Study Desk

The Lord said to Samuel, "Listen to their voice, and choose a king for them." So Samuel said to the men of Israel, "Every one of you go home to his city."

Now the donkeys of Saul's father Kish were lost. So Kish said to his son Saul, "Take one of the servants and go look for the donkeys."

When they came to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, "Come, let us return. My father might stop worrying about the donkeys and start worrying about us."

Then Saul said to his servant, "But if we go, what can we bring the man? The bread in our bags is gone. There is no gift to bring to the man of God. What do we have?"

Saul said to his servant, "What you said is good. Come, let us go." So they went to the city where the man of God was.

Then Samuel took Saul and his servant and brought them into the meeting room. He gave them a place at the head of those who were asked to come, about thirty men.

Then Samuel took a bottle of oil and poured it on Saul's head. He kissed him and said, "Has not the Lord chosen you to be a ruler over His land?

When Saul turned his back to leave Samuel, God changed his heart. And all these special things happened on that day.

The brother of Saul's father said to him and his servant, "Where have you been?" And Saul said, "To look for the donkeys. When we saw that they could not be found, we went to Samuel."

Saul said to his father's brother, "He told us that the donkeys had been found." But he did not tell him what Samuel had told him about being king.

Then Samuel told the people the rights and duties of the king and his nation. He wrote them in a book and laid it before the Lord. Then Samuel sent all the people away, each one to his home.

Then Nahash the Ammonite came and his soldiers set up their tents around Jabesh-gilead. All the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, "Make an agreement with us, and we will work for you."

Here I am. Speak against me to the Lord and Saul His chosen one. Whose bull have I taken? Whose donkey have I taken? To whom have I not been honest? For whom have I made it hard? From whose hand have I taken pay for closing my eyes to the truth? I will return it to you."

Samuel said to them, "The Lord has heard you. And His chosen one has heard this day that you have found nothing in my hand." And they said, "The Lord has heard."

Now stand where you are, that I may argue with you before the Lord about all His saving acts which He did for you and your fathers.

Fear the Lord and worship Him. Listen to His voice and do not go against the Word of the Lord. If both you and the king who rules over you will follow the Lord your God, it will be well.

The Lord will not leave His people alone, because of His great name. The Lord has been pleased to make you His people.

Saul chose 3,000 men of Israel. There were 2,000 of them with Saul in Michmash and in the hill country of Bethel. And 1,000 were with Jonathan at Gibeah of Benjamin. But he sent away the rest of the people, each to his tent.

But now your rule will not last. The Lord has found a man who is pleasing to him in every way. He has chosen him to rule over his people, because you have not obeyed the Lord."

Saul and his son Jonathan, and the people with them, stayed in Geba of Benjamin, while the Philistines stayed at Michmash.