撒母耳記上9章1-21節
撒母耳記上9章1-21節: 講義(龍漢泉弟兄)
撒母耳初次與掃羅相見
1. 掃羅尋驢（1-10）
9:1 有一個便雅憫人，名叫基士，是便雅憫人亞斐亞的玄孫，比歌拉的曾孫，洗羅的孫子，亞別（又名尼珥，代上8:33）的兒子，是個大能的勇士。
9:2 他有一個兒子，名叫掃羅，又健壯、又俊美，在以色列人中沒有一個能比他的；身體比眾民高過一頭。
9:3 掃羅的父親基士丟了幾頭驢，他就吩咐兒子掃羅說：「你帶一個僕人去尋找驢。」
9:4 掃羅就走過以法蓮山地，又過沙利沙地，都沒有找着；又過沙琳地，驢也不在那裏；又過便雅憫地，還沒有找着。
9:5 到了蘇弗地，掃羅對跟隨他的僕人說：「我們不如回去，恐怕我父親不為驢掛心，反為我們擔憂。」
9:6 僕人說：「這城裏有一位神人，是眾人所尊重的，凡他所說的全都應驗。我們不如往他那裏去，或者他能將我們當走的路指示我們。」
9:7 掃羅對僕人說：「我們若去，有甚麼可以送那人呢？我們囊中的食物都吃盡了，也沒有禮物可以送那神人，我們還有甚麼沒有？」
9:8 僕人回答掃羅說：「我手裏有銀子一舍客勒的四分之一（3 grams, less than 2 dollars today），可以送那神人，請他指示我們當走的路。」（
9:9 從前以色列中，若有人去問上帝，就說：「我們問先見去吧！」現在稱為「先知」的，從前稱為「先見」。）（異象與異夢，vision and dream）
9:10 掃羅對僕人說：「你說的是，我們可以去。」於是他們往神人所住的城裏去了。
1『大能的勇士』 掃羅作為以色列人第一任國王，在歷史上絕對具有重大的意義。也許這是為什麼第一節將他的祖先五代都列了出來。這五代人除了他父親基士以外，我們都不太清楚，但也是因為掃羅的關係我們才知道基士。他是一個大能的勇士（valiant mighty man），或是翻譯成大財主（a man of wealth），也可以翻成有名望的（a man of standing）。不論如何，他在便雅憫人當中，至少在他的本鄉基比亞（撒上11:4）當中，應該算是個名人。
2『又健壯（young）、又俊美；身體比眾民高過一頭』 如果基士只是有錢，本身不是勇士的話，那掃羅卻是當之無愧的勇士了。不僅因為他的身量高過眾民，也是因為他後來作為國王，帶領以色列人與敵人爭戰的表現（撒上11:11, 14:47-48,52）。
4-5『以法蓮山地，沙利沙地，沙琳地，便雅憫地，蘇弗地』 參末頁地圖。沙利沙地和沙琳地的確實地點已經無法考證，但這一次的尋驢之旅起碼走了將近100公里。這是3天裡面所走的路程（參20節），一天至少要走30公里。因為要尋找失驢，只能慢慢搜索，可以想像他們幾乎整天都在行路找驢。由此可見掃羅做事的態度：他負責的工作一定盡力去做，絕不偷懶。他當得起『忠心』的稱讚。
5『恐怕我父親不為驢掛心，反為我們擔憂』 掃羅在找驢的過程當中，雖然盡心竭力，卻仍然顧念自己的父親。他能夠體貼父親的心意，知道自己出門太久會引起父親的掛慮，因此打算結束這次的旅程。畢竟兒子比起驢子重要多了。由此可見掃羅也是一個孝順的兒子。有這樣的品格和心態，他可以算是是一位又良善，又忠心的人。可惜他後來連續犯錯，違背神的命令，沒有成為合神心意的人，以致王位失傳，自己和兒子也死於非命，真是一件非常可惜的事。
這裡提到掃羅幾代的祖先？他的家世如何？
他有那些特質？從哪裡可以看出來？
他有哪些優點我們可以效法的？
6-8『僕人說：這城裏有一位神人，是眾人所尊重的，凡他所說的全都應驗。』
『或者他能將我們當走的路指示我們』
『我手裏有銀子一舍客勒的四分之一，可以送那神人』
這位僕人有許多我們可學習的地方：
