June 26, 2025 • 21 mins
# 180 - The Witch of Endor - In this episode of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein, King Saul—abandoned by prophecy, priests, and dreams—turns to a forbidden medium in a desperate attempt to summon the dead prophet Samuel. As silence from Heaven becomes unbearable, Saul crosses a spiritual boundary that cannot be undone, reminding us that when we no longer wait for God’s voice, we risk hearing something else instead.
Episode 180 of The Chosen People with Yael Eckstein is inspired by the Book of Joshua.
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For more information about Yael Eckstein and IFCJ visit https://www.ifcj.org/
Today's opening prayer is inspired by 1 Samuel 28:7, Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.
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Show Notes:
(0_:__) Intro with Yael Eckstein
(0_:__) The Witch of Endor
(__:__) Reflection with Yael Eckstein
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Previously on the chosen people.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
Samuel, Please, I have I have sinned.
Speaker 3 (00:10):
I feared the people, I listened. I listened to them
instead of God.
Speaker 4 (00:15):
But it was not my will.
Speaker 3 (00:17):
Please, oh, pardon my pardon my sin.
Speaker 4 (00:20):
Return with me.
Speaker 3 (00:22):
Let me worship before the Lord.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
Saul's hands trembled. He lunged forward, grabbing Samuel's robe, the
fabric tor as.
Speaker 4 (00:33):
You have torn my robe.
Speaker 1 (00:35):
So the Lord has torn.
Speaker 4 (00:37):
The kingdom from you. He will give it to another.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
The Lord has already chosen him.
Speaker 4 (00:44):
Here's a man who seeks after.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
The heart of God more than the heart of the people.
A wretched cry shattered the silence of the palace halls,
a gutter wail of frustration and fury that sent the
servants cowering behind doors and tapestries. There was something inside him,
(01:09):
something dark, something clawing. He had known anger before, but
this this was different. This was like a living thing,
a living thing that slithered through his mind, whispering venom
into his ears, stoking the fires of his madness.
Speaker 5 (01:31):
Your no king, Samuel said so himself.
Speaker 4 (01:40):
The King never get into him.
Speaker 2 (01:44):
Your time is almost up.
Speaker 4 (01:50):
You're momering will think your legs. He will burn nobody
well remember.
Speaker 6 (02:08):
Shello, my friends, from here in the holy Land of Israel.
I'm ya l Extein with the International Fellowship of Christians
and Jews, and welcome to the Chosen People. Each day
we'll hear a dramatic story inspired by the Bible, stories
filled with timeless lessons of faith, love, and the meaning
of life. Through Israel's story, we will find this truth
(02:30):
that we are all chosen for something great. So take
a moment today to follow the podcast. If you're feeling
extra grateful for these stories, we would love it if
you left us a review. I read every single one
of them, and if you're interested in hearing more about
the prophetic, life saving work of the Fellowship, you can
(02:51):
visit IFCJ dot org. Let's begin.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
The heavens had forsaken. Saul knelt in the dirt, his
hands clawing of the empty air, his voice hoarse from screaming.
The stars watched, cold and unfeeling. There was no answer,
no whisper, no sign, only silence. The camphires of his
(03:21):
army flickered behind him, thousands of men stirring in uneasy sleep,
waiting for his command. The Philistines had gathered beyond the valley,
more numerous than he had ever faced. Tomorrow he would
march against them. Tomorrow he would need the Lord, but
(03:41):
the Lord was gone, silent, indifferent to Sauls please. Saul
struck his chest with his fist. He had sought the priests,
but the Urim and Thummim had given no answer. He
had sought the prophets, but they had turned their faces
from him. He had cast the lots, prayed, fasted nothing.
(04:07):
Yahweh had abandoned him.
Speaker 3 (04:10):
If it weren't.
Speaker 4 (04:11):
For the curse of Samuel, you would still have a
favor of God. It's his fault. He's laughing in his grave,
knowing that your kingdom.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
Is feeling because of him.
Speaker 1 (04:36):
Saul's hands shook as he wiped the sweat from his brow.
Cold wind slashed against his skin, but it was nothing
compared to the storm raging.
Speaker 4 (04:46):
In his chest.
