Now there was vvv a Benjamite , a powerful man ... ... , whose name was Kish son of Abiel , the son of Zeror , the son of Becorath , the son of Aphiah - - of Benjamin.
he had a son named Saul , choice and handsome , without equal ... ... among the Israelites ... — a head ... taller than any of the people.
One day the donkeys of Saul’s father Kish wandered off , and Kish said to his son Saul , “ Take ... one of the servants ... - - and go look for - the donkeys.”
So (Saul) passed through the hill country of Ephraim and then through the land of Shalishah , but did not find (the donkeys). (He and the servant) went through the region of Shaalim , but (they were) not (there). ... Then they went through the land of Benjamin , and still they did not find them.
When they reached the land of Zuph , Saul said to his servant - - , “ Come , let us go back , or my father will stop (worrying) about the donkeys and start worrying
“ Look , ” ... said the servant “ in this city there is a man of God who is highly respected ; everything - he says surely comes to pass. Let us go there now. Perhaps he will tell - which way to go ....”
“ If we do go , ” Saul replied - , “ what can we give the man ? For the bread in our packs is gone , and there is no gift to take to the man of God. What do we have ?”
The servant answered - (him) again. “ Look , ” he said , “ I have here in my hand a quarter shekel of silver. I will give it to the man of God , and he will tell - our way.”
( 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.
And as they were climbing the hill to the city , they met some young women coming out to draw water and asked “ Is the seer here ... ? ”
“ 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 -.
As soon as you enter the city , vvv you will find him before he goes up to the high place to eat. - The people will not eat until he comes , because he must bless the sacrifice ; after that , ... the guests ... will eat. Go up ... - at once ; you will find him.”
So Saul and his servant went up toward the city , and as they were entering ... it , there was Samuel coming toward them on his way up to the high place.
Now on the day ... before Saul’s ... arrival , the LORD had revealed - - to Samuel ,
“ 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 save - them from the hand of the Philistines. For I have looked upon - My people , because their cry has come to Me.”
When Samuel saw - Saul , the LORD told him , “ Here is the man of whom I spoke ... ; he shall rule over My people.”
Saul - approached Samuel in the gateway and asked , “ Would you please tell where - the seer’s house (is) ? ”
“ 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 all that is in your heart.
As for the donkeys you lost three days ago , do not worry - - for they have been found. And upon whom (is) all the desire of Israel , if not and all your father’s house ? ”
Saul ... replied , “ Am I not vvv a Benjamite from the smallest tribe of Israel , and is not my clan the least of all the clans of Benjamin - ? So why would you say such a thing ... to me ?”
Then Samuel - took Saul and his servant , brought them into the hall , and seated in the place of honor among those who were invited ... — about thirty in all.
And Samuel said to the cook , “ Bring - the portion - I gave - and told ... you to set - aside.”
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 this occasion , from the time I said , ‘ I have invited the people. ’” So Saul dined with Samuel that day.
And after they had come down from the high place into the city , Samuel spoke with Saul on the roof of his house.
They got up early in the morning , ... and just before dawn Samuel called to Saul on the roof , ... “ Get ready , and I will send you on your way ! ” So Saul arose , and both he and Samuel went outside together.
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.