Religion: ‘Saul and the Witch of Endor’—from a 1526 oil painting by Dutch artist Jacob Cornelisz van Oostsanen.

In this scene from the Book of Samuel in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), the Witch of Endor summons the spirit of the recently deceased prophet Samuel at the request of Saul, the king of Israel.

King Saul had consulted the witch, often referred to as the Medium of Endor, on the eve of a battle with the Philistines. The witch summons Samuel who prophesizes that the Philistines will win the battle and that Saul’s sons will be killed. Saul is told he is being punished for turning his back on God. The prophesy comes true and Saul commits suicide by falling on his sword.

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Supplier: CPA Media Co. Ltd.

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Pictures From History