Speaker 1 (04:48):
Fear coiled in his belly, an old and unwelcome serpent.
His warriors would look to him for courage, but there
was none left in him. He was hollow, a man
in name only. The thought sickened him.
Speaker 2 (05:05):
Oh, if only I could speak to Samuel, maybe this
curse could be after, Maybe I could find favor again,
find wisdom.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
Saul turned sharply and called into the night. Daddy, her
shadow moved beyond the firelight, stepping forward with cautious steps. Tavy,
his faithful servant, wrapped a thick fur around his master's shoulders.
Speaker 3 (05:36):
My King, I need you to seek out a woman
for me.
Speaker 5 (05:41):
Ah, a woman at this hour.
Speaker 3 (05:43):
My Lord, not that kind of woman, Taddy, A woman.
Speaker 4 (05:47):
Of the old, always a whisper of spirits.
Speaker 1 (05:51):
Tav stiffened even in the dim firelight, Saul could see
the horror on his face.
Speaker 5 (05:57):
My King, you and Samuel cast out such creatures long ago.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
To seek out such a wish would be going against.
Speaker 4 (06:06):
Your own decree.
Speaker 3 (06:08):
If the Lord had not abandoned me, and perhaps I
wouldn't need to seek such creatures of sorcery. I sacrifice
at the altar, Yet no favor is given. I shout
to the stars, but no one speaks. I pray, and
I pray for the torment within me to cease.
Speaker 1 (06:26):
What God has that answered, Saul took his spear and
swung it at a pot beside him. It shattered into
thousands of pieces, flying upward to Saul's cheek. He recoiled
and grabbed his face. The bottom of his eyes was
stained crimson.
Speaker 4 (06:44):
What I desire?
Speaker 3 (06:47):
I am still the King, Bring me what I desire.
Speaker 1 (06:53):
Tave hesitated, but he did not argue. He turned and
disappeared into the dark. Saul stood motionless, listening to the
wind tear through the trees. If the Lord would not
answer him, then perhaps something else would. The city of
(07:16):
Endor was a corpse at midnight, its streets empty but
for wandering drunks and the flickering glow of brothels. The
air reeked of sweat, burnt fat, and rotting fruit. Saul
moved through the shadows, his cloak drawn tight around him.
Tarvey followed close behind, hooded and wary. They did not
(07:39):
belong here. The city felt wrong, too, still, as if
the very stones were holding their breath. At last they
came to the alley. It was little more than a
jagged gap between two crumbling buildings, filled with refuse and
the sickly stench of decay. At the far end, half
(08:02):
hidden beneath torn drapery, stood a door of blackened wood.
Tarvey stepped forward first and gave two knocks. A pause,
then the door creaked open, revealing a room thick with
smoke and shadow. The air carried the scent of burnt incense,
(08:22):
clawing and bitter shapes hung from the rafters, dried herbs,
bones strung together with twine, and the shriveled bodies of
dead ravens. And in the center of it all, lounging
upon a mound of pillows sewn from the skins of bobcats,
was the Witch. She was younger than Saul had expected,
(08:46):
though there was nothing soft or innocent about her. Dark
markings twisted up her arms and neck, coiling like serpents
beneath the loose folds of her robe. Her hair was
long and wild, falling entangled knots over her pale shoulders.
But it was her eyes that held Saul still, black
(09:08):
as ink, depthless and empty yet seductive. Saul didn't know
whether to fear her or long for her. He felt
repulsed and drawn at the same time. She saw him
before he spoke.
Speaker 5 (09:23):
Who comes to me in the hour of the Wolf?
Speaker 1 (09:27):
She stretched like a cat, her limbs slow and deliberate
as she crawled over the pillows and towards Saul. Her
gown slipped off at the edges of her shoulders, revealing
everything underneath. As she leaned forward, Saul tensed.
Speaker 5 (09:45):
You're a man with shadowed hands, a man with blood
on his soul.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
Saul kept his hood over him, hiding the fear and
intoxication in his eyes.
Speaker 4 (09:58):
I beautiful one.
Speaker 1 (10:01):
The witch tilted her head, watching him with eerie amusement.
She slid off her pillows and approached him, moving like smoke,
her bare feet silent on the stone floor.
