1. While David was living in Ziklag, the Philistines gathered their army together. They planned to fight against Israel. Achish said to David, "I want you to understand that you and your men must march out with me and my army."
2. David said, "I understand. You will see for yourself what I can do." Achish replied, "All right. I'll make you my own personal guard for life."
3. Samuel had died. The whole nation of Israel was filled with sorrow because he was dead. They had buried his body in his own town of Ramah. Saul had gotten rid of people who get messages from those who have died. He had also gotten rid of people who talk to the spirits of the dead. He had thrown all of them out of the land.
4. The Philistines gathered together and set up camp at Shunem. At the same time, Saul gathered all of the fighting men of Israel together. They set up camp at Gilboa.
5. When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid. Terror filled his heart.
6. He asked the Lord for advice. But the Lord didn't answer him through dreams or prophets. He didn't answer him when Saul had the priest use the Urim.
7. Saul spoke to his attendants. He said, "Find me a woman who gets messages from those who have died. Then I can go and ask her some questions." "There's a woman like that in Endor," they said.