Study Desk

When the ark of the Lord had been in the land of the Philistines for seven months,

the Philistines summoned the priests and the diviners^(a) and pleaded, "What should we do with the ark of the Lord ? Tell us how we can send it back to its place."

They replied, "If you send the ark of Israel's God away, you must not send it without an offering.^(b) You must send back a restitution offering to Him,^(c) and you will be healed. Then the reason His hand hasn't been removed from you will be revealed."^[a]

They asked, "What restitution offering should we send back to Him?" And they answered, "Five gold tumors and five gold mice^(d) corresponding to the number of Philistine rulers,^(e) since there was one plague for both you^[b] and your rulers.

Make images of your tumors and of your mice that are destroying the land. Give glory to Israel's God,^(f) and perhaps He will stop oppressing you,^[c](g) your gods, and your land.^(h)

Why harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened theirs?⁽ⁱ⁾ When He afflicted them, didn't they send Israel away, and Israel left?^(j)

"Now then, prepare one new cart and two milk cows that have never been yoked.^(k) Hitch the cows to the cart, but take their calves away and pen them up.

Take the ark of the Lord , place it on the cart, and put the gold objects that you're sending Him as a restitution offering in a box^(l) beside the ark.^(m) Send it off and let it go its way.

Then watch: If it goes up the road to its homeland toward Beth-shemesh,⁽ⁿ⁾ it is the Lord who has made this terrible trouble for us. However, if it doesn't, we will know that it was not His hand that punished^(o) us—it was just something that happened to us by chance."

The men did this: They took two milk cows, hitched them to the cart, and confined their calves in the pen.

Then they put the ark of the Lord on the cart, along with the box containing the gold mice and the images of their tumors.

The cows went straight up the road to Beth-shemesh.^(p) They stayed on that one highway,^(q) lowing as they went; they never strayed to the right or to the left. The Philistine rulers were walking behind them to the territory of Beth-shemesh.

The people of Beth-shemesh were harvesting wheat in the valley, and when they looked up and saw the ark, they were overjoyed to see it.

The cart came to the field of Joshua of Beth-shemesh and stopped there near a large rock. The people of the city chopped up the cart and offered the cows as a burnt offering to the Lord .^(r)

The Levites^(s) removed the ark of the Lord , along with the box containing the gold objects, and placed them on the large rock. That day the men of Beth-shemesh offered burnt offerings and made sacrifices to the Lord .

When the five Philistine rulers^(t) observed this, they returned to Ekron that same day.

As a restitution offering to the Lord , the Philistines had sent back one gold tumor for each city:^(u) Ashdod, Gaza, Ashkelon, Gath, and Ekron.

The number of gold mice also corresponded to the number of Philistine cities of the five rulers, the fortified cities and the outlying villages.^(v) The large rock^[d](w) on which the ark of the Lord was placed is in the field of Joshua of Beth-shemesh to this day.

God struck down the men of Beth-shemesh because they looked inside the ark of the Lord .^[e](x) He struck down 70 men out of 50,000 men.^[f] The people mourned because the Lord struck them with a great slaughter.

The men of Beth-shemesh asked, "Who is able to stand in the presence of this holy Lord God?^(y) Who should the ark go to from here?"

They sent messengers to the residents of Kiriath-jearim,^(z) saying, "The Philistines have returned the ark of the Lord . Come down and get it."^[g]

So the men of Kiriath-jearim came for the ark of the Lord and took it to Abinadab's house on the hill.^(a) They consecrated his son Eleazar to take care of it.

Time went by until 20 years had passed since the ark had been taken to Kiriath-jearim. Then the whole house of Israel began to seek the Lord .

Samuel told them, "If you^(b) are returning to the Lord ^(c) with all your heart,^(d) get rid of the foreign gods^(e) and the Ashtoreths that are among you, dedicate yourselves to^[a] the Lord , and worship only Him.^(f) Then He will rescue you from the hand of the Philistines."

