1Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Bechorath, son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power. 2And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and handsome; and there was not a more handsome person among the Israelites than he; from his shoulders and upward he was taller than any of the people. 3And when the donkeys of Kish, Saul's father, were lost, Kish told Saul, “Take one of the servants with you, and go look for the donkeys.” 4And he passed through Mount Ephraim, and the land of Shalisha, but they did not find them. Then they went through the land of Shaalim, and they were not there, either; and then went through the land of the Benjamites, but still did not find them. 5And when they had reached the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant, “Come, and let us return; before my father stops caring about the donkeys, and becomes anxious for us.” 6And his servant said to him, “There is a highly regarded man of God in this city; all that he says comes true. Let us go there; perhaps he can tell us where we should go.” 7Then Saul said to his servant, “But if we go, what can we offer the man? For the bread in our packs is depleted, and we have no present to bring to this man of God. What else do we have?” 8And the servant answered, “Look, I have a fourth of a shekel of silver; I will give that to the man of God, to tell us our way.” 9(Previously in Israel, when a man went to enquire of God, he spoke thusly, “Come, and let us go to the seer”; for what is now called a “Prophet” was formerly called a “Seer.”) 10Then Saul said to his servant, “Well said; come, let us go.” So they went to the city where the man of God was.

11And as they climbed the hill to the city, they found young maidens going out to draw water, and they asked them, “Is the seer here?” 12And they replied, “He is; he is just ahead of you. Hurry, for he came here to this city today; for the people to make a sacrifice in the high place. 13As soon as you enter the city, you shall find him, before he goes up to the high place to eat; for the people will not eat until he comes, because he blesses the sacrifice; and afterwards, those that are invited eat. Now get up there; for about this time you shall find him.” 14And they went up into the city; and as they entered the city, Samuel was coming toward them, on his way to the high place.

15Now the LORD had told Samuel a day before that Saul was coming, saying, 16“Tomorrow about this time, I will send you a man out of the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be ruler (king) over My people Israel, that he may save My people from the Philistines: for I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come up to Me.” 17And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said to him, “This is the man whom I spoke to you of! This same man shall reign over My people.”

18Then Saul approached Samuel in the gate, and said, “Tell me, I pray you, where the seer's house is.” 19And Samuel replied to Saul, “I am the seer: go up before me to the high place; for you shall eat with me today; and tomorrow I will let you go, and will tell you all that is in your heart. 20And as for your donkeys that were lost three days ago, do not worry about them; they have been found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel turned? Is it not on you, and on all your father's house?” 21And Saul answered, “Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? And my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? Why, then, do you speak this way to me?” 22And Samuel brought Saul and his servant into the parlor, and had them sit in the chief place among about thirty persons that were invited. 23And Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the portion which I gave you, of which I said, ‘Set it aside by you.’” 24And the cook took up the shoulder, and all that was on it, and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, “Here is what has been kept for you,” And he set it before him and said, “Eat, for it has been saved for you all this time since I said, ‘I have invited guests.’” And so Saul ate with Samuel that day. 25And when they had come down from the high place into the city, Samuel talked with Saul on the rooftop of the house. 26And they arose early, about dawn; and Samuel called Saul to the top of the house, saying, “Get ready, so that I may send you on your way.” And Saul arose, and both he and Samuel went outside together. 27And as they were going down toward the edge of the city, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell your servant go on ahead of us, but you stay here for a while, so that I may tell you a word from God.”