It may be surprising to learn there were witches in biblical times. But according to 1 Samuel, Saul (the first King of Israel) was concerned about the outcome of his tribe's impending battle against the Philistines. So even though sorcery was outlawed in his kingdom, Saul disguised himself and sought the services of a woman at Endor to conjure up the spirit of Samuel (a leader of ancient Israel), who informed him that he and his sons would die the next day in combat. Samuel was half right — Saul's sons were killed and the King committed suicide.