So the Israelites removed the Baals and the Ashtoreths^(g) and only worshiped the Lord .

Samuel said, "Gather all Israel at Mizpah,^(h) and I will pray to the Lord on your behalf."⁽ⁱ⁾

When they gathered at Mizpah, they drew water and poured it out in the Lord 's presence.^(j) They fasted that day,^(k) and there they confessed, "We have sinned against the Lord ."^(l) And Samuel judged the Israelites at Mizpah.

When the Philistines heard that the Israelites had gathered at Mizpah, their rulers marched up toward Israel. When the Israelites heard about it, they were afraid because of the Philistines.

The Israelites said to Samuel, "Don't stop crying out to the Lord our God for us, so that He will save us from the hand of the Philistines."

Then Samuel took a young lamb^(m) and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord . He cried out to the Lord on behalf of Israel, and the Lord answered him.⁽ⁿ⁾

Samuel was offering the burnt offering as the Philistines drew near to fight against Israel. The Lord thundered loudly^(o) against the Philistines that day and threw them into such confusion that they fled before Israel.^(p)

Then the men of Israel charged out of Mizpah and pursued the Philistines striking them down all the way to a place below Beth-car.

Afterward, Samuel took a stone and set it upright^(q) between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer,^[b] explaining, "The Lord has helped us to this point."

So the Philistines were subdued^(r) and^[c] did not invade Israel's territory again.^(s) The Lord 's hand was against the Philistines all of Samuel's life.

The cities from Ekron to Gath, which they had taken from Israel, were restored; Israel even rescued their surrounding territories from Philistine control. There was also peace between Israel and the Amorites.

Samuel judged Israel throughout his life.^(t)

Every year he would go on a circuit to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpah and would judge Israel at all these locations.

Then he would return to Ramah^(u) because his home was there, he judged Israel there, and he built an altar to the Lord there.

When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as judges over Israel.^(a)

His firstborn son's name was Joel and his second was Abijah. They were judges in Beer-sheba.^(b)

However, his sons did not walk in his ways—they turned toward dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice.^(c)

So all the elders of Israel gathered together and went to Samuel at Ramah.^(d)

They said to him, "Look, you are old, and your sons do not follow your example. Therefore, appoint a king to judge us the same as all the other nations have."^(e)

When they said, "Give us a king to judge us," Samuel considered their demand sinful, so he prayed to the Lord .

But the Lord told him, "Listen to the people and everything they say to you. They have not rejected you; they have rejected Me as their king.^(f)

They are doing the same thing to you that they have done to Me,^[a] since the day I brought them out of Egypt until this day, abandoning Me and worshiping other gods.

Listen to them, but you must solemnly warn them^(g) and tell them about the rights of the king who will rule over them."

Samuel told all the Lord 's words to the people who were asking him for a king.

He said, "These are the rights of the king who will rule over you: He will take your sons and put them to his use in his chariots, on his horses, or running in front of his chariots.

He can appoint them for his use as commanders of thousands or commanders of fifties,^(h) to plow his ground or reap his harvest, or to make his weapons of war or the equipment for his chariots.

He can take your daughters to become perfumers, cooks, and bakers.

He can take your best fields, vineyards, and olive orchards and give them to his servants.⁽ⁱ⁾

He can take a tenth of your grain and your vineyards and give them to his officials and servants.

He can take your male servants, your female servants, your best young men,^[b] and your donkeys and use them for his work.

He can take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves can become his servants.

When that day comes, you will cry out because of the king you've chosen for yourselves,^(j) but the Lord won't answer you on that day."^(k)

The people refused to listen to Samuel. "No!" they said. "We must have a king over us.

Then we'll be like all the other nations: our king will judge us, go out before us,^(l) and fight our battles."

Samuel listened to all the people's words and then repeated them to the Lord .^[c]

"Listen to them," the Lord told Samuel. "Appoint a king for them."^(m) Then Samuel told the men of Israel, "Each of you, go back to your city."

