Chapter 9
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 mighty man of valor .
2 He had a son whose name was Saul , an impressive young man ; and there was not among the children of Israel a more handsome person than he . From his shoulders and upward he was taller than any of the people .
3 The donkeys of Kish , Saul ’s father , were lost. Kish said to Saul his son , " Now take one of the servants with you , and arise , go look for the donkeys."
4 He passed through the hill country of Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalishah , but they didn’t find them . Then they passed through the land of Shaalim , and they weren’t there . Then he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they didn’t find them .
5 When they had come to the land of Zuph , Saul said to his servant who was with him , " Come ! Let ’s return , lest my father stop caring about the donkeys and be anxious for us ."
6 The servant said to him , " Behold now , there is a man of God in this city , and he is a man who is held in honor . All that he says surely happens. Now let ’s go there . Perhaps he can tell us which way to go ."
7 Then Saul said to his servant , " But behold , if we go , what should we bring the man ? For the bread is spent in our sacks , and there is not a present to bring to the man of God. What do we have ?"
8 The servant answered Saul again and said , " Behold , I have in my hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver . I will give that to the man of God , to tell us our way ."
9 ( In earlier times in Israel , when a man went to inquire of God, he said , " Come ! Let ’s go to the seer ;" for he who is now called a prophet was before called a seer .)
10 Then Saul said to his servant , " Well said . Come ! Let ’s go ." So they went to the city where the man of God was .
11 As they went up the ascent to the city , they found young maidens going out to draw water , and said to them , " Is the seer here ?"
12 They answered them and said , " He is . Behold , he is before you . Hurry now , for he has come today into the city ; for the people have a sacrifice today in the high place .
13 As soon as you have come into the city , you will immediately find him before he goes up to the high place to eat; for the people will not eat until he comes , because he blesses the sacrifice . Afterwards those who are invited eat. Now therefore go up ; for at this time you will find him ."
14 They went up to the city . As they came within the city , behold , Samuel came out toward them to go up to the high place .
15 Now Yahweh had revealed to Samuel a day before Saul came , saying,
16 " Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man out of the land of Benjamin , and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel . He will save my people out of the hand of the Philistines ; for I have looked upon my people , because their cry has come to me ."
17 When Samuel saw Saul , Yahweh said to him , " Behold , the man of whom I spoke to you ! He will have authority over my people ."
18 Then Saul approached Samuel in the gateway , and said, " Please tell me where the seer ’s house is ."
19 Samuel answered Saul and said , " I am the seer . Go up before me to the high place , for you are to eat with me today . In the morning I will let you go and will tell you all that is in your heart .
20 As for your donkeys who were lost three days ago , don’t set your mind on them , for they have been found . For whom does all Israel desire ? Is it not you and all your father’s house ?"
21 Saul answered , "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 like this ?"
22 Samuel took Saul and his servant and brought them into the guest room , and made them sit in the best place among those who were invited , who were about thirty persons.
23 Samuel said to the cook , " Bring the portion which I gave you , of which I said to you , ‘ Set it aside .’"
24 The cook took up the thigh , and that which was on it , and set it before Saul . Samuel said , " Behold , that which has been reserved ! Set it before yourself and eat; because it has been kept for you for the appointed time , for I said , ‘ I have invited the people .’" So Saul ate with Samuel that day .
25 When they had come down from the high place into the city , he talked with Saul on the housetop .
26 They arose early ; and about daybreak , Samuel called to Saul on the housetop , saying, " Get up , that I may send you away ." Saul arose , and they both went outside , he and Samuel , together .
27 As they were going down at the end of the city , Samuel said to Saul , " Tell the servant to go on ahead of us ." He went ahead , then Samuel said , " But stand still first , that I may cause you to hear God’s message ."