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Saul Meets Samuel


Some donkeys belonging to Kish had wandered off, so he said to Saul, “Take one of the servants with you and go and look for the donkeys.” They went through the hill country of Ephraim and the region of Shalishah, but did not find them; so they went on through the region of Shaalim, but the donkeys were not there. Then they went through the territory of Benjamin, but still did not find them. When they came into the region of Zuph, Saul said to his servant, “Let's go back home, or my father might stop thinking about the donkeys and start worrying about us.”








17 When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the Lord said to him, “This is the man I told you about. He will rule my people.” 18 Then Saul went over to Samuel, who was near the gate, and asked, “Tell me, where does the seer live?”

19 Samuel answered, “I am the seer. Go on ahead of me to the place of worship. Both of you are to eat with me today. Tomorrow morning I will answer all your questions and send you on your way. 20 As for the donkeys that were lost three days ago, don't worry about them; they have already been found. But who is it that the people of Israel want so much?[a] It is you—you and your father's family.”


22 Then Samuel led Saul and his servant into the large room and gave them a place at the head of the table where the guests, about thirty in all, were seated. 23 Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the piece of meat I gave you, which I told you to set aside.” 24 So the cook brought the choice piece of the leg and placed it before Saul. Samuel[b] said, “Look, here is the piece that was kept for you. Eat it. I saved it for you to eat at this time with the people I invited.”[c]

So Saul ate with Samuel that day. 25 When they went down from the place of worship to the town, they fixed up a bed for Saul[d] on the roof,[e] 26 and he slept there.[f]

Samuel Anoints Saul as Ruler



  1. 1 Samuel 9:20 who is it … much?; or who is to have the most desirable thing in Israel?
  2. 1 Samuel 9:24 Some ancient translations Samuel; Hebrew He (that is, the cook).
  3. 1 Samuel 9:24 Probable text I saved it … invited; Hebrew unclear.
  4. 1 Samuel 9:25 One ancient translation they fixed up a bed for Saul; Hebrew he spoke with Saul.
  5. 1 Samuel 9:25 At that time houses had flat roofs, and it was common for people to sleep on them.
  6. 1 Samuel 9:26 Some ancient translations and he slept there; Hebrew and they got up early.