There was an influential man of Benjamin named Kish^(a) son of Abiel, son of Zeror, son of Becorath, son of Aphiah, son of a Benjaminite.

He had a son named Saul, an impressive young man.^(b) There was no one more impressive among the Israelites than he. He stood a head taller than anyone else.^[a](c)

One day the donkeys of Saul's father Kish wandered off. Kish said to his son Saul, "Take one of the attendants with you and go look for the donkeys."

Saul and his attendant went through the hill country of Ephraim^(d) and then through the region of Shalishah,^(e) but they didn't find them. They went through the region of Shaalim^(f)—nothing. Then they went through the Benjaminite region but still didn't find them.

When they came to the land of Zuph,^(g) Saul said to the attendant who was with him, "Come on, let's go back, or my father will stop worrying about the donkeys and start worrying about us."^(h)

"Look," the attendant said, "there's a man of God⁽ⁱ⁾ in this city who is highly respected; everything he says is sure to come true.^(j) Let's go there now. Maybe he'll tell us which way we should go."^(k)

"Suppose we do go," Saul said to his attendant, "what do we take the man? The food from our packs is gone, and there's no gift to take to the man of God.^(l) What do we have?"

The attendant answered Saul: "Here, I have a piece^[b] of silver. I'll give it to the man of God, and he will tell us our way."

Formerly in Israel, a man who was going to inquire of God would say, "Come, let's go to the seer," for the prophet of today was formerly called the seer.^(m)

"Good," Saul replied to his attendant. "Come on, let's go." So they went to the city where the man of God was.

As they were climbing the hill to the city, they found some young women coming out to draw water⁽ⁿ⁾ and asked, "Is the seer here?"

The women answered, "Yes, he is ahead of you. Hurry, he just now came to the city, because there's a sacrifice^(o) for the people at the high place^(p) today.

If you go quickly, you can catch up with him before he goes to the high place to eat. The people won't eat until he comes because he must bless the sacrifice; after that, the guests can eat. Go up immediately—you can find him now."

So they went up toward the city. Saul and his attendant were entering the city when they saw Samuel coming toward them on his way to the high place.

Now the day before Saul's arrival, the Lord had informed Samuel,^[c](q)

"At this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him ruler over My people Israel.^(r) He will save them from the hand of the Philistines because I have seen the affliction of My people,^(s) for their cry has come to Me."

When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord told him, "Here is the man I told you about;^(t) he will rule over My people."

Saul approached Samuel in the gate area and asked, "Would you please tell me where the seer's house is?"

"I am the seer," Samuel answered.^[d] "Go up ahead of me to the high place and eat with me today. When I send you off in the morning, I'll tell you everything that's in your heart.

As for the donkeys that wandered away from you three days ago,^(u) don't worry about them because they've been found. And who does all Israel desire^(v) but you and all your father's family?"

Saul responded, "Am I not a Benjaminite^(w) from the smallest of Israel's tribes and isn't my clan the least important of all the clans of the Benjaminite tribe?^(x) So why have you said something like this to me?"

Samuel took Saul and his attendant, brought them to the banquet hall, and gave them a place at the head of the 30^[e] or so men who had been invited.

Then Samuel said to the cook, "Get the portion of meat that I gave you and told you to set aside."

The cook picked up the thigh^(y) and what was attached to it and set it before Saul. Then Samuel said, "Notice that the reserved piece is set before you. Eat it because it was saved for you for this solemn event at the time I said, ‘I've invited the people.'" So Saul ate with Samuel that day.

Afterward, they went down from the high place to the city, and Samuel spoke with Saul on the roof.^[f](z)

They got up early, and just before dawn, Samuel called to Saul on the roof, "Get up, and I'll send you on your way!" Saul got up, and both he and Samuel went outside.

