Liber I Samuelis, 28

1. Factum est autem in diebus illis, congregaverunt Phili sthim agmina sua, ut praepararentur ad bellum contra Israel. Dixitque Achis ad David: “Sciens nunc scito quoniam mecum egredieris in castris tu et viri tui”.

1. In those days the Philistines gathered their forces for war, to fight against Israel. And A'chish said to David, "Understand that you and your men are to go out with me in the army."

2. Dixitque David ad Achis: “Ideo tu quoque scies, quae facturus est servus tuus”. Et ait Achis ad David: “Ideo custodem capitis mei ponam te cunctis diebus”.

2. David said to A'chish, "Very well, you shall know what your servant can do." And A'chish said to David, "Very well, I will make you my bodyguard for life."

3. Samuel autem mortuus erat; planxeratque eum omnis Israel, et sepelierant eum in Rama urbe sua. Et Saul abstulerat magos et hariolos de terra.

3. Now Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had put the mediums and the wizards out of the land.

4. Congregatique sunt Philisthim et venerunt et castrametati sunt in Sunam. Congregavit autem et Saul universum Israel, et castrametati sunt in Gelboe.

4. The Philistines assembled, and came and encamped at Shunem; and Saul gathered all Israel, and they encamped at Gilbo'a.

5. Et vidit Saul castra Philisthim et timuit, et expavit cor eius nimis.

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

6. Consuluitque Dominum, et non respondit ei neque per somnia neque per Urim neque per prophetas.

6. And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD did not answer him, either by dreams, or by Urim, or by prophets.

7. Dixitque Saul servis suis: “Quaerite mihi mulierem habentem pythonem, et vadam ad eam et sciscitabor per illam”. Et dixerunt servi eius ad eum: “Est mulier habens pythonem in Endor”.

7. Then Saul said to his servants, "Seek out for me a woman who is a medium, that I may go to her and inquire of her." And his servants said to him, "Behold, there is a medium at Endor."

8. Mutavit ergo habitum suum vestitusque est aliis vestimentis et abiit ipse et duo viri cum eo; veneruntque ad mulierem nocte, et ait: “Divina mihi in pythone et suscita mihi, quem dixero tibi”.

8. So Saul disguised himself and put on other garments, and went, he and two men with him; and they came to the woman by night. And he said, "Divine for me by a spirit, and bring up for me whomever I shall name to you."

9. Et ait mulier ad eum: “Ecce tu nosti, quanta fecerit Saul et quomodo eraserit magos et hariolos de terra; quare ergo insidiaris animae meae, ut occidar?”.

9. The woman said to him, "Surely you know what Saul has done, how he has cut off the mediums and the wizards from the land. Why then are you laying a snare for my life to bring about my death?"

10. Et iuravit ei Saul in Domino dicens: “Vivit Dominus quia non veniet tibi quidquam mali propter hanc rem”.

10. But Saul swore to her by the LORD, "As the LORD lives, no punishment shall come upon you for this thing."

11. Dixitque ei mulier: “Quem suscitabo tibi?”. Qui ait: “Samuelem suscita mihi”.

11. Then the woman said, "Whom shall I bring up for you?" He said, "Bring up Samuel for me."

12. Cum autem vidisset mulier Samuelem, exclamavit voce magna et dixit ad Saul: “Quare imposuisti mihi? Tu es enim Saul!”.

12. When the woman saw Samuel, she cried out with a loud voice; and the woman said to Saul, "Why have you deceived me? You are Saul."

13. Dixitque ei rex: “Noli timere. Quid vidisti?”. Et ait mulier ad Saul: “Hominem divinum vidi ascendentem de terra”.

13. The king said to her, "Have no fear; what do you see?" And the woman said to Saul, "I see a god coming up out of the earth."

14. Dixitque ei: “Qualis est forma eius?”. Quae ait: “Vir senex ascendit et ipse amictus est pallio”. Intellexit Saul quod Samuel esset et inclinavit se super faciem suam in terra et adoravit.

