1And there was a man (ish) of Benjamin, and his name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of a man (ish), a Benjamite, a mighty man of valor.
2And he had a son, and his name was Saul, a young man and good; and there was not a man (ish) among the sons of Israel better than he; from his shoulders and upward he was taller than all the people.
3And the donkeys of Kish, Saul's father, were lost. And Kish said to Saul his son: "Take now with you one of the servants, and arise, go, seek the donkeys."
4And he passed through the hill country of Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find them; and they passed through the land of Shaalim, but there were none; and he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they did not find them.
5They had come into the land of Zuph, and Saul said to his servant who was with him: "Come, and let us return, lest my father cease from the donkeys and be anxious for us."
6And he said to him: "Behold now, a man (ish) of God is in this city, and the man (ish) is honored; all that he speaks surely comes to pass; now let us go there; perhaps he will tell us our way on which we have gone."
7And Saul said to his servant: "But behold, if we go, what shall we bring to the man (ish)? for the bread is gone from our vessels, and there is no present to bring to the man (ish) of God; what is with us?"
8And the servant answered Saul again, and said: "Behold, there is found in my hand a fourth of a shekel of silver, and I will give it to the man (ish) of God, and he will tell us our way."
9(In former times in Israel, thus said a man (ish) when he went to inquire of God: "Come and let us go to the seer"; for the prophet of today was formerly called the seer.)
10And Saul said to his servant: "Your word is good; come, let us go." So they went to the city where the man (ish) of God was.
11They were going up the ascent to the city, and they found young women going out to draw water, and they said to them: "Is the seer here?"
12And they answered them and said: "He is; behold, he is before you; hurry now, for today he has come to the city, because the people have a sacrifice today in the high place.
13As you come into the city, so 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 invited eat. And now go up, for at this time you will find him."
14And they went up to the city. As they were coming into the midst of the city, behold, Samuel was coming out toward them, to go up to the high place.
15Now YHWH had uncovered the ear of Samuel one day before Saul came, saying:
16"About this time tomorrow I will send to you a man (ish) from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him as leader over My people Israel, and he will save (yasha) My people from the hand of the Philistines; for I have seen My people, because their cry has come to Me."
17And Samuel saw Saul, and YHWH answered him: "Behold the man (ish) of whom I said to you: This one shall rule over My people."
18And Saul drew near to Samuel in the midst of the gate, and said: "Tell me, please, where is the house of the seer?"
19And Samuel answered Saul and said: "I am the seer; go up before me 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 tell you.
20And as for the donkeys that were lost to you three days ago, do not set your heart on them, for they are found. And to whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not to you, and to all your father's house?"
21And Saul answered and said: "Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribes of Benjamin? Why then have you spoken to me according to this word?"
22And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the chamber, and gave them a place at the head of those who were invited; and they were about thirty men (ish).
23And Samuel said to the cook: "Give the portion which I gave you, of which I said to you: Set it beside you."
24And the cook took up the thigh and what was on it, and set it before Saul. And he said: "Behold what is left! set it before you, eat; for to the appointed time (moed) it has been kept for you, saying: I have invited the people." So Saul ate with Samuel on that day.
25And they came down from the high place into the city, and he spoke with Saul on the roof.
26And they arose early; and it came to pass at the rising of the dawn, that Samuel called to Saul on the roof, saying: "Arise, and I will send you away." And Saul arose, and the two of them went out, he and Samuel, outside.
27As they were going down at the edge of the city, Samuel said to Saul: "Say to the servant that he pass on before us" — and he passed on — "but you, stand still at this time, that I may cause you to hear the word of God."