1 Samuel 9

1There was a man from Benjamin whose name was Kish son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, a Benjamite. He was a man of wealth and standing.

2He had a son named Saul, an impressive young man. No one among the Israelites was more handsome than he; he stood head and shoulders taller than any of the people.

3Now the donkeys of Kish, Saul’s father, had wandered off, so Kish said to his son Saul, “Take one of the servants with you, and go look for the donkeys.”

4So Saul went through the hill country of Ephraim and through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find them. They went through the land of Shaalim, but the donkeys were not there. Then he went through the land of Benjamin, but they did not find them.

5When they came to the land of Zuph, Saul said to the servant who was with him, “Come, let us go back, or my father will stop worrying about the donkeys and start worrying about us.”

6But the servant said to him, “Listen, there is a man of God in this town, and he is highly respected. Everything he says comes true. Let us go there now. Perhaps he can tell us which way to go.”

7Saul said to his servant, “But if we go, what can we bring the man? The bread in our bags is gone, and we have no gift to bring to the man of God. What do we have?”

8The servant answered Saul again, “Look, I have a quarter of a shekel of silver with me. I will give it to the man of God, and he will tell us which way to go.”

9In the past in Israel, when someone went to inquire of God, he would say, “Come, let us go to the seer,” because the one who is now called a prophet used to be called a seer.

10Saul said to his servant, “Good idea. Come, let us go.” So they went to the town where the man of God was.

11As they were going up the hill to the town, they met some young women coming out to draw water, and they asked them, “Is the seer here?”

12“Yes,” they answered. “He is just ahead of you. Hurry now; he has just come to town today, because the people are offering a sacrifice today at the high place.

13As soon as you go into the town, you will find him before he goes up to the high place to eat. The people will not eat until he comes, because he must bless the sacrifice; after that, the invited guests will eat. Go up now, for you will find him right away.”

14So they went up to the town. As they were entering the town, there was Samuel, coming out toward them on his way up to the high place.

15Now the day before Saul came, Yahweh had revealed this to Samuel:

16“About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him as leader over my people Israel. He will save my people from the power of the Philistines, for I have looked on my people, because their cry has reached me.”

17When Samuel saw Saul, Yahweh told him, “This is the man I spoke to you about. He will govern my people.”

18Saul approached Samuel in the gateway and said, “Please tell me where the seer’s house is.”

19“I am the seer,” Samuel answered Saul. “Go up ahead of me to the high place, for today you are to eat with me. In the morning I will send you on your way, and I will tell you everything that is on your mind.

20As for the donkeys you lost three days ago, do not worry about them, for they have been found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel set? Is it not on you and on all your father’s family?”

21Saul answered, “But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest of the tribes of Israel? And is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why do you say such a thing to me?”

22Then Samuel took Saul and his servant and brought them into the hall and gave them a place at the head of those who had been invited, about thirty people.

23Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the portion I gave you, the one I told you to set aside.”

24So the cook took up the thigh and what was on it and set it before Saul. He said, “Here is what has been kept for you. Eat it, because it was set aside for you for this occasion, from the time I said, ‘I have invited the people.’” So Saul ate with Samuel that day.

25After they came down from the high place into the town, Samuel talked with Saul on the roof.

26They got up early, and at daybreak Samuel called to Saul on the roof, “Get up, and I will send you on your way.” So Saul got up, and he and Samuel went outside together.

27As they were going down to the edge of the town, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the servant to go on ahead of us”—and he went on—“but you stay here for a while, so that I may tell you the word of God.”