The First Book of Samuel (WEB)
9:1 Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror,
the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of a Benjamite, a mighty man of valor. 9:2He had a
son, whose name was Saul, a young man and a goodly: and there was not among the children of
Israel a better person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the
people. 9:3The donkeys of Kish, Saul's father, were lost. Kish said to Saul his son, Take now one of
the servants with you, and arise, go seek the donkeys. 9:4He passed through the hill-country of
Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they didn't find them: then they passed
through the land of Shaalim, and there they weren't there: and he passed through the land of the
Benjamites, but they didn't find them. 9:5When they had come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his
servant who was with him, Come, and let us return, lest my father leave off caring for the
donkeys, and be anxious for us. 9:6He said to him, See now, there is in this city a man of God, and
he is a man who is held in honor; all that he says comes surely to pass: now let us go there;
peradventure he can tell us concerning our journey whereon we go. 9:7Then said Saul to his
servant, But, behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels,
and there is not a present to bring to the man of God: what have we? 9:8The servant answered Saul
again, and said, Behold, I have in my hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver: that will I give to
the man of God, to tell us our way. 9:9(In earlier times in Israel, when a man went to inquire of
God, thus he said, Come, and let us go to the seer; for he who is now called a Prophet was before
called a Seer.) 9:10Then said Saul to his servant, Well said; come, let us go. So they went to the city
where the man of God was. 9:11As they went up the ascent to the city, they found young maidens
going out to draw water, and said to them, Is the seer here? 9:12They answered them, and said, He
is; behold, he is before you: make haste now, for he is come today into the city; for the people
have a sacrifice today in the high place: 9:13as soon as you are come into the city, you shall
immediately find him, before he goes up to the high place to eat; for the people will not eat until
he come, because he does bless the sacrifice; and afterwards they eat who are invited. Now
therefore get you up; for at this time you shall find him. 9:14They went up to the city; and as they
came within the city, behold, Samuel came out toward them, to go up to the high place. 9:15Now
Yahweh had revealed to Samuel a day before Saul came, saying, 9:16Tomorrow about this time I
will send you a man out of the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over my
people Israel; and he shall save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked on
my people, because their cry is come to me. 9:17When Samuel saw Saul, Yahweh said to him,
Behold, the man of whom I spoke to you! this same shall have authority over my people. 9:18Then
Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, Please, where the seer's house is.
9:19Samuel answered Saul, and said, I am the seer; go up before me to the high place, for you shall
eat with me today: and in the morning I will let you go, and will tell you all that is in your heart.
9:20As for your donkeys who were lost three days ago, don't set your mind on them; for they are
found. For whom is all that is desirable in Israel? Is it not for you, and for all your father's house?
9:21Saul answered, Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the
least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? why then speak you to me after this manner?
9:22Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the guest-chamber, and made them sit
in the best place among those who were invited, who were about thirty persons. 9:23Samuel said to
the cook, Bring the portion which I gave you, of which I said to you, Set it by you. 9:24The cook
took up the thigh, and that which was on it, and set it before Saul. Samuel said, Behold, that
which has been reserved! set it before you and eat; because to the appointed time has it been kept
for you, for I said, I have invited the people. So Saul ate with Samuel that day. 9:25When they were
come down from the high place into the city, he talked with Saul on the housetop. 9:26They arose
early: and it happened about the spring of the day, that Samuel called to Saul on the housetop,
saying, Up, that I may send you away. Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel,
abroad. 9:27As they were going down at the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant
pass on before us (and he passed on), but stand you still first, that I may cause you to hear the
word of God.
World English Bible