Biblical Limericks: She Was a Happy Medium

There was a witch who lived in Endor
who knew the incantations and lore;
in the dark of the night
she would perform the rite
that would bring up the spirits once more.

1 Samuel 28

I've written before about the witch of Endor - When the Dead Speak.

Curiously when this story is retold by the author of Sirach, the role of the medium is left out.  The prophet Samuel, of his own volition, gives a prophecy from beyond the grave:

Samuel was beloved by his Lord;

a prophet of the Lord, he established the kingdom

and anointed rulers over his people.

By the law of the Lord he judged the congregation,

and the Lord watched over Jacob.

By his faithfulness he was proved to be a prophet,

and by his words he became known as a trustworthy seer.

He called upon the Lord, the Mighty One,

when his enemies pressed him on every side,

and he offered in sacrifice a suckling lamb.

Then the Lord thundered from heaven,

and made his voice heard with a mighty sound;

he subdued the leaders of the enemy

and all the rulers of the Philistines.

Before the time of his eternal sleep,

Samuel bore witness before the Lord and his anointed:

“No property, not so much as a pair of shoes,

have I taken from anyone!”

And no one accused him.

Even after he had fallen asleep, he prophesied

and made known to the king his death,

and lifted up his voice from the ground

in prophecy, to blot out the wickedness of the people.

Sirach 46: 14 - 20