Saul Chosen King

91 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 e , a mighty man of valor . 2 He had a son whose name was Saul , a choice and handsome man, and there was not a more handsome person than he among the sons of Israel ; from his shoulders and up he was taller than any of the people .

3 Now the donkeys of Kish , Saul's father , were lost . So Kish said to his son Saul , "Take now with you one of the servants , and arise , go search for the donkeys ." 4 He passed through the hill country 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 , Saul said to his servant who was with him, "Come , and let us return , or else my father will cease to be concerned about the donkeys and will become anxious for us." 6 He said to him, "Behold now , there is a man of God in this city , and the man is held in honor ; all that he says surely comes true. Now let us go there , perhaps he can tell us about our journey on which we have set out." 7 Then Saul said 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 no 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 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 man went to inquire of God , he used to say , "Come , and let us go to the seer "; for he who is called a prophet now was formerly called a seer .) 10 Then Saul said to his servant , "Well said ; come , let us go ." So they went to the city where e the man of God was.

11 As they went up the slope to the city , they found young women going out to draw water and said to them, "Is the seer here ?" 12 They answered them and said , "He is; see , he is ahead of you. Hurry now , for he has come into the city today , for the people have a sacrifice on the high place today . 13 "As soon as you enter the city you will find him before he goes up to the high place to eat , for the people will not eat until he comes , because he must bless the sacrifice ; afterward e those who are invited will eat . Now therefore, go up for you will find him at once ." 14 So they went up to the city . As they came into the city , behold , Samuel was coming out toward them to go up to the high place . 15 Now a day before Saul's coming , the Lord had revealed e this to Samuel saying , 16 "About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin , and you shall anoint him to be prince over My people Israel ; 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." 17 When Samuel saw Saul , the Lord said to him, " Behold , the man of whom I spoke to you! This one shall rule over My people ."

18 Then Saul approached Samuel in the gate 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 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 lost three days ago , 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's household ?" 21 Saul replied , " 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 this way ?" 22 Then Samuel took Saul 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 thirty men . 23 Samuel said to the cook , "Bring the portion that I gave you, concerning which I said to you, 'Set it aside .' " 24 Then the cook took up the leg with what was on it and set it before Saul . And Samuel said , "Here is what has been reserved ! Set it before you and eat , because it has been kept for you until the appointed time , since I said I have invited the people ." So Saul ate with Samuel that day . 25 When they came down from the high place into the city , Samuel spoke with Saul on the roof . 26 And they arose early ; and at daybreak Samuel called to Saul on the roof , saying , "Get up, that I may send you away ." So Saul arose , and both he and Samuel went out into the street . 27 As they were going down to the edge of the city , Samuel said to Saul , "Say to the servant that he might go ahead of us and pass on, but you remain standing now , that I may proclaim the word of God to you."