Study Desk

(Formerly in Israel, a man on his way to inquire of God would say, "Come, let us go to the seer." For the prophet of today was formerly called the seer.)

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

"Yes, he is ahead of you," they answered. "Hurry now, for today he has come to the city because the people have a sacrifice on the high place.

"At this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you are to anoint him leader over My people Israel; he will deliver them from the hand of the Philistines. For I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come to Me."

"I am the seer," Samuel replied. "Go up before me to the high place, for you shall eat with me today. And when I send you off in the morning, I will tell you all that is in your heart.

As for the donkeys you lost three days ago, do not worry about them, for they have been found. And upon whom is all the desire of Israel, if not upon you and on all your father's house?"

So the cook picked up the leg and what was attached to it and set it before Saul. Then Samuel said, "Here is what was kept back. It was set apart for you. Eat, for it has been kept for you for this occasion, from the time I said, 'I have invited the people.' So Saul dined with Samuel that day.

As they were going down to the edge of the city, Samuel said to Saul, "Tell the servant to go on ahead of us, but you stay for a while, and I will reveal to you the word of God." So the servant went on.

When these signs have come, do as the occasion demands, for God is with you.

Now Saul's uncle asked him and his servant, "Where did you go?" "To look for the donkeys," Saul replied. "When we saw they were not to be found, we went to Samuel."

Then he had the tribe of Benjamin come forward by its clans, and the clan of Matri was selected. Finally, Saul son of Kish was selected. But when they looked for him, they could not find him.

"Hold off for seven days," replied the elders of Jabesh, "and let us send messengers throughout Israel. If there is no one to deliver us, we will surrender to you."

But Saul ordered, "No one shall be put to death this day, for today the LORD has worked salvation in Israel."

Now present yourselves, that I may confront you before the LORD with all the righteous acts He has done for you and your fathers.

Then they cried out to the LORD and said, 'We have sinned, for we have forsaken the LORD and served the Baals and Ashtoreths. Now deliver us from the hands of our enemies, and we will serve You.'

Is it not the wheat harvest today? I will call on the LORD to send thunder and rain, so that you will know and see what a great evil you have committed in the sight of the LORD by asking for a king."

They pleaded with Samuel, "Pray to the LORD your God for your servants so that we will not die! For we have added to all our sins the evil of asking for a king."

Do not turn aside after worthless things that cannot profit you or deliver you, for they are empty.

Indeed, for the sake of His great name the LORD will not abandon His people, because He was pleased to make you His own.

As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by ceasing to pray for you. And I will continue to teach you the good and right way.