1 Samuel

Then Samuel poured a vial of oil on Saul’s head. And kissing Saul, Samuel said: “The Lord has anointed you to rule over and to lead his people, Israel. And this will be the Lord’s sign to you that he has anointed you.

After we part today, you will meet two men by Rachel’s tomb at Zelzah, in the territory of Benjamin. They will say to you: ‘The donkeys you were looking for have been found. But your father is now worried about you and what might have happened to you.’

When you go to the oak of Tabor, you will meet three men going up to see God at Bethel. One will bring three young goats; another, three loaves of bread; and another, a skin of wine.

They will greet you and give you two loaves of bread, which you are to accept from them.

After that, you will come to Gibeath-Elohim, where the garrison of the Philistines is. At the city entrance, you will meet a band of prophets coming down from the high place and a choir with harp, tambourine, flute, and lyre going before them. They will be in a trance as the prophets used to be.

Then the spirit of the Lord will seize you. You shall prophesy with them and become another man.

Now when these signs are fulfilled, do whatever seems good to you, for God is with you.

You shall go down to Gilgal ahead of me, and I shall join you there to offer burnt and peace offerings. Wait there seven days until I come and tell you what you must do.”

As soon as Saul parted from Samuel, God transformed him into a different person, and all the signs Samuel mentioned to Saul were fulfilled that day.

Upon entering Gibeah, a band of prophets met Saul; then the spirit of God seized him, and he began to prophesy with them.

Those who knew him and saw him prophesying with the prophets asked one another: “What has come over the son of Kish? Is Saul also one of the prophets?”

One of them exclaimed: “And who is his father!” This, therefore, became a saying: “Is Saul also one of the prophets?”

When Saul finished prophesying, he arrived with them at the Sanctuary.

Saul’s uncle asked him and his boy: “Where did you go?” Saul answered: “To look for the donkeys. When we could not find them, we went to Samuel.”

His uncle said: “Please, tell me what Samuel told you.”

Saul replied: “He merely told us that the donkeys had been found.” But Saul did not tell his uncle what Samuel had said about the kingship.

Election of the King by Lot

After that, Samuel called the people together before the Lord at Mizpah.

He then spoke to the Israelites: “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: I brought Israel out of Egypt, and I delivered you from the hands of the Egyptians and all the kingdoms oppressing you.

But you have this day rejected your God who saves you from all your calamities and your distress. You have said, ‘No! Give us a king to rule over us.’ So now present yourselves before the Lord, grouping yourselves into tribes and clans.”

Then Samuel made all the tribes of Israel come near him, and when they cast lots, the tribe of Benjamin was chosen.

He made the families of the tribe of Benjamin come near him, and the family of the Matrites was chosen. He made the members of the family of Matrites come near him, and the lot fell to Saul, son of Kish. They looked for him but could not find him.

So they asked the Lord again: “Did the man come here?” The Lord answered: “He has hidden himself among the baggage.”

So they found him and brought him out, and when Saul stood among the people, they saw that he was a head taller than the others.

Samuel said: “Do you see the one the Lord has chosen? There is none like him among all the people.” And all the people shouted: “Long live the king!”

Samuel then explained to the people the king’s rights and duties. He wrote all these in a book and presented it before the Lord. Then Samuel sent all the people home.

Saul himself went home to Gibeah, and men of valor, whose hearts God had touched, departed with him.

Some evil people, however, remarked: “How can this man save us?” And they ignored Saul and brought him no gift.