who speak for Him or by dreams. So I have called you to tell me what I should do.”

16 A nd Samuel saith, `And why dost thou ask me, and Jehovah hath turned aside from thee, and is thine enemy?

Samuel said, “Why then do you ask me, since the Lord has left you and has turned against you?

17 A nd Jehovah doth for Himself as He hath spoken by my hand, and Jehovah rendeth the kingdom out of thy hand, and giveth it to thy neighbour -- to David.

The Lord has done what He said He would do through me. The Lord has torn the rule of Israel out of your hand and given it to your neighbor, David.

18 B ecause thou hast not hearkened to the voice of Jehovah, nor didst the fierceness of His anger on Amalek -- therefore this thing hath Jehovah done to thee this day;

You did not obey the Lord and bring His burning anger upon Amalek. So the Lord has done this to you now.

19 y ea, Jehovah giveth also Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines, and tomorrow thou and thy sons with me; also the camp of Israel doth Jehovah give into the hand of the Philistines.'

What is more, the Lord will give Israel and you into the hands of the Philistines. So tomorrow you and your sons will be with me. The Lord will give the army of Israel to the Philistines.”

20 A nd Saul hasteth and falleth -- the fulness of his stature -- to the earth, and feareth greatly because of the words of Samuel; also power was not in him, for he had not eaten bread all the day, and all the night.

At once Saul fell to the ground with his whole body. He was very afraid because of Samuel’s words. And there was no strength in him, for he had eaten no food all day and all night.

21 A nd the woman cometh in unto Saul, and seeth that he hath been greatly troubled, and saith unto him, `Lo, thy maid-servant hath hearkened to thy voice, and I put my soul in my hand, and I obey thy words which thou hast spoken unto me;

The woman came to Saul and saw that he was filled with fear. She said to him, “See, your woman servant has obeyed you. I have put my life in danger and have listened to what you said to me.

22 a nd now, hearken, I pray thee, also thou, to the voice of thy maid-servant, and I set before thee a morsel of bread, and eat, and there is in thee power when thou goest in the way.'

So now I beg you, let me give you a piece of bread. Eat, so you may have strength when you go on your way.”

23 A nd he refuseth, and saith, `I do not eat;' and his servants urge on him, and also the woman, and he hearkeneth to their voice, and riseth from the earth, and sitteth on the bed.

But he said, “I will not eat.” But his servants together with the woman begged him, and he listened to them. He got up from the ground and sat on the bed.

24 A nd the woman hath a calf of the stall in the house, and she hasteth and slaughtereth it, and taketh flour, and kneadeth, and baketh it unleavened things,

The woman had a fat calf in the house and was quick to kill it. She took flour, made it into dough, and made bread without yeast.

25 a nd bringeth nigh before Saul, and before his servants, and they eat, and rise, and go on, during that night.

She brought it to Saul and his servants, and they ate. Then they got up and went away that night.