Saul Is Chosen as King

Saul, the son of Kish from the tribe of Benjamin, was sent with a servant to look for his father’s lost donkeys. They travelled through several regions but could not find them. When Saul wanted to turn back, the servant suggested asking the honoured man of God in a nearby city for help.

As they went up to the city, they met young women going out to draw water. The women said the seer had just come and could be found that day. Before Saul arrived, the Lord had already told Samuel that a man from Benjamin would come, and Samuel was to anoint him as prince over Israel.

Saul asked where the seer was, and Samuel said that he himself was the seer. He told Saul the donkeys had been found and gave Saul and his servant places of honour at the meal. A special portion had been kept aside for Saul. Saul was surprised, because he came from a small tribe and a lowly family in Benjamin.

The next morning Samuel sent the servant ahead, then poured oil on Saul and anointed him. Samuel told him signs that would happen that day: news about the donkeys, a gift of bread, and a meeting with prophets. God gave Saul another heart, and the signs happened. The Spirit of God came powerfully on Saul, and he prophesied among them.

Later Samuel gathered Israel at Mizpah and reminded them that they had asked for a king, even though God had rescued them. Tribe by tribe and family by family, Saul was chosen. He had hidden among the baggage, but the people brought him out. Samuel said the Lord had chosen him, and the people shouted for the king. Samuel also wrote the rights and duties of the kingdom in a book. Some went with Saul, while others despised him, and Saul said nothing.