1
Now there was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of a Benjamite*, a mightyman of valor.
2
He had a son whose name was Saul, a choice and handsome man, and there was not a morehandsomepersonthan he among the sons of Israel; from his shoulders and up he was tallerthanany of the people.
3
Now the donkeys of Kish, Saul'sfather, were lost. So Kishsaid to his sonSaul, "Takenow with you one of the servants, and arise, gosearch for the donkeys."
4
He passed through the hillcountry of Ephraim and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find them. Then they passed through the land of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they did not find them.
5
When they came to the land of Zuph, Saulsaid to his servantwho was with him, "Come, and let us return, orelse my father will cease to be concerned about the donkeys and will becomeanxious for us."
6
He said to him, "Beholdnow, there is a man of God in thiscity, and the man is held in honor; all that he sayssurelycomes true. Now let us gothere, perhaps he can tell us about our journey on which we have set out."
7
Then Saulsaid to his servant, "But behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? For the bread is gone from our sack and there is nopresent to bring to the man of God. What do we have?"
8
The servantansweredSaulagain and said, "Behold, I have in my hand a fourth of a shekel of silver; I will give it to the man of God and he will tell us our way."
9
(Formerly in Israel, when a manwent to inquire of God, he used to say, "Come, and let us go to the seer "; for he who is called a prophetnow was formerlycalled a seer.)
12
They answered them and said, "He is; see, he is ahead of you. Hurrynow, for he has come into the citytoday, for the people have a sacrifice on the highplacetoday.
13
"As soon as you enter the city you will find him before he goes up to the highplace to eat, for the people will not eatuntil he comes, because he must bless the sacrifice; afterward* those who are invited will eat. Now therefore, go up for you will find him at once."
16
"About this timetomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be princeover My peopleIsrael; and he will deliver My people from the hand of the Philistines. For I have regarded My people, because their cry has come to Me."
19
SamuelansweredSaul and said, "I am the seer. Go up before me to the highplace, for you shall eat with me today; and in the morning I will let you go, and will tell you all that is on your mind.
20
"As for your donkeys which were lostthreedaysago, do not set your mind on them, for they have been found. And for whom is all that is desirable in Israel? Is it not for you and for all your father'shousehold?"
21
Saulreplied, "Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then do you speak to me in thisway?"
22
Then SamueltookSaul and his servant and brought them into the hall and gave them a place at the head of those who were invited, who were about thirtymen.
24
Then the cooktook up the leg with what was on it and set it beforeSaul. And Samuel said, "Here is what has been reserved! Set it before you and eat, because it has been kept for you until the appointedtime, since I said I have invited the people." So Saulate with Samuel that day.
26
And they aroseearly; and at daybreakSamuelcalled to Saul on the roof, saying, "Get up, that I may send you away." So Saularose, and both he and Samuelwent out into the street.
27
As they were goingdown to the edge of the city, Samuelsaid to Saul, "Say to the servant that he might goahead of us and pass on, but you remain standingnow, that I may proclaim the word of God to you."