1 Samuel 9 – Bible | Equip God’s People

World English Bible Classic

^[1] Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of a Benjamite, a mighty man of valor. ^[2] He had a son whose name was Saul, an impressive young man; and there was not among the children of Israel a more handsome person than he. From his shoulders and upward he was taller than any of the people. ^[3] The donkeys of Kish, Saul’s father, were lost. Kish said to Saul his son, “Now take one of the servants with you, and arise, go look for the donkeys.” ^[4] He passed through the hill country of Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they didn’t find them. Then they passed through the land of Shaalim, and they weren’t there. Then he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they didn’t find them. ^[5] When they had come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, “Come! Let’s return, lest my father stop caring about the donkeys and be anxious for us.” ^[6] The servant said to him, “Behold now, there is a man of God in this city, and he is a man who is held in honor. All that he says surely happens. Now let’s go there. Perhaps he can tell us which way to go.” ^[7] Then Saul said to his servant, “But behold, if we go, what should we bring the man? For the bread is spent in our sacks, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God. What do we have?” ^[8] The servant answered Saul again and said, “Behold, I have in my hand the fourth part of a shekel^ⓘ of silver. I will give that to the man of God, to tell us our way.” ^[9] (In earlier times in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he said, “Come! Let’s go to the seer;” for he who is now called a prophet was before called a seer.) ^[10] Then Saul said to his servant, “Well said. Come! Let’s go.” So they went to the city where the man of God was. ^[11] As they went up the ascent to the city, they found young maidens going out to draw water, and said to them, “Is the seer here?” ^[12] They answered them and said, “He is. Behold, he is before you. Hurry now, for he has come today into the city; for the people have a sacrifice today in the high place. ^[13] As soon as you have come into the city, you will immediately 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. Afterwards those who are invited eat. Now therefore go up; for at this time you will find him.” ^[14] They went up to the city. As they came within the city, behold, Samuel came out toward them to go up to the high place. ^[15] Now Yahweh had revealed to Samuel a day before Saul came, saying, ^[16] “Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man out of the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel. He will save my people out of the hand of the Philistines; for I have looked upon my people, because their cry has come to me.” ^[17] When Samuel saw Saul, Yahweh said to him, “Behold, the man of whom I spoke to you! He will have authority over my people.” ^[18] Then Saul approached Samuel in the gateway, and said, “Please tell me where the seer’s house is.” ^[19] Samuel answered Saul and said, “I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for you are to eat with me today. In the morning I will let you go and will tell you all that is in your heart. ^[20] As for your donkeys who were lost three days ago, don’t set your mind on them, for they have been found. For whom does all Israel desire? Is it not you and all your father’s house?” ^[21] Saul answered, “Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? And my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then do you speak to me like this?” ^[22] Samuel took Saul and his servant and brought them into the guest room, and made them sit in the best place among those who were invited, who were about thirty persons. ^[23] Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the portion which I gave you, of which I said to you, ‘Set it aside.’ ” ^[24] The cook took up the thigh, and that which was on it, and set it before Saul. Samuel said, “Behold, that which has been reserved! Set it before yourself and eat; because it has been kept for you for the appointed time, for I said, ‘I have invited the people.’ ” So Saul ate with Samuel that day. ^[25] When they had come down from the high place into the city, he talked with Saul on the housetop. ^[26] They arose early; and about daybreak, Samuel called to Saul on the housetop, saying, “Get up, that I may send you away.” Saul arose, and they both went outside, he and Samuel, together. ^[27] As they were going down at the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the servant to go on ahead of us.” He went ahead, then Samuel said, “But stand still first, that I may cause you to hear God’s message.”

Footnotes

A shekel is about 10 grams or about 0.35 ounces, so 1/4 shekel would be a small coin of about 2.5 grams.

