³ Now Israel^(A) loved Joseph more than any of his other sons,^(B) because he had been born to him in his old age;^(C) and he made an ornate^[a] robe^(D) for him.^(E)

²² Then Samuel brought Saul and his servant into the hall and seated them at the head of those who were invited—about thirty in number. ²³ Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the piece of meat I gave you, the one I told you to lay aside.”

²⁴ So the cook took up the thigh^(A) with what was on it and set it in front of Saul. Samuel said, “Here is what has been kept for you. Eat, because it was set aside for you for this occasion from the time I said, ‘I have invited guests.’” And Saul dined with Samuel that day.

³⁰ Day by day the king gave Jehoiachin a regular allowance as long as he lived.^(A)

¹⁹ That is why rural Jews—those living in villages—observe the fourteenth of the month of Adar^(A) as a day of joy and feasting, a day for giving presents to each other.^(B)

⁹ “‘I bathed you with water and washed^(A) the blood from you and put ointments on you. ¹⁰ I clothed you with an embroidered^(B) dress and put sandals of fine leather on you. I dressed you in fine linen^(C) and covered you with costly garments.^{(D) 11} I adorned you with jewelry:^(E) I put bracelets^(F) on your arms and a necklace^(G) around your neck, ¹² and I put a ring on your nose,^(H) earrings^(I) on your ears and a beautiful crown^(J) on your head.^{(K) 13} So you were adorned with gold and silver; your clothes^(L) were of fine linen and costly fabric and embroidered cloth. Your food was honey, olive oil^(M) and the finest flour. You became very beautiful and rose to be a queen.^(N)

⁵ The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine^(A) from the king’s table.^(B) They were to be trained for three years,^(C) and after that they were to enter the king’s service.^(D)