1、他注重屬靈的事情。他顯然很關注撒母耳的作為，知道他住在哪裡（這城裏），知道他是神所差來的，是像神的人（神人），知道他在百姓中的地位（眾人所尊重的），也知道他是一個真先知（凡他所說的全都應驗）。這一點連掃羅都比不上。
2、他願意尋求神的指示（將我們當走的路指示我們）。
3、他是忠心服事的僕人。他願意為掃羅將他所有的擺上（我手裏有銀子一舍客勒的四分之一，可以送那神人）。銀子一舍客勒的四分之一（3 grams, less than 2 dollars today）雖然不多，但從前後的敘述中可以看出這可能是他當時身上所有的錢財。
8『我們若去，有甚麼可以送那人呢？』 這也許是當時的習俗，但也是人之常情。我們拜訪尊敬的長輩，或是要去請一個不認識的名人幫忙的時候，不也是會帶著禮物上門嗎？
9『現在稱為「先知」的，從前稱為「先見seer」』 這個先見seer可能是來源於民數記12章的事件。當時摩西的姐姐哥哥米利暗和亞倫因他所娶的古實女子就毀謗他，並且挑戰說：難道耶和華單與摩西說話，不也與我們說話嗎？結果神向他們顯現，說：民12:6你們且聽我的話：你們中間若有先知，我耶和華必在異象中（vision）向他顯現，在夢中（dream）與他說話。從這裡可以看出，由於神是藉著異象與夢將他的話啟示給先知，換句話說，他們是在異象與夢中看見神，所以被稱為先見seer。
10『你說的是，我們可以去』 掃羅勇於接納僕人的意見，可見他不是一個剛愎自用，死要面子的人。從他與僕人的對話中也可以看見他們的關係很好，更像是朋友多於主僕。換句話說，他的脾氣似乎是很溫和而不嚴厲。
你覺得掃羅和他僕人的關係如何？他是怎樣的一個主人？
這個僕人如何描述撒母耳？這些描述對我們今天有什麼啟發？
這個僕人有什麼我們可以學習的地方？請一一述說。
為什麼先知又被稱為先見？今天一般人怎樣使用異象這個字？合宜嗎？
2. 掃羅與撒母耳相會（11-21）
9:11 他們上坡要進城，就遇見幾個少年女子出來打水，問她們說：「先見在這裏沒有？」
9:12 女子回答說：「在這裏，他在你們前面。快去吧！他今日正到城裏，因為今日百姓要在邱壇獻祭。
9:13 在他還沒有上邱壇吃祭物之先，你們一進城必遇見他；因他未到，百姓不能吃，必等他先祝祭，然後請的客才吃。現在你們上去，這時候必遇見他。」
9:14 二人就上去；將進城的時候，撒母耳正迎着他們來，要上邱壇去。
9:15 掃羅未到的前一日，耶和華已經指示撒母耳說：
9:16 「明日這時候，我必使一個人從便雅憫地到你這裏來，你要膏他作我民以色列的君。他必救我民脫離非利士人的手；因我民的哀聲上達於我，我就眷顧他們。」
9:17 撒母耳看見掃羅的時候，耶和華對他說：「看哪，這人就是我對你所說的，他必治理我的民。」
9:18 掃羅在城門裏走到撒母耳跟前，說：「請告訴我，先見的寓所在哪裏？」
9:19 撒母耳回答說：「我就是先見。你在我前面上邱壇去，因為你們今日必與我同席；明日早晨我送你去，將你心裏的事都告訴你。
9:20 至於你前三日所丟的那幾頭驢，你心裏不必掛念，已經找着了。以色列眾人所仰慕的是誰呢？不是仰慕你和你父的全家嗎？」
9:21 掃羅說：「我不是以色列支派中至小的便雅憫人嗎？我家不是便雅憫支派中至小的家嗎？你為何對我說這樣的話呢？」
11『上坡要進城…少年女子出來打水』
這城應該就是拉瑪瑣非，是撒母耳的家鄉（撒上1:1），建造在一座小山上。當時掃羅他們到了蘇弗地。蘇弗和瑣非，是同一個古字兩種不同的譯法，所以蘇弗地即是以拉瑪城為中心的一個地區。當時打水的似乎都是女子（參創24:15利百加，出2:16米甸祭司的女兒），顯出當時的女子並非是弱不禁風的千金小姐。甚至今天的以色列也是全民皆兵，女子也要服兵役。打水一般是在比較涼快的黃昏時分，所以掃羅他們到了拉瑪的時候已經是傍晚了。
