The present drawing illustrates the Biblical story of Saul and the Witch of Endor (I Samuel, 28). Saul, King of Israel, on the eve of the battle with the Philistines consulted the witch of Endor. Although in the early days of his reign he had particularly forbade the calling of the dead, feeling himself forsaken by God, Saul asked the witch to consult his mentor the prophet Samuel. The latter told Saul that neither he nor his sons would survive the battle. The following day his three sons died, and Saul, mortally wounded, threw himself on his sword to avoid death at the hands of his ennemies.