⁷ When these signs have come to pass, do whatever lies to hand, because God is with you. ^8 (A)Now go down ahead of me to Gilgal, for I shall come down to you, to offer burnt offerings and to sacrifice communion offerings. Wait seven days until I come to you; I shall then tell you what you must do.”^[a]

The Signs Come to Pass. ⁹ As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed his heart. That very day all these signs came to pass…. ^10 [b]From there they arrived at Gibeah, where a band of prophets met Saul, and the spirit of God rushed upon him, so that he joined them in their prophetic ecstasy.^{(B) 11} When all who had known him previously saw him in a prophetic state among the prophets, they said to one another, “What has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?”^{(C) 12} And someone from that district responded, “And who is their father?” Thus the saying arose, “Is Saul also among the prophets?” ¹³ When he came out of the prophetic ecstasy, he went home.

Silence About the Kingship. ¹⁴ Saul’s uncle asked him and his servant, “Where have you been?” Saul replied, “Looking for the donkeys. When we could not find them, we went to Samuel.”

⁶ When the Ammonites realized that they had put themselves in bad odor with David, Hanun and the Ammonites sent a thousand talents of silver to hire chariots and horsemen from Aram Naharaim, from Aram-maacah, and from Zobah. ⁷ They hired thirty-two thousand chariots along with the king of Maacah and his army, who came and encamped before Medeba. The Ammonites also assembled from their cities and came out for war.

⁸ When David heard of this, he sent Joab and his whole army of warriors against them. ⁹ The Ammonites marched out and lined up for battle at the entrance of the city, while the kings who had come to their help remained apart in the open field. ¹⁰ When Joab saw that there was a battle line both in front of and behind him, he chose some of the best fighters among the Israelites and lined them up against the Arameans; ¹¹ the rest of the army, which he placed under the command of his brother Abishai, then lined up to oppose the Ammonites. ¹² And he said: “If the Arameans prove too strong for me, you must come and save me; and if the Ammonites prove too strong for you, I will save you. ¹³ Hold firm and let us show ourselves courageous for the sake of our people and the cities of our God; and may the Lord do what is good in his sight.” ¹⁴ Joab therefore advanced with his men to engage the Arameans in battle; but they fled before him. ¹⁵ And when the Ammonites saw that the Arameans had fled, they too fled before his brother Abishai, and entered their city. Joab then came to Jerusalem.