Shmuel I Perek 28

• Achash’s army prepared to for battle against King Shaul.
• King Achash summoned Dovid to be his personal bodyguard.
• Dovid seemingly “pledged allegiance” to King Achash.
• Shmuel had died. Shaul had got rid of all the Necromancers and Yidoni practitioners throughout Eretz Yisroel.
• King Shaul asked Hashem how to handle the battle against King Achash. Hashem did not answer Shaul either through, prophecy, Urim V’tumim or a dream.
• Shaul had his servants locate a female Necromancer for Shaul to visit to summon the spirit of Shmuel HaNavi.

Note: Teshuvas Radvaz 1:485 explains: Shaul would never deviate from Halacha by summing the dead unless Shaul felt it was in the realm of Halacha. A King has the right to act in a “super legal” manner by making a singular one-time ruling to override the law in dire circumstances (A Horas Sha’a).

• The Necromancer was hesitant to practice because King Shaul had forbid her to practice.
• The “client” promised no harm would come about her.
• Shmuel was summoned from the dead. Shmuel inquired to Shaul as to why Shaul raised his spirit.
• Shaul related being uncertain about battle because Hashem had not answered him.
• Shmuel rebuked Shaul harshly. Shmuel told Shaul and his family will die tomorrow in battle.
• Shaul was fasting. Terrified by the news collapsed on the floor.
• The woman practitioner prepared a feast for King Shaul and his men.
• King Shaul left after the feast at night.