1 Samuel 28:3

¹ Now in those days the Philistines gathered their forces for warfare against Israel. So Achish said to David, “You must understand that you and your men are to go out to battle with me.”

² David replied, “Then you will come to know what your servant can do.” “Very well,” said Achish. “I will make you my bodyguard for life.”

Now by this time Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had removed the mediums and spiritists from the land.

⁴ The Philistines came together and camped at Shunem, while Saul gathered all Israel and camped at Gilboa.

⁵ When Saul saw the Philistine army, he was afraid and trembled violently.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB: Now by this time Samuel had died, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, his own city. And Saul had removed the mediums and spiritists from the land.
KJV: Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land.
WEB: Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had mourned for him and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. Saul had sent away those who had familiar spirits and the wizards out of the land.
ASV: Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away those that had familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land.
DARBY: (Now Samuel was dead, and all Israel had lamented him, and they had buried him in Ramah, even in his own city. And Saul had put away the necromancers and the soothsayers out of the land.)
BLB: And Samuel had died, and all Israel had lamented for him and buried him in Ramah, even in his city. And Saul had put the mediums and the spiritists out of the land.

ÅB: Samuel var dengang død, og hele Israel hadde sørget over ham og begravet ham i Rama, hans egen by; og Saul hadde drevet dødningemanerne og sannsigerne ut av landet.
OTB: Nå var Samuel død, og hele Israel hadde sørget over ham og begravet ham i Rama, hans egen by. Og Saul hadde fjernet åndemanere og spåmenn fra landet.
B1930: Samuel var dengang død, og hele Israel hadde sørget over ham og begravet ham i Rama, hans egen by; og Saul hadde drevet dødningemanerne og sannsigerne ut av landet.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

Leviticus 19:31
You must not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out, or you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.
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Leviticus 20:27
A man or a woman who is a medium or spiritist must surely be put to death. They shall be stoned; their blood is upon them.’”
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1 Samuel 25:1
When Samuel died, all Israel gathered to mourn for him; and they buried him at his home in Ramah. Then David set out and went down to the Wilderness of Paran.
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Exodus 22:18
You must not allow a sorceress to live.
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Deuteronomy 18:10–11
Let no one be found among you who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, practices divination or conjury, interprets omens, practices sorcery,
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1 Samuel 7:17
Then he would return to Ramah because his home was there, and there he judged Israel and built an altar to the LORD.
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Leviticus 20:6
Whoever turns to mediums or spiritists to prostitute himself with them, I will also set My face against that person and cut him off from his people.
Read in context
1 Samuel 15:23
For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.”
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