1 Samuel 9:11-27 ▼

11 They were going up on the ascent of the city, and they met young women going out to draw water and said to them, “Is there the seer in this place?”

12 And they answered them and said, “He is; behold, ahead of you. Hurry now, for today he came to the city, for unto the people there is a sacrifice today on the high place.

13 In your? entering the city, thus 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. After thus, those will eat who are invited. And now go up, for at this time you? will find him.”

14 And they went up to the city. They were coming into the midst of the city, and there was Samuel coming out toward them on his way up to the high place.

15 And YHWH had uncovered the ear of Samuel one day before the coming of Saul, saying,

16 “At this time tomorrow I will send to you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him commander over My people Israel, that he may save My people from the hand of the Philistines. For I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come to Me.”

17 And Samuel saw Saul, and YHWH said to him, “Behold, the man of whom I spoke to you. This one shall reign over My people.”

18 And Saul drew near to Samuel in the midst of the gate and said, “Tell me please, where is the house of the seer?”

19 And 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 I will let you go tomorrow, and all that is in your heart I will declare to you.

20 And as for the donkeys that were lost to you three days ago, set not your heart to them, for they have been found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on you and on all the house of your father?”

21 And Saul answered and said, “Am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my family the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? And why do you speak to me like this?”

22 And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the hall and had them sit in the place of honor of those called, and they were about thirty persons.

23 And Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the portion that I gave to you, of which I said to you: Set it by you.”

24 And the cook took up the leg and what was attached to it, and he set it before the face of Saul. And he said, “Behold, what was kept back! It was set apart for you. Eat, for to this appointed season it has been kept for you, saying, ‘The people I have invited.’” And Saul ate with Samuel that day.

25 And they had come down from the high place into the city, and he spoke with Saul on the roof.

26 And they arose early, and it came to pass at the ascending of the dawn, that Samuel called to Saul on the roof, saying, “Get up, that I may send you on your way.” And Saul arose, and went the two of them—he and Samuel—outside.

27 As they were going down to the outskirts of the city, Samuel said to Saul, “Speak to the servant that he may pass on before our face,” and he went on. “And you stand awhile, and I will make you hear the word of God.”