Study Desk

So Samuel told all the words of the LORD to the people who were asking him for a king.

so that we too may be like all the nations [around us], that our king may judge [and govern] us and go out before us and fight our battles."

And the LORD said to Samuel, "Listen to their request and appoint a king for them." So Samuel said to the men of Israel, "Go, each man to his own city."

Saul said to his servant, "Well said; come, let us go." So they went to the city where the man of God was living.

"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 ask the blessing on the sacrifice; afterward, those who are invited will eat. So go up now, for about now you will find him."

So they went up to the city. And as they came into the city, there was Samuel coming out toward them to go up to the high place.

Then the cook lifted up the leg (thigh) with the meat that was on it [indicating that it was the priest's honored portion] and placed it before Saul. Samuel said, "Here is what has been reserved [for you]. Set it before you and eat, because it has been kept for you until the appointed time, ever since I invited the people." So Saul ate with Samuel that day.

They got up early [the next day]; and at dawn Samuel called Saul [who was sleeping] on the roof, saying, "Get up, so that I may send you on your way." Saul got up, and both he and Samuel went outside.

As they were going down to the outskirts of the city, Samuel said to Saul, "Tell the servant to go on ahead of us so that he may pass by but you stand still now so that I may proclaim the word of God to you."

And a man from there answered, "But who is the father of the others?" So it became a proverb, "Is Saul also among the prophets?"

So they inquired further of the LORD, "Has the man come here yet?" And the LORD answered, "He is there, hiding himself by the provisions and supplies."

So they ran and took him from there, and when he stood among the people, he was taller than any of the people from his shoulders upward.

Samuel said to all the people, "Do you see him whom the LORD has chosen? For there is no one like him among all the people." So all the people shouted and said, "Long live the king!"

The elders of Jabesh said to Nahash, "Give us seven days so that we may send messengers throughout the territory of Israel. Then, if there is no one to save us, we will come out [and surrender] to you."

Now Saul was coming out of the field behind the oxen, and he said, "What is the matter with the people that they are weeping?" So they told him about the report of the men of Jabesh.

They said to the messengers who had come, "You shall say to the men of Jabesh-gilead: 'Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you will have help [against the Ammonites].'" So the messengers came and reported this to the men of Jabesh; and they were overjoyed.

So the men of Jabesh said [to Nahash the Ammonite], "Tomorrow we will come out to you [to surrender], and you may do to us whatever seems good to you."

So all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal. There they also sacrificed peace offerings before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.

"Now then, take your stand, so that I may plead and contend with you before the LORD concerning all the righteous acts of the LORD which He did for you and for your fathers.

"So now, take your stand and see this great thing which the LORD will do before your eyes.