12『他今日正到城裏』
撒母耳是當時的士師，經常巡行不同的地方審判以色列人。而掃羅他們到了拉瑪的時候，撒母耳剛好回來，不能不說是神的安排。參撒上7:15-17撒母耳平生作以色列的士師。他每年巡行到伯特利、吉甲、米斯巴，在這幾處審判以色列人。隨後回到拉瑪，因為他的家在那裏；也在那裏審判以色列人，且為耶和華築了一座壇。
『邱壇獻祭』
邱壇（high place）就是他們獻祭的地方。他們應該是獻的平安祭，所以可以一起享用。撒母耳在拉瑪為耶和華築了一座壇，他們就在這壇上獻祭。由於在大衛之前，神還沒有啟示他的殿要建在何處，所以以色列人常常在不同的地方築壇獻祭，如亞伯拉罕、以撒、雅各。又如撒上6:15 利未人將耶和華的約櫃和裝金物的匣子拿下來，放在大磐石上。當日伯示麥人將燔祭和平安祭獻給耶和華。
掃羅到了什麼城？是誰的家鄉？
丘壇在哪裡？撒母耳在哪裡築了一座壇？百姓為什麼在丘壇獻祭？
神如何安排掃羅與撒母耳會面？你能夠體會到神的全知全能嗎？
13『你們一進城必遇見他』
意即這個時候正是撒母耳要去丘壇的時候，可見神安排的時間總是剛剛好。
14『將進城的時候，撒母耳正迎着他們來，要上邱壇去』
掃羅他們要進城，而撒母耳卻是要出城去丘壇，結果就在城門口遇見了（參18節）。這也說明丘壇是在城外，百姓在丘壇那裡吃祭物（晚餐）。
16-17『你要膏他作我民以色列的君，他必救我民脫離非利士人的手…他必治理我的民』
神雖然不喜悅以色列人求立王，但他仍然眷顧他的子民，還是為他們立一個王來治理他們，並拯救他們脫離非利士人的手。這是以色列的第一個王，從此立下了君主制的雛形，一直到基督最後作萬王之王，萬主之主。
19『因為你們今日必與我同席』
換句話說，撒母耳抬舉掃羅，正式邀請掃羅他們成為他的客人，參與這次獻祭的筵席。以撒母耳的身份，等於是一個君王邀請一個年輕人作為他的座上客，這是何等的榮耀。今天神也邀請所有的人參與將來他兒子的婚宴，被邀請的人又是何等的有福呢！
20『以色列眾人…不是仰慕你和你父的全家嗎？』
掃羅現在還是一個默默無聞的年輕人，自然談不上被以色列眾人仰慕。以色列人所仰慕的乃是一位能夠帶領他們戰勝仇敵的國王，而這位未來的國王即將被撒母耳將橄欖油膏抹在他頭上立為以色列的君，成為以色列人所仰慕的對象。
21『我不是以色列支派中至小的便雅憫人嗎？』
在士師時代初期曾經發生了一件大事，就是便雅憫人在基比亞所行的惡事，遭致整個以色列人的討伐，結果便雅憫支派差點滅絕，只剩下6百人。（參士19-21章）因此後來的便雅憫人都是這6百人的後裔，的確可以稱之為以色列支派中至小的。
『我家不是便雅憫支派中至小的家嗎？』
也許掃羅在此所指的是當年基比亞事件，因為他是基比亞人（撒上10:26）。可能在該事件後基比亞人被人唾棄，不過聖經沒有記載。然而掃羅家卻不是便雅憫支派中至小的家，因為我們在第一節中曾經說過，他的父親基士在便雅憫人當中，至少在他的本鄉基比亞當中，應該算是個名人。掃羅這樣說是因為他謙卑，自認為沒有什麼聲望。由此也可以看出他的品格來。總括來說，保羅在年輕的時候的確是一個非常優秀的人才，否則神也不會揀選他。他勇敢，忠心，良善，溫和，謙卑，若是能夠一直保持這些優點的話，神一定會大大使用他。可惜他沒有專心順服神的話，以致他的這些優點都不被記念，最後被神撇棄。他的一生是我們一個很好的借鑒。
神既然不喜悅以色列人求立王，為什麼還要撒母耳膏立掃羅？
世界最終的政府形態是什麼制度？我們今天的民主政府是神真正的心意嗎？
撒母耳要掃羅與他同席代表什麼意思？我們將來會與誰同席？參與什麼筵席?