King James Version

^[1] Now there was a manH376 of Benjamin,H1144 whose nameH8034 [was] Kish,H7027 the sonH1121 of Abiel,H22 the sonH1121 of Zeror,H6872 the sonH1121 of Bechorath,H1064 the sonH1121 of Aphiah,H647 a Benjamite,H1145 a mightyH1368 manH376 of power.H2428 ^[2] And he had a son,H1121 whose nameH8034 [was] Saul,H7586 a choice young man,H970 and a goodly:H2896 and [there was] not among the childrenH1121 of IsraelH3478 a goodlierH2896 personH376 than he: from his shouldersH7926 and upwardH4605 [he was] higherH1364 than any of the people.H5971 ^[3] And the assesH860 of KishH7027 Saul’sH7586 fatherH1 were lost.H6(QalImpf) And KishH7027 saidH559(QalImpf) to SaulH7586 his son,H1121 TakeH3947(QalImpv) now oneH259 of the servantsH5288 with thee, and arise,H6965(QalImpv) goH3212(QalImpv) seekH1245(PielImpv) the asses.H860 ^[4] And he passed throughH5674(QalImpf) mountH2022 Ephraim,H669 and passed throughH5674(QalImpf) the landH776 of Shalisha,H8031 but they foundH4672(QalPerf) [them] not: then they passed throughH5674(QalImpf) the landH776 of Shalim,H8171 and [there they were] not: and he passed throughH5674(QalImpf) the landH776 of the Benjamites,H1145 but they foundH4672(QalPerf) [them] not. ^[5] [And] when they were comeH935(QalPerf) to the landH776 of Zuph,H6689 SaulH7586 saidH559(QalPerf) to his servantH5288 that [was] with him, Come,H3212(QalImpv) and let us return;H7725(QalImpf) lest my fatherH1 leaveH2308(QalImpf) [caring] for the asses,H860 and take thoughtH1672(QalPerf) for us. ^[6] And he saidH559(QalImpf) unto him, Behold now, [there is] in this cityH5892 a manH376 of God,H430 and [he is] an honourableH3513(NiphPtc) man;H376 all that he saithH1696(PielImpf) comethH935(QalImpf) surely to pass:H935(QalInf) now let us goH3212(QalImpf) thither; peradventure he can shewH5046(HiphImpf) us our wayH1870 that we should go.H1980(QalPerf) ^[7] Then saidH559(QalImpf) SaulH7586 to his servant,H5288 But, behold, [if] we go,H3212(QalImpf) what shall we bringH935(HiphImpf) the man?H376 for the breadH3899 is spentH235(QalPerf) in our vessels,H3627 and [there is] not a presentH8670 to bringH935(HiphInf) to the manH376 of God:H430 what have we? ^[8] And the servantH5288 answeredH6030(QalInf) SaulH7586 again,H3254(HiphImpf) and said,H559(QalImpf) Behold, I haveH4672(NiphPerf) here at handH3027 the fourth partH7253 of a shekelH8255 of silver:H3701 [that] will I giveH5414(QalPerf) to the manH376 of God,H430 to tellH5046(HiphPerf) us our way.H1870 ^[9] (BeforetimeH6440 in Israel,H3478 when a manH376 wentH3212(QalInf) to enquireH1875(QalInf) of God,H430 thus he spake,H559(QalPerf) Come,H3212(QalImpv) and let us goH3212(QalImpf) to the seer:H7200(QalActPtc) for [he that is] nowH3117 [called] a ProphetH5030 was beforetimeH6440 calledH7121(NiphImpf) a Seer.H7200(QalActPtc)) ^[10] Then saidH1697 SaulH7586 to his servant,H5288 WellH2896 said;H559(QalImpf) come,H3212(QalImpv) let us go.H3212(QalImpf) So they wentH3212(QalImpf) unto the cityH5892 where the manH376 of GodH430 [was]. ^[11] [And] as they went upH5927(QalActPtc) the hillH4608 to the city,H5892 they foundH4672(QalPerf) young maidensH5291 going outH3318(QalActPtc) to drawH7579(QalInf) water,H4325 and saidH559(QalImpf) unto them, IsH3426 the seerH7200(QalActPtc) here? ^[12] And they answeredH6030(QalImpf) them, and said,H559(QalImpf) He is;H3426 behold, [he is] beforeH6440 you: make hasteH4116(PielImpv) now, for he cameH935(QalPerf) to dayH3117 to the city;H5892 for [there is] a sacrificeH2077 of the peopleH5971 to dayH3117 in the high place:H1116 ^[13] As soon as ye be comeH935(QalInf) into the city,H5892 ye shall straightwayH3651 findH4672(QalImpf) him, before he go upH5927(QalImpf) to the high placeH1116 to eat:H398(QalInf) for the peopleH5971 will not eatH398(QalImpf) until he come,H935(QalInf) because he doth blessH1288(PielImpf) the sacrifice;H2077 [and] afterwardsH310 they eatH398(QalImpf) that be bidden.H7121(QalPasPtc) Now therefore get you up;H5927(QalImpv) for about this timeH3117 ye shall findH4672(QalImpf) him. ^[14] And they went