The stage was now set for a tragic ending to the career of Saul. Violent warfare was raging between the Phi-lis'tines and the Is'ra-el-ites, and preparations were made for a decisive battle on the plains of Jez're-el at the foot of Mount Gil-bo'a. Saul appears to have had strange warnings of the disaster soon to come. His efforts to secure Divine aid through prayer and by an appeal to the priests of the land had met with an appalling silence from God. No help came to him through revealing dreams, the advice of a priest, or the words of a prophet. He should have known at once that the LORD had left him to his own evil ways, but it was a long time before this knowledge filled him with terror.
With the armies of Is'ra-el assembled in the foothills of Mount Gil-bo'a, and with the forces of the Phi-lis'tines massed on the plains of Jez're-el, Saul was overcome by fright. He remembered the timely messages of the prophet Sam'u-el during the earlier days of his reign, and now, even though the man of God was dead and buried, Saul felt that he must find some way of communicating with him. There were people in those days, just as there are now, who pretended to be able to speak with people long dead. Women who practiced this art were known as "witches," and God had told Is'ra-el through the Mo'sa-ic Laws that all such deceivers were dominated by evil spirits and should be slain. This law against witches had been strictly enforced by Saul, but one woman who lived in a secluded spot in the Little Her'mon mountain had escaped the executioners of the king. In his troubled spirit Saul decided to ask her aid in communicating with the spirit of Sam'u-el.
Saul disguised himself in the clothing worn by common people, took two servants with him, and sought a secret meeting with the witch of En'dor. The place where she was hiding was located beyond the camps of the Phi-lis'tines, so it was necessary for Saul to pass around his bitter foes in his secret mission. It was a dark and perilous night for the despairing king as he kept to the east of the plains of Jez're-el, crossed the valley to the adjoining Little Her'mon, and climbed the rigged path to En'dor.
The witch of En'dor did not recognize Saul at first, and thought that her visitor, whoever he might be, had come merely to entrap her. She reminded the unknown visitor that Saul had driven from his land all people who claimed to speak with the dead, and accused him of laying a snare for her. Saul then took oath that no harm should befall her of anything which she might do to help him, so the woman said, "Whom among the dead shall I summon for you?" Saul replied, "Bring me up Sam'u-el." This request convinced the woman that her visitor was none other than the king of Is'ra-el, and she cried out in anger, "Why have you deceived me? You are Saul." The king then admitted his identity, but told her once again that she need fear no harm if she granted his request.
The woman evidently knew of Sam'u-el's frequent warnings to Saul during his life, of Saul's rejection by the LORD, and of his constant fear of losing the throne to Da'vid. She was acquainted with all that had taken place in the life of the king, and knew that his mind was now filled with many fears. She remembered the appearance of Sam'u-el during his earthly life, and was able to duplicate it well enough to make Saul think that the prophet himself was called up from death to speak with him.