以色列人仰慕掃羅嗎？撒母耳為什麼這樣講？
掃羅的反應是什麼？我們可以從掃羅身上學到什麼優點？什麼警惕？
今天的查經對我有什麼幫助？我願意在未來一週做出什麼改變嗎？
9:1 有一個便雅憫人，名叫基士，是便雅憫人亞斐亞的玄孫，比歌拉的曾孫，洗羅的孫子，亞別的兒子，是個大能的勇士( - 或譯：大財主)。
9:2 他有一個兒子，名叫掃羅，又健壯、又俊美，在以色列人中沒有一個能比他的；身體比眾民高過一頭。
9:3 掃羅的父親基士丟了幾頭驢，他就吩咐兒子掃羅說：「你帶一個僕人去尋找驢。」
9:4 掃羅就走過以法蓮山地，又過沙利沙地，都沒有找着；又過沙琳地，驢也不在那裏；又過便雅憫地，還沒有找着。
9:5 到了蘇弗地，掃羅對跟隨他的僕人說：「我們不如回去，恐怕我父親不為驢掛心，反為我們擔憂。」
9:6 僕人說：「這城裏有一位神人，是眾人所尊重的，凡他所說的全都應驗。我們不如往他那裏去，或者他能將我們當走的路指示我們。」
9:7 掃羅對僕人說：「我們若去，有甚麼可以送那人呢？我們囊中的食物都吃盡了，也沒有禮物可以送那神人，我們還有甚麼沒有？」
9:8 僕人回答掃羅說：「我手裏有銀子一舍客勒的四分之一，可以送那神人，請他指示我們當走的路。」（
9:9 從前以色列中，若有人去問上帝，就說：「我們問先見去吧！」現在稱為「先知」的，從前稱為「先見」。）
9:10 掃羅對僕人說：「你說的是，我們可以去。」於是他們往神人所住的城裏去了。
9:11 他們上坡要進城，就遇見幾個少年女子出來打水，問她們說：「先見在這裏沒有？」
9:12 女子回答說：「在這裏，他在你們前面。快去吧！他今日正到城裏，因為今日百姓要在邱壇獻祭。
9:13 在他還沒有上邱壇吃祭物之先，你們一進城必遇見他；因他未到，百姓不能吃，必等他先祝祭，然後請的客才吃。現在你們上去，這時候必遇見他。」
9:14 二人就上去；將進城的時候，撒母耳正迎着他們來，要上邱壇去。
9:15 掃羅未到的前一日，耶和華已經指示撒母耳說：
9:16 「明日這時候，我必使一個人從便雅憫地到你這裏來，你要膏他作我民以色列的君。他必救我民脫離非利士人的手；因我民的哀聲上達於我，我就眷顧他們。」
9:17 撒母耳看見掃羅的時候，耶和華對他說：「看哪，這人就是我對你所說的，他必治理我的民。」
9:18 掃羅在城門裏走到撒母耳跟前，說：「請告訴我，先見的寓所在哪裏？」
9:19 撒母耳回答說：「我就是先見。你在我前面上邱壇去，因為你們今日必與我同席；明日早晨我送你去，將你心裏的事都告訴你。
9:20 至於你前三日所丟的那幾頭驢，你心裏不必掛念，已經找着了。以色列眾人所仰慕（desire）的是誰呢？不是仰慕你和你父的全家嗎？」
9:21 掃羅說：「我不是以色列支派中至小的便雅憫人嗎？我家不是便雅憫支派中至小的家嗎？你為何對我說這樣的話呢？」
NIV
1 There was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, a Benjaminite, a man of wealth.
2 And he had a son whose name was Saul, a handsome young man. There was not a man among the people of Israel more handsome than he. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people.
3 Now the donkeys of Kish, Saul's father, were lost. So Kish said to Saul his son, “Take one of the young men with you, and arise, go and look for the donkeys.”
