Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

To the Director: A Davidic Psalm.

A Prayer for Victory

Saul is Anointed King

10 Samuel took a flask of oil, poured it on Saul’s^[a] head, kissed him, and said, “The Lord has anointed you Commander-in-Chief^[b] over his inheritance, has he not? ² When you leave me today, you will find two men by Rachel’s tomb in the territory of Benjamin at Zelzah. They’ll tell you, ‘The donkeys you went to look for have been found. Now your father has stopped worrying about the donkeys^[c] and he’s anxious about you. He’s asking, ‘What will I do about my son?’ ³ Then you’ll go on further from there and come to the oak at Tabor. There three men going up to the Lord at Bethel will meet you. One will be herding^[d] three young goats, one will be carrying three loaves of bread, and one will be carrying a bottle^[e] of wine. ⁴ They’ll greet you and give you two loaves of bread, which you’re to accept from them.

⁵ “After that you will come to Gibeath-elohim^[f] where the Philistine garrison is. As you arrive there at the town, you’ll meet a band of prophets coming down from the high place with a harp, tambourine, flute, and lyre being played in front of them, and they’ll be prophesying. ⁶ The Spirit of the Lord will come upon you, and you’ll prophesy with them and be changed into a different person. ⁷ When these signs occur,^[g] do whatever you want^[h] to do, because the Lord is with you. ⁸ You are to go down ahead of me to Gilgal, and then I’ll come down to offer burnt offerings and to sacrifice peace offerings. You are to wait seven days until I come to you to let you know what you are to do.”

⁴ By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain did,^[a] and by faith^[b] he was declared to be righteous, since God himself accepted his offerings. And by faith^[c] he continues to speak, even though he is dead.

⁵ By faith Enoch was taken away without experiencing death. He could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he won approval as one who pleased God. ⁶ Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who diligently search for him.

⁷ By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, reverently prepared an ark to save his family, and by faith^[d] he condemned the world and inherited the righteousness that comes by faith.