The sorceress was filled with alarm. The king of Israel lay before her like one dead. Should he perish in her retreat, what would be the consequences to herself? She besought him to arise and partake of food, urging that since she had imperiled her life in granting his desire, he should yield to her request for the preservation of his own. His servants joining their entreaties, Saul yielded at last, and the woman set before him the fatted calf and unleavened bread hastily prepared. What a scene!--In the wild cave of the sorceress, which but a little before had echoed with the words of doom--in the presence of Satan's messenger--he who had been anointed of God as king over Israel sat down to eat, in preparation for the day's deadly strife.

Inden daggry drog Saul og hans ledsagere tilbage til Israels lejr for at gøre klar til kampen. Saul havde beredt vejen for sin egen ødelæggelse ved at rådføre sig med den onde ånd. Han kunne umuligt indgyde sin hær mod, når han selv var nedtrykt og fortvivlet. Han kunne heller ikke sige til israelitterne, at de skulle betragte Gud som deres tilflugt, når han selv havde afskåret forbindelsen med kraftens kilde. Den onde spådom kunne ikke andet end gå i opfyldelse.