4 And he passed through the hill country of Ephraim and passedthrough the land of Shalishah, but they did not find them. And they passed through the land of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then they passed through the land of Benjamin, but did not find them.
5 When they came to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant[a] who was with him, “Come, let us go back, lest my father cease to care about the donkeys and become anxious about us.”
6 But he said to him, “Behold, there is a man of God in this city, and he is a man who is held in honor; all that he says comes true. So now let us go there. Perhaps he can tell us the way we should go.”
7 Then Saul said to his servant, “But if we go, what can we bring the man? For the bread in our sacks is gone, and there is no present to bring to the man of God. What do we have?”
8 The servant answered Saul again, “Here, I have with me a quarter of a shekel[b] of silver, and I will give it to the man of God to tell us our way.”
9 (Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he said, “Come, let us go to the seer,” for today's “prophet” was formerly called a seer.)
10 And Saul said to his servant, “Well said; come, let us go.” So they went to the city where the man of God was.
11 As they went up the hill to the city, they met young women coming out to draw water and said to them, “Is the seer here?”
12 They answered, “He is; behold, he is just ahead of you. Hurry. He has come just now to the city, because the people have a sacrifice today on the high place.
13 As soon 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 till he comes, since he must bless the sacrifice; afterward those who are invited will eat. Now go up, for you will meet him immediately.”
14 So they went up to the city. As they were entering the city, they saw Samuel coming out toward them on his way up to the high place.
15 Now the day before Saul came, the LORD had revealed to Samuel:
16 “Tomorrow about this time I will send to you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince[c] over my people Israel. He shall save my people from the hand of the Philistines. For I have seen[d] my people, because their cry has come to me.”
17 When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD told him, “Here is the man of whom I spoke to you! He it is who shall restrain my people.”
18 Then Saul approached Samuel in the gate and said, “Tell me where is the house of the seer?”
19 Samuel answered Saul, “I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for today you shall eat with me, and in the morning I will let you go and will tell you all that is on your mind.
20 As for your donkeys that were lost three days ago, do not set your mind on them, for they have been found. And for whom is all that is desirable in Israel? Is it not for you and for all your father's house?”
21 Saul answered, “Am I not a Benjaminite, from the least of the tribes of Israel? And is not my clan the humblest of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then have you spoken to me in this way?”
Footnotes:
a. 1 Samuel 9:5 Hebrew young man; also verses 7, 8, 10, 27
b. 1 Samuel 9:8 A shekel was about 2/5 ounce or 11 grams
c. 1 Samuel 9:16 Or leader
d. 1 Samuel 9:16 Septuagint adds the affliction of
ESV
1 There was a Benjamite, a man of standing, whose name was Kish son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bekorath, the son of Aphiah of Benjamin.
2 Kish had a son named Saul, as handsome a young man as could be found anywhere in Israel, and he was a head taller than anyone else.
3 Now the donkeys belonging to Saul’s father Kish were lost, and Kish said to his son Saul, “Take one of the servants with you and go and look for the donkeys.”
4 So he passed through the hill country of Ephraim and through the area around Shalisha, but they did not find them. They went on into the district of Shaalim, but the donkeys were not there. Then he passed through the territory of Benjamin, but they did not find them.
5 When they reached the district of Zuph, Saul said to the servant who was with him, “Come, let’s go back, or my father will stop thinking about the donkeys and start worrying about us.”
6 But the servant replied, “Look, in this town there is a man of God; he is highly respected, and everything he says comes true. Let’s go there now. Perhaps he will tell us what way to take.”
7 Saul said to his servant, “If we go, what can we give the man? The food in our sacks is gone. We have no gift to take to the man of God. What do we have?”
8 The servant answered him again. “Look,” he said, “I have a quarter of a shekel[a] of silver. I will give it to the man of God so that he will tell us what way to take.”
9 (Formerly in Israel, if someone went to inquire of God, they would say, “Come, let us go to the seer,” because the prophet of today used to be called a seer.)
10 “Good,” Saul said to his servant. “Come, let’s go.” So they set out for the town where the man of God was.
11 As they were going up the hill to the town, they met some young women coming out to draw water, and they asked them, “Is the seer here?”
12 “He is,” they answered. “He’s ahead of you. Hurry now; he has just come to our town today, for the people have a sacrifice at the high place.