upH5927(QalImpf) intoH8432 the city:H5892 [and] when they were comeH935(QalActPtc) into the city,H5892 behold, SamuelH8050 came outH3318(QalActPtc) againstH7125(QalInf) them, for to go upH5927(QalInf) to the high place.H1116 ^[15] Now the LordH3068 had toldH1540(QalPerf) SamuelH8050 in his earH241 aH259 dayH3117 beforeH6440 SaulH7586 came,H935(QalInf) saying,H559(QalInf) ^[16] To morrowH4279 about this timeH6256 I will sendH7971(QalImpf) thee a manH376 out of the landH776 of Benjamin,H1144 and thou shalt anointH4886(QalPerf) him [to be] captainH5057 over my peopleH5971 Israel,H3478 that he may saveH3467(HiphPerf) my peopleH5971 out of the handH3027 of the Philistines:H6430 for I have lookedH7200(QalPerf) upon my people,H5971 because their cryH6818 is comeH935(QalPerf) unto me. ^[17] And when SamuelH8050 sawH7200(QalPerf) Saul,H7586 the LordH3068 saidH6030(QalPerf) unto him, Behold the manH376 whom I spakeH559(QalPerf) to thee of! this same shall reignH6113(QalImpf) over my people.H5971 ^[18] Then SaulH7586 drew nearH5066(QalImpf) to SamuelH8050 inH8432 the gate,H8179 and said,H559(QalImpf) TellH5046(HiphImpv) me, I pray thee, whereH335 the seer’sH7200(QalActPtc) houseH1004 [is]. ^[19] And SamuelH8050 answeredH6030(QalImpf) Saul,H7586 and said,H559(QalImpf) I [am] the seer:H7200(QalActPtc) go upH5927(QalImpv) beforeH6440 me unto the high place;H1116 for ye shall eatH398(QalPerf) with me to day,H3117 and to morrowH1242 I will let thee go,H7971(PielPerf) and will tellH5046(HiphImpf) thee all that [is] in thine heart.H3824 ^[20] And as for thine assesH860 that were lostH6(QalActPtc) threeH7969 daysH3117 ago,H3117 setH7760(QalImpf) not thy mindH3820 on them; for they are found.H4672(NiphPerf) And on whom [is] all the desireH2532 of Israel?H3478 [Is it] not on thee, and on all thy father’sH1 house?H1004 ^[21] And SaulH7586 answeredH6030(QalImpf) and said,H559(QalImpf) [Am] not I a Benjamite,H1145 of the smallestH6996 of the tribesH7626 of Israel?H3478 and my familyH4940 the leastH6810 of all the familiesH4940 of the tribeH7626 of Benjamin?H1144 wherefore then speakestH1696(PielPerf) thou soH1697 to me? ^[22] And SamuelH8050 tookH3947(QalImpf) SaulH7586 and his servant,H5288 and broughtH935(HiphImpf) them into the parlour,H3957 and made them sitH5414(QalImpf) in the chiefestH7218 placeH4725 among them that were bidden,H7121(QalPasPtc) which [were] about thirtyH7970 persons.H376 ^[23] And SamuelH8050 saidH559(QalImpf) unto the cook,H2876 BringH5414(QalImpv) the portionH4490 which I gaveH5414(QalPerf) thee, of which I saidH559(QalPerf) unto thee, SetH7760(QalImpv) it by thee. ^[24] And the cookH2876 took upH7311(HiphImpf) the shoulder,H7785 and [that] which [was] upon it, and setH7760(QalImpf) [it] beforeH6440 Saul.H7586 And [Samuel] said,H559(QalImpf) Behold that which is left!H7604(NiphPtc) setH7760(QalImpv) [it] beforeH6440 thee, [and] eat:H398(QalImpv) for unto this timeH4150 hath it been keptH8104(QalPasPtc) for thee since I said,H559(QalInf) I have invitedH7121(QalPerf) the people.H5971 So SaulH7586 did eatH398(QalImpf) with SamuelH8050 that day.H3117 ^[25] And when they were come downH3381(QalImpf) from the high placeH1116 into the city,H5892 [Samuel] communedH1696(PielImpf) with SaulH7586 upon the top of the house.H1406 ^[26] And they arose early:H7925(HiphImpf) and it came to pass about the springH5927(QalInf) of the day,H7837 that SamuelH8050 calledH7121(QalImpf) SaulH7586 to the top of the house,H1406 saying,H559(QalInf) Up,H6965(QalImpv) that I may send thee away.H7971(PielImpf) And SaulH7586 arose,H6965(QalImpf) and they went outH3318(QalImpf) bothH8147 of them, he and Samuel,H8050 abroad.H2351 ^[27] [And] as they were going downH3381(QalActPtc) to the endH7097 of the city,H5892 SamuelH8050 saidH559(QalPerf) to Saul,H7586 BidH559(QalImpv) the servantH5288 pass onH5674(QalImpf) beforeH6440 us, (and he passed on,H5674(QalImpv)) but standH5975(QalImpv) thou still a while,H3117 that I may shewH8085(HiphImpf) thee the wordH1697 of God.H430

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