1Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power.
2And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and handsome; 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.
3And the donkeys of Kish, Saul's father, were lost. And Kish said to Saul, “Take one of the servants with you, and go seek the donkeys”.
4And he passed through Mount Ephraim, and through the land of Shalisha, but they found them not. Then they passed through the land of Shaalim, and they were not there; and he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but did not find them.
5And when they had come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant, “Come, and let us return; lest my father stop caring for the donkeys, and become anxious for us”.
6And his servant said to him, “Behold, there is in this city a highly regarded man of God; all that he says comes surely to pass: let us go there; perhaps he can tell us where we should go”.
7Then Saul said to his servant, “But, behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? For our bread in our packs is depleted, and we have no present to bring to this man of God: what have we?”
8And the servant answered, and said, “Behold, I have here at hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver; will I give that to the man of God, to tell us our way”.
9(Previously in Israel, when a man went to enquire of God, he spoke thusly, “Come, and let us go to the seer”; for what is now called a “Prophet” was formerly called a “Seer”.)
10Then Saul said to his servant, “Well said; come, let us go”. So they went to the city where the man of God was.
11And as they ascended the hill to the city, they found young maidens going out to draw water, and they asked them, “Is the seer here?”
12And they replied, “He is; look, he is before you: Hurry now, for he came to the city today; for there is a sacrifice of the people today in the high place:
13As soon as you have come into the city, you shall 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; and afterwards they that are invited eat. Now, therefore, get up there; for about this time you shall find him.”
14And they went up into the city; and when they entered the city, Samuel came out toward them, to go up to the high place.
15Now the LORD had told Samuel a day before that Saul was coming, 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 captain (king) over My people Israel, that he may save My people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon My people, because their cry is come unto Me.”
17And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said to him, “Behold the man whom I spoke to you of! This same shall reign over My people.”
18Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, “Tell me, I pray you, where the seer's house is”.
19And Samuel replied to Saul, “I am the seer: go up before me to the high place; for you shall eat with me today, and tomorrow I will let you go, and will tell you all that is in your heart.
20And as for your donkeys that were lost three days ago, set not your mind on them; for they are found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on you, and on all your father's house?”
21And Saul answered and said, “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 this way to me?”
22And Samuel brought Saul and his servant into the parlor, and made them sit in the chief place among about thirty persons that were invited.
23And Samuel said to the cook, Bring the portion which I gave you, of which I said to you, “Set it by you”.
24And the cook took up the shoulder, and that which was upon it, and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, “Behold that which is left! Set it before you, and eat, for it has been kept for you unto this time since I said, “I have invited the people.” So Saul ate with Samuel that day.
25And when they had come down from the high place into the city, Samuel talked with Saul upon the top of the house.
26And they arose early; and about the dawn of the day, Samuel called Saul to the top of the house, saying, “Up, that I may send you away”. And Saul arose, and both he and Samuel went out, abroad.
27And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell your servant pass on before us, but you stay here for a while, so that I may tell you a word of God.” Easy Reader Bible: Purple Letter Edition © 2023 by Jim Musser. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. Bible Hub |
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