woman of Endor,
known as a witch and a soothsayer. He thought she might help him.
"Call up
Samuel for me!" cried the king to the witch when he saw her.
The witch called
up Samuel, and Saul heard the prophet's voice speaking thus:
"Why have you disturbed me? Jehovah has refused to answer
your prayers, because of your wickedness. The authority shall be
taken from you and given to David. Tomorrow you and your sons
shall be slain, and your army shall be overpowered by the
Philistines."
Saul trembled
with fear, and his strength failed him, as he returned to his
house.
The next day,
even as the spirit of Samuel had foretold, the great army of the
Philistines attacked the Israelites, and the battle went against
Saul. Soon brave Jonathan and his two brothers fell, and an enemy
arrow pierced Saul.
"Draw your
sword and kill me," Saul begged of his armor-bearer. "Do
not let me fall into the hands of the Philistines to be
tortured." When his servant refused, Saul took his own sword
and fell upon it.
So ended the
house of Saul, even as the witch of Endor had prophesied.
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