Speaker 5 (10:13):
And what makes you think I can help you? The
King's eyes are everywhere. Such divination has been outlawed by
Soul the righteous.
Speaker 3 (10:26):
No, no, no punishment will come upon you.
Speaker 4 (10:28):
I must swear it by the Lord.
Speaker 5 (10:34):
You swear by the Lord even as you crawl through
the dark, sigawitch.
Speaker 1 (10:40):
The witch drew closer to Saul, running her fingers up
his stomach, passed his chest, then to his head. She
pressed her thumb against the side of his TEMPLEMM.
Speaker 5 (10:54):
You are a man split in two.
Speaker 1 (10:58):
She drew her lips in close to Saul's air, hissing
as she spoke.
Speaker 5 (11:04):
I can hear the other one in there. He's screaming
at you day and night. He gets away at your results.
It's only a matter of time before he is the
only one. Saul flinched, No, don't worry, you are both
(11:27):
welcome here tonight.
Speaker 1 (11:29):
The witch swayed backward toward the hearth. Her hips were
like a pendulum, back and forth, as her hands trailed
down her body. She reached behind her and took a
small flask, Its glass smeared with black residue. She pulled
the stopper with her teeth and tipped it over the fire.
(11:50):
The flame sputtered and flared. The smoke rose with a
foul smell, rancid and cloy, thick as tar m Do
you see? Saul's throat was dry.
Speaker 4 (12:03):
Samuel, bring me the see her the prophet of Israel.
Speaker 1 (12:12):
The witch drew a deep breath and blew into the smoke.
For a moment, she said nothing. Then without warning, she
stepped back, her head lolling forward like a puppet whose
strings had been cut. Her whisper slid from her lips,
a sound like wind through dead trees. Her shoulders trembled,
(12:33):
her arms shuddering violently at her sides. The whispers grew louder, faster,
words in a language Saul did not know, guttural and wrong.
Then she screamed, it was an awful pursing sound, sharp
enough to make Tave stumble back and tip over some jars.
(12:55):
The woman's body jerked and twisted, her fingers clawing at
the air. Her head snapped up. Her eyes were wide, bloodshot,
rolling in their sockets. She bore her fangs at Saul,
hissing with rage.
Speaker 5 (13:13):
You to see me, you.
Speaker 1 (13:21):
She lurched forward, her hands reaching for his throat. Saul
grabbed her hands to keep her at bay.
Speaker 3 (13:28):
Like I promised, No judgment will come to you.
Speaker 4 (13:32):
Now tell me what you see.
Speaker 1 (13:34):
The witch recoiled and looked around the room. Her breath
came in ragged gasps.
Speaker 5 (13:45):
Someone is here, someone powerful spirit, a man rising from
the earth.
Speaker 2 (13:55):
He's old, bloked.
Speaker 3 (13:58):
What comes, Samo, Samuel.
Speaker 1 (14:04):
The fire flared once more, the shadows twisted. The witch
keeled over in pain, her neck vibrating as her shrieks continued.
Her eyes darted up and she pointed at Sore. Something
was different in her voice, the presence of another. Her
(14:26):
great wind blew in from the single window in the
witch's hovel, extinguishing the fire, and every candle that lit
the room. All went dark. Everything was black, silent, save
for the ragged breaths of the witch. Her low groans
fed the sense of dread in Soul's stomach. Tarvi desperately
(14:51):
reached for a flint to reignite the hearth. When he did,
they saw the witch standing beside the flame, with her
shoulders backward and chin up. Her lips parted, and when
she spoke, it was not her voice that left them.
Speaker 4 (15:08):
Why have you inter stared me?
Speaker 1 (15:11):
Saul recoiled, his pulse, hammering in his skulls.
Speaker 3 (15:16):
Sam Sam Samuel. I am in greatest stress that the
Philistines gathered against me, in numbers beyond beyond counting. My
army is afraid. My heart trembles, trembles within me.
Speaker 1 (15:33):
Saul bowed before the woman and whatever spirit possessed her.
Speaker 3 (15:38):
There is no prophet, no priest, no dream that will
answer me. And so I have called upon you so
that you might tell me what to do.
