1There was a Benjamite man named Kish, the son of Abiel, grandson of Zeror, great-grandson of Becorath, and great-great-grandson of Aphiah — a man of outstanding ability.
2He had a son named Saul — an impressive young man with no equal among the Israelites. He stood head and shoulders taller than everyone else.
3One day Kish's donkeys wandered off. Kish told his son Saul, 'Take one of the servants with you and go look for the donkeys.'
4They searched through the hill country of Ephraim, then through the region of Shalisha, but found nothing. They went through the region of Shaalim — still nothing. Then through Benjamin's territory — but no donkeys.
5When they reached the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant, 'Let's turn back. By now my father won't be worrying about the donkeys anymore — he'll be worrying about us.'
6But his servant replied, 'Wait — there is a man of God in this town, and he is highly respected. Everything he says comes true. Let's go see him. Maybe he can tell us which way to go.'
7Saul said, 'But if we go, what can we bring him? The food in our bags is gone, and we have no gift to offer the man of God. What do we have?'
8The servant replied, 'I happen to have a quarter shekel of silver. I'll give it to the man of God and he'll tell us which way to go.'
9(In earlier times in Israel, when someone wanted to inquire of God, they would say, 'Let's go to the seer,' for what is now called a prophet was formerly called a seer.)
10'Good idea,' Saul told his servant. 'Let's go.' So they set off toward the town where the man of God lived.
11As they were climbing the hill toward the town, they met some young women coming out to draw water and asked them, 'Is the seer here?'
12The women answered, 'Yes, he's just ahead of you. Hurry — he just arrived in town today because the people have a sacrifice at the high place.'
13'Go right into town and you will find him before he goes up to the high place to eat. The people won't begin eating until he arrives, since he must bless the sacrifice first. After that, the invited guests eat. Go now — you should find him shortly.'
14So they went up into town, and as they entered the gate, Samuel was coming out toward them on his way to the high place.
15The day before Saul arrived, the LORD had spoken directly to Samuel:
16'Tomorrow at this time I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him as ruler over my people Israel. He will rescue them from the Philistines, for I have seen my people's suffering and heard their cry.'
17When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said, 'This is the man I told you about — he will govern my people.'
18Saul came up to Samuel at the gate and asked, 'Excuse me — could you tell me where the seer's house is?'
19Samuel answered, 'I am the seer. Come up to the high place with me, and eat with me today. Tomorrow morning I will send you on your way and will tell you everything that is on your mind.'
20'As for those donkeys that went missing three days ago, don't worry about them — they've been found. And who is it that all Israel truly desires? It is you and your father's family.'
21Saul replied, 'But I'm from the tribe of Benjamin — the smallest tribe in Israel. And my family is the least important of all the Benjaminite clans. Why are you saying such things to me?'
22Samuel brought Saul and his servant into the dining hall and seated them at the head of the table among the thirty or so invited guests.
23Samuel told the cook, 'Bring the portion I set aside and told you to keep.'
24The cook brought out the thigh and set it before Saul. Samuel said, 'This piece was saved for you. Eat, for it was set aside for this occasion when I invited the people.' So Saul ate with Samuel that day.
25After they came down from the high place into the town, Samuel talked with Saul on the roof.
26At dawn Samuel called to Saul on the roof, 'Get up — it's time for me to send you on your way.' Saul got up, and both he and Samuel went outside.
27As they were walking to the edge of town, Samuel said to Saul, 'Tell your servant to go on ahead,' and the servant did. Then Samuel said, 'Stay here for a moment, and I will share with you a word from God.'