Study Desk

There was an influential man of Benjamin named Kish^(a) son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, son of a Benjaminite.

He had a son named Saul, an impressive young man.^(b) There was no one more impressive among the Israelites than he. He stood a head taller than anyone else.^[a](c)

One day the donkeys of Saul's father Kish wandered off. Kish said to his son Saul, "Take one of the attendants with you and go look for the donkeys."

Saul and his attendant went through the hill country of Ephraim^(d) and then through the region of Shalishah,^(e) but they didn't find them. They went through the region of Shaalim^(f)—nothing. Then they went through the Benjaminite region but still didn't find them.

When they came to the land of Zuph,^(g) Saul said to the attendant who was with him, "Come on, let's go back, or my father will stop worrying about the donkeys and start worrying about us."^(h)

"Look," the attendant said, "there's a man of God⁽ⁱ⁾ in this city who is highly respected; everything he says is sure to come true.^(j) Let's go there now. Maybe he'll tell us which way we should go."^(k)

"Suppose we do go," Saul said to his attendant, "what do we take the man? The food from our packs is gone, and there's no gift to take to the man of God.^(l) What do we have?"

The attendant answered Saul: "Here, I have a piece^[b] of silver. I'll give it to the man of God, and he will tell us our way."

Formerly in Israel, a man who was going to inquire of God would say, "Come, let's go to the seer," for the prophet of today was formerly called the seer.^(m)

"Good," Saul replied to his attendant. "Come on, let's go." So they went to the city where the man of God was.

As they were climbing the hill to the city, they found some young women coming out to draw water⁽ⁿ⁾ and asked, "Is the seer here?"

The women answered, "Yes, he is ahead of you. Hurry, he just now came to the city, because there's a sacrifice^(o) for the people at the high place^(p) today.

If you go quickly, you can catch up with him before he goes to the high place to eat. The people won't eat until he comes because he must bless the sacrifice; after that, the guests can eat. Go up immediately—you can find him now."

So they went up toward the city. Saul and his attendant were entering the city when they saw Samuel coming toward them on his way to the high place.

Now the day before Saul's arrival, the Lord had informed Samuel,^[c](q)

"At this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him ruler over My people Israel.^(r) He will save them from the hand of the Philistines because I have seen the affliction of My people,^(s) for their cry has come to Me."

When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord told him, "Here is the man I told you about;^(t) he will rule over My people."

Saul approached Samuel in the gate area and asked, "Would you please tell me where the seer's house is?"

"I am the seer," Samuel answered.^[d] "Go up ahead of me to the high place and eat with me today. When I send you off in the morning, I'll tell you everything that's in your heart.

As for the donkeys that wandered away from you three days ago,^(u) don't worry about them because they've been found. And who does all Israel desire^(v) but you and all your father's family?"

Saul responded, "Am I not a Benjaminite^(w) from the smallest of Israel's tribes and isn't my clan the least important of all the clans of the Benjaminite tribe?^(x) So why have you said something like this to me?"

Samuel took Saul and his attendant, brought them to the banquet hall, and gave them a place at the head of the 30^[e] or so men who had been invited.

Then Samuel said to the cook, "Get the portion of meat that I gave you and told you to set aside."

The cook picked up the thigh^(y) and what was attached to it and set it before Saul. Then Samuel said, "Notice that the reserved piece is set before you. Eat it because it was saved for you for this solemn event at the time I said, ‘I've invited the people.'" So Saul ate with Samuel that day.

Afterward, they went down from the high place to the city, and Samuel spoke with Saul on the roof.^[f](z)

They got up early, and just before dawn, Samuel called to Saul on the roof, "Get up, and I'll send you on your way!" Saul got up, and both he and Samuel went outside.

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

Samuel took the flask of oil,^(a) poured it out on Saul's head,^(b) kissed him, and said, "Hasn't the Lord anointed you^(c) ruler over His inheritance?^[a](d)

Today when you leave me, you'll find two men at Rachel's Grave^(e) at Zelzah in the land of Benjamin. They will say to you, ‘The donkeys you went looking for have been found,^(f) and now your father has stopped being concerned about the donkeys and is worried about you, asking: What should I do about my son?'

"You will proceed from there until you come to the oak of Tabor.^(g) Three men going up to God at Bethel^(h) will meet you there, one bringing three goats, one bringing three loaves of bread, and one bringing a skin of wine.

They will ask how you are and give you two loaves^[b] of bread, which you will accept from them.

"After that you will come to the Hill of God^[c](i) where there are Philistine garrisons.^[d] When you arrive at the city, you will meet a group of prophets^(j) coming down from the high place prophesying.^(k) They will be preceded by harps, tambourines, flutes, and lyres.

The Spirit of the Lord will control you,^(l) you will prophesy with them,^(m) and you will be transformed into a different person.⁽ⁿ⁾

When these signs have happened to you, do whatever your circumstances require^[e](o) because God is with you.

Afterward, go ahead of me to Gilgal. I will come to you to offer burnt offerings and to sacrifice fellowship offerings. Wait seven days until I come to you and show you what to do."

When Saul turned around^[f] to leave Samuel, God changed his heart,^[g] and all the signs came about that day.

When Saul and his attendant arrived at Gibeah, a group of prophets met him. Then the Spirit of God took control of him, and he prophesied along with them.

Everyone who knew him previously and saw him prophesy with the prophets asked each other, "What has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?"^(p)

Then a man who was from there asked, "And who is their father?"^(q) As a result, "Is Saul also among the prophets?" became a popular saying.

Then Saul finished prophesying and went to the high place.

Saul's uncle^(r) asked him and his attendant, "Where did you go?" "To look for the donkeys," Saul answered. "When we saw they weren't there, we went to Samuel."^(s)

"Tell me," Saul's uncle asked, "what did Samuel say to you?"

Saul told him, "He assured us the donkeys had been found." However, Saul did not tell him what Samuel had said about the matter of kingship.