Speaker 1 (15:49):
Silence you will do that, leave me to.
Speaker 4 (15:58):
My own thought.
Speaker 3 (16:00):
I need you words, I need your guidance. I have
sought the Lord, but he's been silent.
Speaker 1 (16:14):
Then the spirit woke, and with each word the room
grew colder.
Speaker 4 (16:20):
The Lord spends is his answer, soul.
Speaker 1 (16:24):
Soul's hands trembled why.
Speaker 4 (16:27):
Do you upon me? Everything I have prophesied to you
has come and will controverse? Who the one let your gods? David?
Speaker 1 (16:48):
Soul's face drained of all color?
Speaker 4 (16:52):
What right?
Speaker 2 (16:53):
So the Lord is inevitable?
Speaker 4 (16:58):
No, no, no, I have not. I'm come to speak
of David.
Speaker 3 (17:02):
I have come to see quisdom on how to defeat
my enemies.
Speaker 2 (17:06):
I am as will as like a hoss the.
Speaker 4 (17:12):
River, because she into her hands of feast.
Speaker 1 (17:26):
Saul's breath came fast and shallow. It was the woman's
face who spoke, But Saul could hear the anguish in
Samuel's voice.
Speaker 5 (17:36):
Tomorrow and of songs showing me.
Speaker 1 (17:42):
The fire gutted and spun with the wind. Then, just
as quickly as they had been snuffed by the wind,
all the light from the candles returned. The chamber was silent.
The witch blinked, her body twitched once, then twice. Her deep,
shuddering breath rattled from her lips, and she sat up
(18:04):
with a gasp herself once more. Saul still lay upon
the ground, motionless.
Speaker 5 (18:12):
These words exact a heavy toll. You should eat something warm,
find your strength to leave here and walk towards your fate.
Speaker 1 (18:24):
For a long moment, Saul did not respond. Then finally
his voice rasped from the shadows.
Speaker 4 (18:32):
No, I walried, what's the point?
Speaker 1 (18:42):
Slowly he forced himself upright. His limbs felt like lead,
his body empty, as if his soul had already begun
to leave it. He turned to Tavi, who had been
silent in the corner, watching with wide, fearful eyes.
Speaker 4 (19:00):
We are leaving.
Speaker 1 (19:02):
The witch stepped back, though there was no triumph in
her expression.
Speaker 5 (19:07):
If you are to fight tomorrow, then you should eat.
You will need your strength.
Speaker 1 (19:15):
Saul did not look at her. Tave hesitated, then placed
a hand on his king's arm. My lord, please, Saul
exhaled slowly. He did not want food, he did not
want warmth. He wanted nothing at all. Yet still he
sat still, he ate, and as he stared into the
(19:40):
dying fire, Samuel's words burned within him.
Speaker 5 (19:45):
Tomorrow, on your songs.
Speaker 1 (19:51):
There was no escaping it. Tomorrow Saul would march, and
tomorrow Saul would die.
Speaker 6 (20:04):
If your faith has been kindled by this podcast and
it has affected your life, we'd love it if you
left her review. We read them, and me personally, I
cherish them. As you venture forth boldly and faithfully, I
leave you with the biblical blessing from numbers six Iva
Hashem vishmerechra Yeah Heir hashempanave ele y sa hachempanavelera.
Speaker 1 (20:33):
Shaloon.
Speaker 6 (20:34):
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the
Lord make his face shine upon you. May he be
gracious to you. Made the Lord turn his face towards
you and give you peace.
Speaker 5 (20:45):
Amen.
Speaker 1 (20:47):
You can listen to the Chosen People with Isle Eckstein
add free by downloading and subscribing to the Pray dot
Com app today. This prey dot com production is only
made possible by Aunt Detikos team of creative talents. Steve Gattina,
Max Bard, Zach Shellabarger and Ben Gammon are the executive
producers of The Chosen People with Yiele Eckstein, edited by
(21:10):
Alberto Avilla, narrated by Paul Coltofianu. Characters are voiced by
Jonathan Gotten, Aaron Salvado, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwold,
Sylvia Zaradoc, Thomas Copeland, Junior, Rosanna Pilcher, and the opening
prayer is voiced by John Moore. Music by Andrew Morgan Smith,
(21:31):
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You can hear more Prey dot com productions on the
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(21:54):
with Yile Eckstein, please rate and leave a review.
