The Witch of Endor’s necromancy is described in 1 Samuel 28. Specifically, she was deceived into performing her magic after Saul came to her in disguise. When he asked for Samuel, and when the prophet’s ghost appeared to her, the witch realized who her client was and grew furious with the king — but she still summoned the dead prophet for him.
The witch had the power to call Samuel from the dead, but she couldn’t put him in a good mood about it. Samuel berated Saul (and Saul only) for disturbing him. And when Saul pleaded with him for advice, Samuel replied, “Why do you consult me, now that the Lord has departed from you and become your enemy?” He made it plain that God had decisively abandoned Saul and would deliver the kingdom of Israel unto David, but not before the Philistines destroyed Saul’s army. “And tomorrow,” Samuel told the man he had once raised to kingship, “you and your sons will be with me.”
When Samuel’s ghost departed, the Witch of Endor did not comfort Saul in his despair but did urge him to eat and gain strength. When his advisors concurred, Saul accepted her food before leaving and kept his promise — the witch was left unharmed. But every prediction that Samuel made through her came to pass. After his sons were slaughtered, Saul killed himself rather than face torture by the Philistines.
