1 Samuel Chapter 9

1 Samuel Chapter 9
1 There was now a man of Benjamin,
mighty in power named Kish the son of
Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of
Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of
a man of Jemini.
2 And he had a son called Saul, a goodly
young man and a fair: so that among the
children of Israel there was none
goodlier than he: from the shoulders
upward he was higher than any of the
people.
3 And the asses of Kish Saul’s father
were lost: therefore Kish said to Saul
his son, Take now one of the servants
with thee, and arise, go, and seek the
asses.
4 So he passed through mount Ephraim,
and went through the land of Shalishah,
but they found them not. Then they went
through the land of Shalim, and there
they were not: he went also through the
land of Jemini, but they found them not.
5 When they came to the land of Zuph,
Saul said unto his servant that was with
him, Come and let us return, lest my
father leave the care of asses, and take
thought for us.
6 And he said unto him, Behold now, in
this city is a man of God, and he is an
honorable man: all that he saith cometh
to pass: let us now go thither, if so be
that he can show us what way we may
go.
7 Then said Saul to his servant, Well
then, let us go: but what shall we bring
unto the man? For the bread is spent in
our vessels, and there is no present to
bring to the man of God: what have we?
8 And the servant answered Saul again,
and said, Behold, I have found about me
the fourth part of a shekel of silver: that
will I give the man of God, to tell us our
way.
9 (Beforetime in Israel when a man went
to seek an answer of God, thus he spake,
Come, and let us go to the seer: for he
that is called now a Prophet, was in the
old time called a Seer)
10 Then said Saul to his servant, Well
said, come, let us go: so they went into
the city where the man of God was.
11 And as they were going up the
highway to the city, they found maids
that came out to draw water, and said
unto them, Is there here a seer?
12 And they answered them, and said,
Yea: lo, he is before you: make haste
now, for he came this day to the city: for
there is an offering of the people this day
in the high place.
13 When ye shall come into the city, ye
shall find him straightway yet he come
up to the high place to eat: for the people
will not eat until he come, because he
will bless the sacrifice: and then eat they
that be bidden to the feast: now therefore
go up: for even now shall ye find him.
14 Then they went up into the city, and
when they were come into the midst of
the city, Samuel came out against them,
to go up to the high place. 15 But the
Lord had revealed to Samuel secretly (a
day before Saul came) saying,
16 Tomorrow about this time I will send
thee a man out of the land of Benjamin:
him shalt thou anoint to be governor over
my people Israel, that he may save my
people out of the hands of the
Philistines: for I have looked upon my
people, and their cry is come unto me.
17 When Samuel therefore saw Saul, the
Lord answered him, See, this is the man
whom I spake to thee of, he shall rule my
people.
18 Then went Saul to Samuel in the
midst of the gate, and said, Tell me, I
pray thee, where the seer’s house is.
19 And Samuel answered Saul, and said,
I am the seer: go up before me unto the
high place: for ye shall eat with me
today, and tomorrow I will let thee go,
and will tell thee all that is in thine
heart.
20 And as for thine asses that were lost
three days ago, care not for them: for
they are found. and on whom is set all
the desire of Israel? Is it not upon thee
and on all thy father’s house?
21 But Saul answered, and said, Am not
I the son of Jemini of the smallest tribe
of Israel? And my family is the least of
all the families of the tribe of Benjamin.
Wherefore then speakest thou so to me?
22 And Samuel took Saul and his
servant, and brought them into the
chamber, and made them sit in the
chiefest place among them that were
bidden: which were about thirty persons.
23 And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring
forth the portion which I gave thee, and
whereof I said unto thee, Keep it with
thee.
24 And the cook took up the shoulder,
and that which was upon it, and set it
before Saul. And Samuel said, Behold,
that which is left, set it before thee and
eat: for hitherto hath it been kept for
thee, saying, Also I have called the
people. So Saul did eat with Samuel that
day.
25 And when they were come down
from the high place into the city, he
communed with Saul upon the top of the
house.
26 And when they arose early about the
spring of the day, Samuel called Saul to
the top of the house, saying, Up, that I
may send thee away. And Saul arose,
and they went out, both he, and Samuel.
27 And when they were come down to
the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul,
Bid the servant go before us, (and he
went) but stand thou still now, that I may
show thee the word of God.