Previously on the chosen people.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
Samuel, Please, I have I have sinned.
Speaker 3 (00:10):
I feared the people, I listened. I listened to them
instead of God.
Speaker 4 (00:15):
But it was not my will.
Speaker 3 (00:17):
Please, oh, pardon my pardon my sin.
Speaker 4 (00:20):
Return with me.
Speaker 3 (00:22):
Let me worship before the Lord.
Speaker 1 (00:25):
Saul's hands trembled. He lunged forward, grabbing Samuel's robe, the
fabric tor as.
Speaker 4 (00:33):
You have torn my robe.
Speaker 1 (00:35):
So the Lord has torn.
Speaker 4 (00:37):
The kingdom from you. He will give it to another.
Speaker 1 (00:41):
The Lord has already chosen him.
Speaker 4 (00:44):
Here's a man who seeks after.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
The heart of God more than the heart of the people.
A wretched cry shattered the silence of the palace halls,
a gutter wail of frustration and fury that sent the
servants cowering behind doors and tapestries. There was something inside him,
(01:09):
something dark, something clawing. He had known anger before, but
this this was different. This was like a living thing,
a living thing that slithered through his mind, whispering venom
into his ears, stoking the fires of his madness.
Speaker 5 (01:31):
Your no king, Samuel said so himself.
Speaker 4 (01:40):
The King never get into him.
Speaker 2 (01:44):
Your time is almost up.
Speaker 4 (01:50):
You're momering will think your legs. He will burn nobody
well remember.
Speaker 6 (02:08):
Shello, my friends, from here in the holy Land of Israel.
I'm ya l Extein with the International Fellowship of Christians
and Jews, and welcome to the Chosen People. Each day
we'll hear a dramatic story inspired by the Bible, stories
filled with timeless lessons of faith, love, and the meaning
of life. Through Israel's story, we will find this truth
(02:30):
that we are all chosen for something great. So take
a moment today to follow the podcast. If you're feeling
extra grateful for these stories, we would love it if
you left us a review. I read every single one
of them, and if you're interested in hearing more about
the prophetic, life saving work of the Fellowship, you can
(02:51):
visit IFCJ dot org. Let's begin.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
The heavens had forsaken. Saul knelt in the dirt, his
hands clawing of the empty air, his voice hoarse from screaming.
The stars watched, cold and unfeeling. There was no answer,
no whisper, no sign, only silence. The camphires of his
(03:21):
army flickered behind him, thousands of men stirring in uneasy sleep,
waiting for his command. The Philistines had gathered beyond the valley,
more numerous than he had ever faced. Tomorrow he would
march against them. Tomorrow he would need the Lord, but
(03:41):
the Lord was gone, silent, indifferent to Sauls please. Saul
struck his chest with his fist. He had sought the priests,
but the Urim and Thummim had given no answer. He
had sought the prophets, but they had turned their faces
from him. He had cast the lots, prayed, fasted nothing.
(04:07):
Yahweh had abandoned him.
Speaker 3 (04:10):
If it weren't.
Speaker 4 (04:11):
For the curse of Samuel, you would still have a
favor of God. It's his fault. He's laughing in his grave,
knowing that your kingdom.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
Is feeling because of him.
Speaker 1 (04:36):
Saul's hands shook as he wiped the sweat from his brow.
Cold wind slashed against his skin, but it was nothing
compared to the storm raging.
Speaker 4 (04:46):
In his chest.
Speaker 1 (04:48):
Fear coiled in his belly, an old and unwelcome serpent.
His warriors would look to him for courage, but there
was none left in him. He was hollow, a man
in name only. The thought sickened him.
Speaker 2 (05:05):
Oh, if only I could speak to Samuel, maybe this
curse could be after, Maybe I could find favor again,
find wisdom.
Speaker 1 (05:20):
Saul turned sharply and called into the night. Daddy, her
shadow moved beyond the firelight, stepping forward with cautious steps. Tavy,
his faithful servant, wrapped a thick fur around his master's shoulders.
