1
And there was an ish from Binyamin, and his name was Qish son of Aviel, son of Tzeror, son of Bekhorat, son of Afiach, son of an ish of Binyamin, a mighty ish of strength.
2
And he had a son, and his name was Shaul, a choice and good young man. And there was not an ish among the sons of Yisra’el more good than he; from his shoulders upward he was higher than all the people.
3
And the donkeys of Qish, father of Shaul, were lost. And Qish said to Shaul his son, “Take now with you one of the young men, and rise, go seek the donkeys.”
4
And he passed through the hill country of Efrayim, and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find them. And they passed through the land of Shaalim, but they were not there. And he passed through the land of the Binyamini, but they did not find them.
5
They came to the land of Tzuf, and Shaul said to his young man who was with him, “Come, and let us return, lest my father cease from the donkeys and become anxious for us.”
6
And he said to him, “See now, an ish of Elohim is in this city, and the ish is honored; all that he says surely comes to pass. Now let us go there. Perhaps he will declare to us our way upon which we should go.”
7
And Shaul said to his young man, “But see, if we go, what shall we bring to the ish? For the bread is gone from our vessels, and there is no gift to bring to the ish of Elohim. What is with us?”
8
And the young man answered Shaul again and said, “See, there is found in my hand a quarter of a sheqel of silver, and I will give it to the ish of Elohim, and he will declare to us our way.”
9
Formerly in Yisra’el, thus an ish would say when he went to inquire of Elohim: “Come, and let us go to the seer.” For the prophet of today was formerly called the seer.
10
And Shaul said to his young man, “Your word is good. Come, let us go.” And they went to the city where the ish of Elohim was.
11
As they were going up the ascent to the city, they found young women going out to draw water, and they said to them, “Is the seer here?”
12
And they answered them and said, “He is. See, he is before your face. Hurry now, for today he came to the city, because the people have a sacrifice today at the high place.
13
As you enter the city, you will 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; afterward those who are called will eat. And now go up, for about this time you will find him.”
14
And they went up to the city. As they came into the midst of the city, see, Shemu’el was coming out to meet them, to go up to the high place.
15
And Yahuah had uncovered the ear of Shemu’el one day before Shaul came, saying,
16
“About this time tomorrow I will send to you an ish from the land of Binyamin, and you shall anoint him as ruler over My people Yisra’el, and he shall save My people from the hand of the Pelishtim. For I have seen My people, because their cry has come to Me.”
17
And Shemu’el saw Shaul, and Yahuah answered him, “See, the ish of whom I spoke to you. This one shall restrain My people.”
18
And Shaul drew near to Shemu’el in the midst of the gate and said, “Please declare to me where the house of the seer is.”
19
And Shemu’el answered Shaul and said, “I am the seer. Go up before my face to the high place, and you shall eat with me today. And in the morning I will send you away, and all that is in your heart I will declare to you.
20
And concerning the donkeys that were lost to you three days ago, do not set your heart upon them, for they have been found. And to whom belongs all the desire of Yisra’el? Is it not to you and to all the house of your father?”
21
And Shaul answered and said, “Am I not a Binyamini, from the smallest of the tribes of Yisra’el, and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Binyamin? And why have you spoken to me according to this word?”
22
And Shemu’el took Shaul and his young man and brought them into the chamber, and gave them a place at the head of those who were called, and they were about thirty ish.
23
And Shemu’el said to the cook, “Give the portion that I gave to you, concerning which I said to you, ‘Set it beside you.’”
24
And the cook lifted up the thigh and what was upon it and placed it before Shaul. And he said, “See, what was kept is set before your face. Eat, for it was kept for you until the appointed time, from when I said, ‘I have called the people.’” And Shaul ate with Shemu’el on that day.
25
And they came down from the high place into the city, and he spoke with Shaul upon the roof.
26
And they rose early. And it came to pass, at the rising of dawn, that Shemu’el called to Shaul upon the roof, saying, “Rise, and I will send you away.” And Shaul rose, and the two of them went outside, he and Shemu’el.
27
As they were going down to the edge of the city, Shemu’el said to Shaul, “Say to the young man that he pass before us.” And he passed on. “And you, stand now, that I may cause you to hear the word of Elohim.”