14. He said to her, "What is his appearance?" And she said, "An old man is coming up; and he is wrapped in a robe." And Saul knew that it was Samuel, and he bowed with his face to the ground, and did obeisance.

15. Dixit autem Samuel ad Saul: “Quare inquietasti me, ut suscitarer?”. Et ait Saul: “Coartor nimis. Siquidem Philisthim pugnant adversum me, et Deus recessit a me et exaudire me noluit neque in manu prophetarum neque per somnia; vocavi ergo te, ut ostenderes mihi quid faciam”.

15. Then Samuel said to Saul, "Why have you disturbed me by bringing me up?" Saul answered, "I am in great distress; for the Philistines are warring against me, and God has turned away from me and answers me no more, either by prophets or by dreams; therefore I have summoned you to tell me what I shall do."

16. Et ait Samuel: “Quid interrogas me, cum Dominus recesserit a te et factus est adversarius tuus?

16. And Samuel said, "Why then do you ask me, since the LORD has turned from you and become your enemy?

17. Fecit enim Dominus, sicut locutus est in manu mea, et scidit regnum de manu tua et dedit illud proximo tuo David,

17. The LORD has done to you as he spoke by me; for the LORD has torn the kingdom out of your hand, and given it to your neighbor, David.

18. quia non oboedisti voci Domini neque fecisti iram furoris eius in Amalec. Idcirco quod pateris, fecit tibi Dominus hodie.

18. Because you did not obey the voice of the LORD, and did not carry out his fierce wrath against Am'alek, therefore the LORD has done this thing to you this day.

19. Et dabit Dominus etiam Israel tecum in manu Philisthim; cras autem tu et filii tui mecum eritis, sed et castra Israel tradet Dominus in manu Philisthim”.

19. Moreover the LORD will give Israel also with you into the hand of the Philistines; and tomorrow you and your sons shall be with me; the LORD will give the army of Israel also into the hand of the Philistines."

20. Statimque Saul cecidit porrectus in terram; extimuerat enim verba Samuel, et robur non erat in eo, quia non comederat panem tota die illa et tota nocte illa.

20. Then Saul fell at once full length upon the ground, filled with fear because of the words of Samuel; and there was no strength in him, for he had eaten nothing all day and all night.

21. Accessit itaque mulier ad Saul et vidit quod conturbatus esset valde; dixitque ad eum: “Ecce audivit ancilla tua vocem tuam, et posui animam meam in manu mea et oboedivi sermonibus tuis, quos locutus es ad me.

21. And the woman came to Saul, and when she saw that he was terrified, she said to him, "Behold, your handmaid has hearkened to you; I have taken my life in my hand, and have hearkened to what you have said to me.

22. Nunc igitur audi et tu vocem ancillae tuae, ut ponam coram te buccellam panis, et comedens convalescas, ut possis iter facere”.

22. Now therefore, you also hearken to your handmaid; let me set a morsel of bread before you; and eat, that you may have strength when you go on your way."

23. Qui renuit et ait: “Non comedam”. Coegerunt autem eum servi sui et mulier; et tandem, audita voce eorum, surrexit de terra et sedit super lectum.

23. He refused, and said, "I will not eat." But his servants, together with the woman, urged him; and he hearkened to their words. So he arose from the earth, and sat upon the bed.

24. Mulier autem illa habebat vitulum pascualem in domo; et festinavit et occidit eum, tollensque farinam miscuit eam et coxit azyma.

24. Now the woman had a fatted calf in the house, and she quickly killed it, and she took flour, and kneaded it and baked unleavened bread of it,

25. Et posuit ante Saul et ante servos eius. Qui cum comedissent, surrexerunt et abierunt hac eadem nocte.

25. and she put it before Saul and his servants; and they ate. Then they rose and went away that night.