Location
Overview
Endor, near the Jezreel Valley, is remembered for one dark night — Saul's secret visit to a medium when God would no longer answer him.
Saul in despair
On the eve of battle, terrified and abandoned by God — who "answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets" — Saul disguised himself and sought "a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor" (1 Samuel 28:6–7).
The shade of Samuel
The medium was startled when Samuel appeared. The prophet pronounced Saul's doom: "to morrow shalt thou and thy sons be with me: the LORD also shall deliver the host of Israel into the hand of the Philistines" (1 Samuel 28:19).
The end of a king
Saul's recourse to Endor — forbidden by God's own law — became a summary of his ruin: "Saul died for his transgression... and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit" (1 Chronicles 10:13).
Events Here
Saul consults the medium at Endor on the eve of battle
Scripture References
3 versesJoshua1 verse
Joshua 17:11
And Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher Bethshean and her towns, and Ibleam and her towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, and the inhabitants of Endor and her towns, and the inhabitants of Taanach and her towns, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns, even three countries.
1 Samuel1 verse
1 Samuel 28:7
Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor.
Psalms1 verse
Psalms 83:10
Which perished at Endor: they became as dung for the earth.
Archaeology & History
Endor lay on the northern side of the hill of Moreh, near the Jezreel Valley, not far from Saul's encampment on Mount Gilboa. The psalmist also recalls it as a place of slaughter in an earlier battle (Psalm 83:9–10). Its name is preserved in the area of Ein Dor.
People who appear here
Frequently asked about Endor
Where is Endor today?
Today, Endor corresponds to Ein Dor area, Israel.
What does the name Endor mean?
The name Endor means “Spring of Dor”.
What happened at Endor in the Bible?
Key biblical events at Endor include saul consults the medium at endor on the eve of battle.
Where is Endor first mentioned in the Bible?
Endor is first mentioned in Joshua 17:11.
How often is Endor mentioned in the Bible?
Endor is mentioned in 3 verses across 3 books: Joshua, 1 Samuel, Psalms.
What happened at Endor?
On the night before his last battle, Saul secretly consulted a medium at Endor, who summoned Samuel’s spirit; Samuel foretold Saul’s death the next day.
Why did Saul go to Endor?
God had stopped answering him by lawful means, so in despair he turned to a forbidden medium — an act Chronicles names as part of why he died.