A town on the north side of the Hill of Moreh, on the opposite side from the Philistine camp, about 7 mi. (11.2 km.) from where Saul was staying with his forces on Mt. Gilboa. It still bears the same name, Endôr.

 Heb. ba‘alath-’ob. Ba‘alath means “mistress.” ’Ob should be rendered “necromancer,” or, in modern language, “a medium” (see RSV; see also on Lev. 19:31). The word is also used of necromancy, as in v. 8, where Saul literally says, “Inquire, I pray, for me by necromancy.” Our English word necromancy comes from two Greek words, nekros, dead, and manteia, divination, and describes the art of ascertaining the future by alleged communications with the spirits of the dead.

 In his mad haste Saul turned to the source of information he himself had condemned (v. 3). The man who was once filled with spiritual zeal now gave way to the heathen superstition of calling on the supposed spirits of departed souls for help.