Speaker 3 (05:36):
My King, I need you to seek out a woman
for me.
Speaker 5 (05:41):
Ah, a woman at this hour.
Speaker 3 (05:43):
My Lord, not that kind of woman, Taddy, A woman.
Speaker 4 (05:47):
Of the old, always a whisper of spirits.
Speaker 1 (05:51):
Tav stiffened even in the dim firelight, Saul could see
the horror on his face.
Speaker 5 (05:57):
My King, you and Samuel cast out such creatures long ago.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
To seek out such a wish would be going against.
Speaker 4 (06:06):
Your own decree.
Speaker 3 (06:08):
If the Lord had not abandoned me, and perhaps I
wouldn't need to seek such creatures of sorcery. I sacrifice
at the altar, Yet no favor is given. I shout
to the stars, but no one speaks. I pray, and
I pray for the torment within me to cease.
Speaker 1 (06:26):
What God has that answered, Saul took his spear and
swung it at a pot beside him. It shattered into
thousands of pieces, flying upward to Saul's cheek. He recoiled
and grabbed his face. The bottom of his eyes was
stained crimson.
Speaker 4 (06:44):
What I desire?
Speaker 3 (06:47):
I am still the King, Bring me what I desire.
Speaker 1 (06:53):
Tave hesitated, but he did not argue. He turned and
disappeared into the dark. Saul stood motionless, listening to the
wind tear through the trees. If the Lord would not
answer him, then perhaps something else would. The city of
(07:16):
Endor was a corpse at midnight, its streets empty but
for wandering drunks and the flickering glow of brothels. The
air reeked of sweat, burnt fat, and rotting fruit. Saul
moved through the shadows, his cloak drawn tight around him.
Tarvey followed close behind, hooded and wary. They did not
(07:39):
belong here. The city felt wrong, too, still, as if
the very stones were holding their breath. At last they
came to the alley. It was little more than a
jagged gap between two crumbling buildings, filled with refuse and
the sickly stench of decay. At the far end, half
(08:02):
hidden beneath torn drapery, stood a door of blackened wood.
Tarvey stepped forward first and gave two knocks. A pause,
then the door creaked open, revealing a room thick with
smoke and shadow. The air carried the scent of burnt incense,
(08:22):
clawing and bitter shapes hung from the rafters, dried herbs,
bones strung together with twine, and the shriveled bodies of
dead ravens. And in the center of it all, lounging
upon a mound of pillows sewn from the skins of bobcats,
was the Witch. She was younger than Saul had expected,
(08:46):
though there was nothing soft or innocent about her. Dark
markings twisted up her arms and neck, coiling like serpents
beneath the loose folds of her robe. Her hair was
long and wild, falling entangled knots over her pale shoulders.
But it was her eyes that held Saul still, black
(09:08):
as ink, depthless and empty yet seductive. Saul didn't know
whether to fear her or long for her. He felt
repulsed and drawn at the same time. She saw him
before he spoke.
Speaker 5 (09:23):
Who comes to me in the hour of the Wolf?
Speaker 1 (09:27):
She stretched like a cat, her limbs slow and deliberate
as she crawled over the pillows and towards Saul. Her
gown slipped off at the edges of her shoulders, revealing
everything underneath. As she leaned forward, Saul tensed.
Speaker 5 (09:45):
You're a man with shadowed hands, a man with blood
on his soul.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
Saul kept his hood over him, hiding the fear and
intoxication in his eyes.
Speaker 4 (09:58):
I beautiful one.
Speaker 1 (10:01):
The witch tilted her head, watching him with eerie amusement.
She slid off her pillows and approached him, moving like smoke,
her bare feet silent on the stone floor.
Speaker 5 (10:13):
And what makes you think I can help you? The
King's eyes are everywhere. Such divination has been outlawed by
Soul the righteous.
Speaker 3 (10:26):
No, no, no punishment will come upon you.
Speaker 4 (10:28):
I must swear it by the Lord.
Speaker 5 (10:34):
You swear by the Lord even as you crawl through
the dark, sigawitch.
Speaker 1 (10:40):
The witch drew closer to Saul, running her fingers up
his stomach, passed his chest, then to his head. She
pressed her thumb against the side of his TEMPLEMM.
