Study Desk

who was ninety-eight years old and whose eyes were set so that he could not see.

So they called together all the rulers of the Philistines and asked them, "What shall we do with the ark of the god of Israel?" They answered, "Have the ark of the god of Israel moved to Gath." So they moved the ark of the God of Israel.

So they sent the ark of God to Ekron. As the ark of God was entering Ekron, the people of Ekron cried out, "They have brought the ark of the god of Israel around to us to kill us and our people."

So they called together all the rulers of the Philistines and said, "Send the ark of the god of Israel away; let it go back to its own place, or it will kill us and our people." For death had filled the city with panic; God's hand was very heavy upon it.

Why do you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh did? When he treated them harshly, did they not send the Israelites out so they could go on their way?

So they did this. They took two such cows and hitched them to the cart and penned up their calves.

So the men of Kiriath Jearim came and took up the ark of the LORD . They took it to Abinadab's house on the hill and consecrated Eleazar his son to guard the ark of the LORD .

So the Israelites put away their Baals and Ashtoreths, and served the LORD only.

So the Philistines were subdued and did not invade Israelite territory again. Throughout Samuel's lifetime, the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines.

So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah.

But when they said, "Give us a king to lead us," this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the LORD .

As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you.

So he passed through the hill country of Ephraim and through the area around Shalisha, but they did not find them. They went on into the district of Shaalim, but the donkeys were not there. Then he passed through the territory of Benjamin, but they did not find them.

The servant answered him again. "Look," he said, "I have a quarter of a shekel of silver. I will give it to the man of God so that he will tell us what way to take."

"Good," Saul said to his servant. "Come, let's go." So they set out for the town where the man of God was.

So the cook took up the leg with what was on it and set it in front of Saul. Samuel said, "Here is what has been kept for you. Eat, because it was set aside for you for this occasion, from the time I said, 'I have invited guests.' " And Saul dined with Samuel that day.

As they were going down to the edge of the town, Samuel said to Saul, "Tell the servant to go on ahead of us"-and the servant did so-"but you stay here awhile, so that I may give you a message from God."

A man who lived there answered, "And who is their father?" So it became a saying: "Is Saul also among the prophets?"

But you have now rejected your God, who saves you out of all your calamities and distresses. And you have said, 'No, set a king over us.' So now present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes and clans."

So they inquired further of the LORD , "Has the man come here yet?" And the LORD said, "Yes, he has hidden himself among the baggage."