1st Shamu'AL (1 Samuel) — 9

Shaul Meets Shamu'AL 

1 There was a wealthy, influential man named Kish from the tribe of Banyamin. He was the son of Abial, son of Zarur, son of Bacurath, son of Aphiah, of the tribe of Banyamin. 

2 His son Shaul was the most handsome man in Yashar'AL, head and shoulders taller than anyone else in the land.

3 One day Kish’s donkeys strayed away, and he told Shaul, “Take a servant with you, and go look for the donkeys.” 

4 So Shaul took one of the servants and traveled through the hill country of Aphraim, the land of Shalishah, the Shaalim area, and the entire land of Banyamin, but they could not find the donkeys anywhere.

5 Finally, they entered the region of Zuph, and Shaul said to his servant, “Let us go home, by now my father will be more worried about us than about the donkeys!”

6 But the servant said, “I have just thought of something! There is a servant of 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH who lives here in this town, he is held in high honor by all the people because everything he says comes true. Let us go find him. Perhaps he can tell us which way to go.”

7 “Shaul replied; But we do not have anything to offer him, “Even our food is gone, and we do not have a thing to give him.”

8 “Well,” the servant said, “I have one small silver piece. We can at least offer it to the servant of 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH and see what happens!” 

9 (In those days if people wanted a message from 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH, they would say, “Let’s go and ask the seer,” for Nabym used to be called seers.)

10 “All right,” Shaul agreed, “let’s try it!” So they started into the town where the servant of 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH lived. 

11 As they were climbing the hill to the town, they met some young women coming out to draw water. So Shaul and his servant asked, “Is the seer here today?”

12 “Yes,” they replied. “Stay right on this road he is at the town gates, he has just arrived to take part in a public sacrifice up at the place of worship. 

13 Hurry and catch him before he goes up there to eat, the guests must wait for Shamu'AL to Barak the food before they will start eating.”

14 So they entered the town, and as they passed through the gates, Shamu'AL was coming out toward them to go up to the place of worship.

15 Now 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH had Dabar to Shamu'AL the previous day, 

16 “About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Banyamin. Anoint him to be the leader of my people, Yashar'AL, he will rescue them from the Philistines, for I have looked down on my people in mercy and have heard their cry.”

17 When Shamu'AL saw Shaul,  𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH Dabar, “That’s the man I told you about! He will rule my people.”

18 Just then Shaul approached Shamu'AL at the gateway and asked, “Can you please tell me where the seer’s house is?”

19 “I am the seer!” Shamu'AL replied. “Go up to the place of worship ahead of me. We will eat there together, and in the morning I’ll tell you what you want to know and send you on your way. 

20 And do not worry about those donkeys that were lost three days ago, for they have been found. And I am here to tell you that you and your family are the focus of all Yashar'AL’s hopes.”

21 Shaul replied, “But I am only from the tribe of Banyamin, the smallest tribe in Yashar'AL, and my family is the least important of all the families of that tribe! Why are you talking like this to me?”

22 Then Shamu'AL brought Shaul and his servant into the hall and placed them at the head of the table, honoring them above the thirty special guests. 

23 Shamu'AL then instructed the cook to bring Shaul the finest cut of meat, the piece that had been set aside for the guest of honor. 

24 So the cook brought in the meat and placed it before Shaul. “Go ahead and eat it,” Shamu'AL said. “I was saving it for you even before I invited these others!” So Shaul ate with Shamu'AL that day.

25 When they came down from the place of worship and returned to town, Shamu'AL took Shaul up to the roof of the house and prepared a bed for him there. 

26 At daybreak the next morning, Shamu'AL called to Shaul, “Get up! It’s time you were on your way.” So Shaul got ready, and he left the house with Shamu'AL. 

27 When they reached the edge of town, Shamu'AL told Shaul to send his servant on ahead. After the servant was gone, Shamu'AL said, “Stay here, for I have received a special message for you from our 𐤀𐤋𐤅𐤄_ALUAH.