Speaker 5 (10:54):
You are a man split in two.
Speaker 1 (10:58):
She drew her lips in close to Saul's air, hissing
as she spoke.
Speaker 5 (11:04):
I can hear the other one in there. He's screaming
at you day and night. He gets away at your results.
It's only a matter of time before he is the
only one. Saul flinched, No, don't worry, you are both
(11:27):
welcome here tonight.
Speaker 1 (11:29):
The witch swayed backward toward the hearth. Her hips were
like a pendulum, back and forth, as her hands trailed
down her body. She reached behind her and took a
small flask, Its glass smeared with black residue. She pulled
the stopper with her teeth and tipped it over the fire.
(11:50):
The flame sputtered and flared. The smoke rose with a
foul smell, rancid and cloy, thick as tar m Do
you see? Saul's throat was dry.
Speaker 4 (12:03):
Samuel, bring me the see her the prophet of Israel.
Speaker 1 (12:12):
The witch drew a deep breath and blew into the smoke.
For a moment, she said nothing. Then without warning, she
stepped back, her head lolling forward like a puppet whose
strings had been cut. Her whisper slid from her lips,
a sound like wind through dead trees. Her shoulders trembled,
(12:33):
her arms shuddering violently at her sides. The whispers grew louder, faster,
words in a language Saul did not know, guttural and wrong.
Then she screamed, it was an awful pursing sound, sharp
enough to make Tave stumble back and tip over some jars.
(12:55):
The woman's body jerked and twisted, her fingers clawing at
the air. Her head snapped up. Her eyes were wide, bloodshot,
rolling in their sockets. She bore her fangs at Saul,
hissing with rage.
Speaker 5 (13:13):
You to see me, you.
Speaker 1 (13:21):
She lurched forward, her hands reaching for his throat. Saul
grabbed her hands to keep her at bay.
Speaker 3 (13:28):
Like I promised, No judgment will come to you.
Speaker 4 (13:32):
Now tell me what you see.
Speaker 1 (13:34):
The witch recoiled and looked around the room. Her breath
came in ragged gasps.
Speaker 5 (13:45):
Someone is here, someone powerful spirit, a man rising from
the earth.
Speaker 2 (13:55):
He's old, bloked.
Speaker 3 (13:58):
What comes, Samo, Samuel.
Speaker 1 (14:04):
The fire flared once more, the shadows twisted. The witch
keeled over in pain, her neck vibrating as her shrieks continued.
Her eyes darted up and she pointed at Sore. Something
was different in her voice, the presence of another. Her
(14:26):
great wind blew in from the single window in the
witch's hovel, extinguishing the fire, and every candle that lit
the room. All went dark. Everything was black, silent, save
for the ragged breaths of the witch. Her low groans
fed the sense of dread in Soul's stomach. Tarvi desperately
(14:51):
reached for a flint to reignite the hearth. When he did,
they saw the witch standing beside the flame, with her
shoulders backward and chin up. Her lips parted, and when
she spoke, it was not her voice that left them.
Speaker 4 (15:08):
Why have you inter stared me?
Speaker 1 (15:11):
Saul recoiled, his pulse, hammering in his skulls.
Speaker 3 (15:16):
Sam Sam Samuel. I am in greatest stress that the
Philistines gathered against me, in numbers beyond beyond counting. My
army is afraid. My heart trembles, trembles within me.
Speaker 1 (15:33):
Saul bowed before the woman and whatever spirit possessed her.
Speaker 3 (15:38):
There is no prophet, no priest, no dream that will
answer me. And so I have called upon you so
that you might tell me what to do.
Speaker 1 (15:49):
Silence you will do that, leave me to.
Speaker 4 (15:58):
My own thought.
Speaker 3 (16:00):
I need you words, I need your guidance. I have
sought the Lord, but he's been silent.
Speaker 1 (16:14):
Then the spirit woke, and with each word the room
grew colder.
Speaker 4 (16:20):
The Lord spends is his answer, soul.
Speaker 1 (16:24):
Soul's hands trembled why.
Speaker 4 (16:27):
Do you upon me? Everything I have prophesied to you
has come and will controverse? Who the one let your gods? David?
