17 Samuel summoned the people of Israel to the Lord at Mizpah(A) 18 and said to them, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘I brought Israel up out of Egypt, and I delivered you from the power of Egypt and all the kingdoms that oppressed(B) you.’ 19 But you have now rejected(C) your God, who saves(D) you out of all your disasters and calamities. And you have said, ‘No, appoint a king(E) over us.’(F) So now present(G) yourselves before the Lord by your tribes and clans.”

20 When Samuel had all Israel come forward by tribes, the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot. 21 Then he brought forward the tribe of Benjamin, clan by clan, and Matri’s clan was taken.(H) Finally Saul son of Kish was taken. But when they looked for him, he was not to be found. 22 So they inquired(I) further of the Lord, “Has the man come here yet?”

And the Lord said, “Yes, he has hidden himself among the supplies.”

23 They ran and brought him out, and as he stood among the people he was a head taller(J) than any of the others. 24 Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the man the Lord has chosen?(K) There is no one like(L) him among all the people.”

Then the people shouted, “Long live(M) the king!”

25 Samuel explained(N) to the people the rights and duties(O) of kingship.(P) He wrote them down on a scroll and deposited it before the Lord. Then Samuel dismissed the people to go to their own homes.

26 Saul also went to his home in Gibeah,(Q) accompanied by valiant men(R) whose hearts God had touched. 27 But some scoundrels(S) said, “How can this fellow save us?” They despised him and brought him no gifts.(T) But Saul kept silent.

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Saul Received as King

17 Samuel summoned the people to the Lord at Mizpah(A) 18 and said to the Israelites, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says:(B) ‘I brought Israel out of Egypt, and I rescued you from the power of the Egyptians and all the kingdoms that were oppressing you.’ 19 But today you have rejected your God,(C) who saves you from all your troubles and afflictions. You said to him, ‘You[a] must set a king over us.’(D) Now therefore present yourselves before the Lord by your tribes and clans.”(E)

20 Samuel had all the tribes of Israel come forward, and the tribe of Benjamin was selected. 21 Then he had the tribe of Benjamin come forward by its clans, and the Matrite clan was selected.[b] Finally, Saul son of Kish was selected.(F) But when they searched for him, they could not find him. 22 They again inquired of the Lord,(G) “Has the man come here yet?”

The Lord replied, “There he is, hidden among the supplies.”

23 They ran and got him from there. When he stood among the people, he stood a head taller than anyone else.[c](H) 24 Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the one the Lord has chosen?(I) There is no one like him among the entire population.”

And all the people shouted,[d] “Long live the king!” (J)

25 Samuel proclaimed to the people the rights of kingship.(K) He wrote them on a scroll, which he placed in the presence of the Lord.(L) Then Samuel sent all the people home.

26 Saul also went to his home in Gibeah,(M) and brave men whose hearts God had touched went with him. 27 But some wicked men said, “How can this guy save us?” They despised him and did not bring him a gift,(N) but Saul said nothing.[e][f]

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Footnotes

  1. 10:19 Some Hb mss, LXX, Syr, Vg read You said, ‘No, you
  2. 10:21 LXX adds And he had the Matrite clan come forward, man by man.
  3. 10:23 Lit people, and he was higher than any of the people from his shoulder and up
  4. 10:24 LXX reads acknowledged and said
  5. 10:27 DSS add Nahash king of the Ammonites had been severely oppressing the Gadites and Reubenites. He gouged out the right eye of each of them and brought fear and trembling on Israel. Of the Israelites beyond the Jordan none remained whose right eye Nahash, king of the Ammonites, had not gouged out. But there were seven thousand men who had escaped from the Ammonites and entered Jabesh-gilead.
  6. 10:27 Lit gift, and he was like a mute person