As they were going down to the edge of the city, Samuel said to Saul, "Tell the attendant to go on ahead of us, but you stay for a while, and I'll reveal the word of God to you." So the attendant went on.

Samuel took the flask of oil,^(a) poured it out on Saul's head,^(b) kissed him, and said, "Hasn't the Lord anointed you^(c) ruler over His inheritance?^[a](d)

Today when you leave me, you'll find two men at Rachel's Grave^(e) at Zelzah in the land of Benjamin. They will say to you, ‘The donkeys you went looking for have been found,^(f) and now your father has stopped being concerned about the donkeys and is worried about you, asking: What should I do about my son?'

"You will proceed from there until you come to the oak of Tabor.^(g) Three men going up to God at Bethel^(h) will meet you there, one bringing three goats, one bringing three loaves of bread, and one bringing a skin of wine.

They will ask how you are and give you two loaves^[b] of bread, which you will accept from them.

"After that you will come to the Hill of God^[c](i) where there are Philistine garrisons.^[d] When you arrive at the city, you will meet a group of prophets^(j) coming down from the high place prophesying.^(k) They will be preceded by harps, tambourines, flutes, and lyres.

The Spirit of the Lord will control you,^(l) you will prophesy with them,^(m) and you will be transformed into a different person.⁽ⁿ⁾

When these signs have happened to you, do whatever your circumstances require^[e](o) because God is with you.

Afterward, go ahead of me to Gilgal. I will come to you to offer burnt offerings and to sacrifice fellowship offerings. Wait seven days until I come to you and show you what to do."

When Saul turned around^[f] to leave Samuel, God changed his heart,^[g] and all the signs came about that day.

When Saul and his attendant arrived at Gibeah, a group of prophets met him. Then the Spirit of God took control of him, and he prophesied along with them.

Everyone who knew him previously and saw him prophesy with the prophets asked each other, "What has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?"^(p)

Then a man who was from there asked, "And who is their father?"^(q) As a result, "Is Saul also among the prophets?" became a popular saying.

Then Saul finished prophesying and went to the high place.

Saul's uncle^(r) asked him and his attendant, "Where did you go?" "To look for the donkeys," Saul answered. "When we saw they weren't there, we went to Samuel."^(s)

"Tell me," Saul's uncle asked, "what did Samuel say to you?"

Saul told him, "He assured us the donkeys had been found." However, Saul did not tell him what Samuel had said about the matter of kingship.

Samuel summoned the people to the Lord at Mizpah^(t)

and said to the Israelites, "This is what the Lord , the God of Israel, says:^(u) ‘I brought Israel out of Egypt, and I rescued you from the power of the Egyptians and all the kingdoms that were oppressing you.'

But today you have rejected your God,^(v) who saves you from all your troubles and afflictions. You said to Him, ‘You^[h] must set a king over us.'^(w) Now therefore present yourselves before the Lord by your tribes and clans."^(x)

Samuel had all the tribes of Israel come forward, and the tribe of Benjamin was selected.

Then he had the tribe of Benjamin come forward by its clans, and the Matrite clan was selected.^[i] Finally, Saul son of Kish was selected.^(y) But when they searched for him, they could not find him.

They again inquired of the Lord ,^(z) "Has the man come here yet?" The Lord replied, "There he is, hidden among the supplies."

They ran and got him from there. When he stood among the people, he stood a head taller than anyone else.^[j](aa)

Samuel said to all the people, "Do you see the one the Lord has chosen?^(ab) There is no one like him among the entire population." And all the people shouted,^[k] "Long live the king!"^(ac)

Samuel proclaimed to the people the rights of kingship.^(ad) He wrote them on a scroll, which he placed in the presence of the Lord .^(ae) Then Samuel sent all the people away, each to his home.

Saul also went to his home in Gibeah,^(af) and brave men whose hearts God had touched went with him.

But some wicked men said, "How can this guy save us?" They despised him and did not bring him a gift,^(ag) but Saul said nothing.^[l][m]