Speaker 1 (16:48):
Soul's face drained of all color?
Speaker 4 (16:52):
What right?
Speaker 2 (16:53):
So the Lord is inevitable?
Speaker 4 (16:58):
No, no, no, I have not. I'm come to speak
of David.
Speaker 3 (17:02):
I have come to see quisdom on how to defeat
my enemies.
Speaker 2 (17:06):
I am as will as like a hoss the.
Speaker 4 (17:12):
River, because she into her hands of feast.
Speaker 1 (17:26):
Saul's breath came fast and shallow. It was the woman's
face who spoke, But Saul could hear the anguish in
Samuel's voice.
Speaker 5 (17:36):
Tomorrow and of songs showing me.
Speaker 1 (17:42):
The fire gutted and spun with the wind. Then, just
as quickly as they had been snuffed by the wind,
all the light from the candles returned. The chamber was silent.
The witch blinked, her body twitched once, then twice. Her deep,
shuddering breath rattled from her lips, and she sat up
(18:04):
with a gasp herself once more. Saul still lay upon
the ground, motionless.
Speaker 5 (18:12):
These words exact a heavy toll. You should eat something warm,
find your strength to leave here and walk towards your fate.
Speaker 1 (18:24):
For a long moment, Saul did not respond. Then finally
his voice rasped from the shadows.
Speaker 4 (18:32):
No, I walried, what's the point?
Speaker 1 (18:42):
Slowly he forced himself upright. His limbs felt like lead,
his body empty, as if his soul had already begun
to leave it. He turned to Tavi, who had been
silent in the corner, watching with wide, fearful eyes.
Speaker 4 (19:00):
We are leaving.
Speaker 1 (19:02):
The witch stepped back, though there was no triumph in
her expression.
Speaker 5 (19:07):
If you are to fight tomorrow, then you should eat.
You will need your strength.
Speaker 1 (19:15):
Saul did not look at her. Tave hesitated, then placed
a hand on his king's arm. My lord, please, Saul
exhaled slowly. He did not want food, he did not
want warmth. He wanted nothing at all. Yet still he
sat still, he ate, and as he stared into the
(19:40):
dying fire, Samuel's words burned within him.
Speaker 5 (19:45):
Tomorrow, on your songs.
Speaker 1 (19:51):
There was no escaping it. Tomorrow Saul would march, and
tomorrow Saul would die.
Speaker 6 (20:04):
If your faith has been kindled by this podcast and
it has affected your life, we'd love it if you
left her review. We read them, and me personally, I
cherish them. As you venture forth boldly and faithfully, I
leave you with the biblical blessing from numbers six Iva
Hashem vishmerechra Yeah Heir hashempanave ele y sa hachempanavelera.
Speaker 1 (20:33):
Shaloon.
Speaker 6 (20:34):
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the
Lord make his face shine upon you. May he be
gracious to you. Made the Lord turn his face towards
you and give you peace.
Speaker 5 (20:45):
Amen.
Speaker 1 (20:47):
You can listen to the Chosen People with Isle Eckstein
add free by downloading and subscribing to the Pray dot
Com app today. This prey dot com production is only
made possible by Aunt Detikos team of creative talents. Steve Gattina,
Max Bard, Zach Shellabarger and Ben Gammon are the executive
producers of The Chosen People with Yiele Eckstein, edited by
(21:10):
Alberto Avilla, narrated by Paul Coltofianu. Characters are voiced by
Jonathan Gotten, Aaron Salvado, Sarah Seltz, Mike Reagan, Stephen Ringwold,
Sylvia Zaradoc, Thomas Copeland, Junior, Rosanna Pilcher, and the opening
prayer is voiced by John Moore. Music by Andrew Morgan Smith,
(21:31):
written by Aaron Salvato bre Rosalie and Chris Baig. Special
thanks to Bishop Paulinier, Robin van Ettin, Kayleb Burrows, Jocelyn Fuller,
and the team at International Fellowship of Christians and Jews.
You can hear more Prey dot com productions on the
Prey dot com app, available on the Apple App Store
and Google Play Store. If you enjoyed The Chosen People
(21:54):
with Yile Eckstein, please rate and leave a review.
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