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 a better person among the people of Israel 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, Take one of the servants with you now, get up and go seek 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 there they weren't there: and 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, and let us return, so that my father doesn't stop worrying about the donkeys, and get anxious for us.
6 He said to him, Look, there is a man of God in this city, and he is a man who is held in honor; all that he says surely comes to pass: now let us go there; perhaps he can advise us about our journey we are going on.
7 Then said Saul to his servant, But, look, if we go, what should we bring the man? for the bread in our packs is gone, and we do not have a present to bring to the man of God: what do we have?
8 The servant answered Saul again, and said, look, I have a fourth of a shekel of silver in my hand: I that give that to the man of God to tell us the way to go.
9 (In earlier times in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he said this: Come, and let us go to the seer; for he who is now called a prophet was earlier called a seer.)
10 Then said Saul 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 hill 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; look, he is ahead of you: hurry now, for he is come today into the city; for the people have a sacrifice today in the high place:
13 as soon as you are 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 come, because he blesses the sacrifice; and afterwards those who are invited eat. So now get going; for this is the time you can find him.
14 They went up to the city; and as they came in the city, look, Samuel came out toward them, to go up to the high place.
15 Now the Lord 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; and he shall save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked on 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 have authority over my people.
18 Then Saul came up to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, Please, where the seer's house is.
19 Samuel answered Saul, and said, I am the seer; go up ahead of me to the high place, for you will eat with me today: and 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, do not worry about them; for they are found. For whom is all that is desirable in Israel? Is it not for you, and for 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 this way?
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 the thigh, and the meat which was on it, and set it before Saul. Samuel said, Behold, this is what has been saved for you! Set it before you 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 it was about at dawn that Samuel called to Saul on the housetop, saying, Get up, so that I may send you away. Saul arose, and both of them went out, he and Samuel.
27 As they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Ask the servant to go ahead of us (and he went ahead), but you stand still first, that I may have you hear the word of God.