1Sa 9 | ABEn | STEP | And there was a man from the sons of Benjamin, and his name was Kish, son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Bechorath, son of Aphiah, son of a man of Benjamin, [ 2 man 1 a mighty] in strength.

‏ 1 Samuel 9

CHAPTER 9 The LORD Sends Saul to Samuel

1 And there was a man from the sons of Benjamin, and his name was Kish, son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Bechorath, son of Aphiah, son of a man of Benjamin, [²man ¹a mighty] in strength. 2 And to this one was a son, and his name was Saul, a huge [²man ¹goodly], and there was not among the sons of Israel one good above him. He was head and shoulders and [²above ¹high] over all the land. 3 And [⁶were lost ¹the ²donkeys ³of Kish ⁴the ⁵father ⁶of Saul]. And Kish said to Saul his son, Take with yourself one of the servant-lads, and rise up and go and seek the donkeys! 4 And they went through mount Ephraim. And they went through the land of Shalitha, and they did not find. And they went through the land of Shalim, and it was not. And they went through the land of Benjamin, and they did not find. 5 And of their coming unto Zuph, and Saul said to his servant-lad with him, Come, for we should return, lest [²sparing ¹my father] concerning the donkeys, should be thoughtful concerning us. 6 And [³said ⁴to him ¹the ²servant-lad], Behold, indeed a man of God is in this city, and the man is honorable, all what ever he should speak, coming shall be at hand. And now, we should go there, so that he should report to us our way, upon which we should go upon it. 7 And Saul said to his servant-lad with him, Yes, behold, we shall go. But what shall we carry in to the man of God, for the bread loaves have failed from out of our containers, and [²much ¹there is not] with us to carry to the man of God that exists to us? 8 And [³proceeded ¹the ²servant-lad] to answer Saul, and said, Behold, there is found in my hand a fourth shekel of silver; and you shall give it to the man of God, and he shall report to us our way. 9 And before in Israel, thus said each man in their going to ask God, Come, and we should go to the seer. For the prophet was called by the people before, The Seer. 10 And Saul said to his servant-lad, [²is good ¹your word]. Come, for we should go. And they went into the city of which was there the man, the one of God. 11 In their ascending the ascent of the city, and they found young women going forth to draw water. And they say to them, Is there here the seer? 12 And [³answered ¹the ²young women] them, and they said, He is, behold, in front of you. Hasten! For now he comes into the city, because of the day, for a sacrifice today for the people in Bama. 13 As soon as you enter into the city, thus you shall find him in the city, before his ascending unto Bama to eat; for in no way should [³eat ¹the ²people] until his entering. For this one blesses the sacrifice. And after these things [³eat ¹the ²strangers]. And now, ascend! for on account of the day you shall find him. 14 And they ascend into the city. And they were entering in the midst of the city, and behold, Samuel came forth for the meeting them, to ascend unto Bama. 15 And the lord uncovered the ear of Samuel [²day ¹one] before [²came ³to ⁴him ¹Saul], saying, 16 At this time tomorrow I will send to you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him for ruler over my people Israel, and he shall deliver my people from the hand of the Philistines. For I looked upon the humiliation of my people, for [²came ¹their yelling] to me. 17 And Samuel beheld Saul, and the lord answered him, Behold, the man whom I said to you, This one shall rule over my people. 18 And Saul came to Samuel in the midst of the city, and he said, Report indeed to me, of what house is the seer? 19 And Samuel answered Saul, and said, I am he. Ascend before me unto Bama, and eat with me today! and I will send you in the morning, and all the things in your heart I will report to you. 20 And concerning the donkeys being lost to you today for three days, you should not put your heart to them, for they are found. And what are the beautiful things of Israel? Is it not to you, and to all the house of your father? 21 And Saul answered and said, [²not ³a man ⁴a son ⁵of a Benjamite ¹Am I], of the lesser chiefdom of the tribes of Israel? And my family least of all the families of Benjamin? And why have you spoken to me concerning this thing? 22 And Samuel took Saul and his servant-lad, and he brought them into the lodging, and set for them a place among the foremost of the ones being called -- about thirty men. 23 And Samuel said to the cook, Give to me the portion which I gave to you, which I told you to put it by you. 24 And [³took ¹the ²cook] the hind quarter, and the part upon it, and placed it before Saul. And Samuel said to Saul, Behold, the leftover; place it before you, and eat! For as a testimony it is placed for you over the people -- pull it off! And Saul ate with Samuel in that day. 25 And he went down from Bama into the city. And they spread carpets for Saul upon the roof, and he went to bed. 26 And it came to pass as [³ascended ¹the ²dawn], that Samuel called to Saul upon the roof, saying, Rise up! and I shall send you out. And Saul rose up, and [⁴went forth ¹he ²and ³Samuel] unto outside. 27 And as they were going down into the uttermost part of the city, that Samuel said to Saul, Speak to the young man, and let him go through in front of us! And you stand here today, and hear the word of God!