13 As soon as you enter the town, you will find him before he goes up to the high place to eat. The people will not begin eating until he comes, because he must bless the sacrifice; afterward, those who are invited will eat. Go up now; you should find him about this time.”
14 They went up to the town, and as they were entering it, there was Samuel, coming toward them on his way up to the high place.
15 Now the day before Saul came, the LORD had revealed this to Samuel:
16 “About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him ruler over my people Israel; he will deliver them from the hand of the Philistines. I have looked on my people, for their cry has reached me.”
17 When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the LORD said to him, “This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people.”
18 Saul approached Samuel in the gateway and asked, “Would you please tell me where the seer’s house is?”
19 “I am the seer,” Samuel replied. “Go up ahead of me to the high place, for today you are to eat with me, and in the morning I will send you on your way and will tell you all that is in your heart.
20 As for the donkeys you lost three days ago, do not worry about them; they have been found. And to whom is all the desire of Israel turned, if not to you and your whole family line?”
21 Saul answered, “But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why do you say such a thing to me?”
Footnotes:
a. 1 Samuel 9:8 That is, about 1/10 ounce or about 3 grams
NASB
1 Now there was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish the son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, son of a Benjaminite, a [a]valiant mighty man.
2 He had a son whose name was Saul, a young and handsome man, and there was not a more handsome man than he among the sons of Israel; from his shoulders and up he was taller than any of the people.
3 Now the donkeys of Kish, Saul’s father, had wandered off. So Kish said to his son Saul, “Now take with you one of the servants and arise, go search for the donkeys.”
4 So he passed through the hill country of Ephraim and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find them. Then they passed through the land of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then he passed through the land of the Benjaminites, but they did not find them.
5 When they came to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, “Come, and let’s return, or else my father will stop being concerned about the donkeys and will become anxious about us.”
6 But he said to him, “Behold now, there is a man of God in this city, and the man is held in honor; everything that he says definitely comes true. Now let’s go there, perhaps he can tell us about our journey on which we have set out.”
7 Then Saul said to his servant, “But look, if we go, what shall we bring the man? For the bread is gone from our sacks and there is no gift to bring to the man of God. What do we have?”
8 The servant answered Saul again and said, “Look, I have in my hand a fourth of a shekel of silver; I will give it to the man of God and he will tell us our way.”
9 (Previously in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he used to say, “Come, and let’s go to the seer”; for he who is called a prophet now was previously called a seer.)
10 Then Saul said to his servant, “[b]Good idea; come, let’s go.” So they went to the city where the man of God was.
11 As they went up the slope to the city, they found young women going out to draw water, and they said to them, “Is the seer here?”
12 They answered them and said, “He is; [c]see, he is ahead of you. Hurry now, for he has come into the city today, because the people have a sacrifice on the high place today.
13 As soon 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 must bless the sacrifice; afterward those who are invited will eat. Now then, go up, for you will find him about this time.”
14 So they went up to the city. As they came into the city, behold, Samuel was coming out toward them to go up to the high place.
15 Now a day before Saul’s coming, the LORD had [d]revealed this to Samuel, saying,
16 “About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him as ruler over My people Israel; and he will save My people from the hand of the Philistines. For I have considered My people, because their outcry has come to Me.”
17 When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD [e]said to him, “Behold, the man of whom I spoke to you! This one shall rule over My people.”
18 Then Saul approached Samuel at the gateway and said, “Please tell me where the seer’s house is.”
19 And Samuel answered Saul and said, “I am the seer. Go up ahead of me to the high place, for you shall eat with me today; and in the morning I will let you go, and will tell you everything that is on your mind.
20 And as for your donkeys that wandered off three days ago, do not be concerned about them, for they have been found. And for whom is everything that is desirable in Israel? Is it not for you and for all your father’s household?”
21 Saul replied, “Am I not a Benjaminite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my family the least of all the families of the [f]tribe of Benjamin? Why then have you spoken to me in this way?”
Footnotes:
a. 1 Samuel 9:1 Or man of wealth and influence
b. 1 Samuel 9:10 Lit Your word is good
c. 1 Samuel 9:12 Or behold
d. 1 Samuel 9:15 Lit opened Samuel’s ear
e. 1 Samuel 9:17 Lit answered
f. 1 Samuel 9:21 As in some ancient versions; MT tribes