King James Version KJV
New International Version NIV
20 And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was taken.
20
When Samuel had all Israel come forward by tribes, the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot.
21 When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken: and when they sought him, he could not be found.
21
Then he brought forward the tribe of Benjamin, clan by clan, and Matri’s clan was taken. Finally Saul son of Kish was taken. But when they looked for him, he was not to be found.
22 Therefore they enquired of the LORD further, if the man should yet come thither. And the LORD answered, Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff.
22
So they inquired further of the LORD, “Has the man come here yet?” And the LORD said, “Yes, he has hidden himself among the supplies.”
23 And they ran and fetched him thence: and when he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward.
23
They ran and brought him out, and as he stood among the people he was a head taller than any of the others.
24 And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the LORD hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted, and said, God save the king.
24
Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the man the LORD has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.” Then the people shouted, “Long live the king!”
25 Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, and wrote it in a book, and laid it up before the LORD. And Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house.
25
Samuel explained to the people the rights and duties of kingship. He wrote them down on a scroll and deposited it before the LORD. Then Samuel dismissed the people to go to their own homes.
26 And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and there went with him a band of men, whose hearts God had touched.
26
Saul also went to his home in Gibeah, accompanied by valiant men whose hearts God had touched.
27 But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? And they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace.
27
But some scoundrels said, “How can this fellow save us?” They despised him and brought him no gifts. But Saul kept silent.
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Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.