Study Desk

Samuel then instructed the cook to bring Saul the finest cut of meat, the piece that had been set aside for the guest of honor.

So the cook brought in the meat and placed it before Saul. "Go ahead and eat it," Samuel said. "I was saving it for you even before I invited these others!" So Saul ate with Samuel that day.

When they came down from the place of worship and returned to town, Samuel took Saul up to the roof of the house and prepared a bed for him there.

When they reached the edge of town, Samuel told Saul to send his servant on ahead. After the servant was gone, Samuel said, "Stay here, for I have received a special message for you from God."

After these signs take place, do what must be done, for God is with you.

Then go down to Gilgal ahead of me. I will join you there to sacrifice burnt offerings and peace offerings. You must wait for seven days until I arrive and give you further instructions."

"Where have you been?" Saul's uncle asked him and his servant. "We were looking for the donkeys," Saul replied, "but we couldn't find them. So we went to Samuel to ask him where they were."

Then he brought each family of the tribe of Benjamin before the Lord , and the family of the Matrites was chosen. And finally Saul son of Kish was chosen from among them. But when they looked for him, he had disappeared!

About a month later, King Nahash of Ammon led his army against the Israelite town of Jabesh-gilead. But all the citizens of Jabesh asked for peace. "Make a treaty with us, and we will be your servants," they pleaded.

But Saul replied, "No one will be executed today, for today the Lord has rescued Israel!"

Now stand here quietly before the Lord as I remind you of all the great things the Lord has done for you and your ancestors.

All right, here is the king you have chosen. You asked for him, and the Lord has granted your request.

You know that it does not rain at this time of the year during the wheat harvest. I will ask the Lord to send thunder and rain today. Then you will realize how wicked you have been in asking the Lord for a king!"

"Pray to the Lord your God for us, or we will die!" they all said to Samuel. "For now we have added to our sins by asking for a king."

The Lord will not abandon his people, because that would dishonor his great name. For it has pleased the Lord to make you his very own people.

"As for me, I will certainly not sin against the Lord by ending my prayers for you. And I will continue to teach you what is good and right.

But be sure to fear the Lord and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you.

Saul was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned for forty-two years.

Saul waited there seven days for Samuel, as Samuel had instructed him earlier, but Samuel still didn't come. Saul realized that his troops were rapidly slipping away.

but Samuel said, "What is this you have done?" Saul replied, "I saw my men scattering from me, and you didn't arrive when you said you would, and the Philistines are at Micmash ready for battle.