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to him； and when they were before the gates； they lit upon
certain maidens that were going to fetch water； and they asked
them which was the prophet's house。 They showed them which it
was； and bid them make haste before he sat down to supper； for he
had invited many guests to a feast； and that he used to sit down
before those that were invited。 Now Samuel had then gathered many
together to feast with him on this very account； for while he
every day prayed to God to tell him beforehand whom he would make
king； he had informed him of this man the day before； for that he
would send him a certain young man out of the tribe of Benjamin
about this hour of the day； and he sat on the top of the house in
expectation of that time's being come。 And when the time was
completed； he came down and went to supper； so he met with Saul；
and God discovered to him that this was he who should rule over
them。 Then Saul went up to Samuel and saluted him； and desired
him to inform him which was the prophet's house； for he said he
was a stranger and did not know it。 When Samuel had told him that
he himself was the person； he led him in to supper； and assured
him that the asses were found which he had been to seek； and that
the greatest of good things were assured to him： he replied； 〃I
am too inconsiderable to hope for any such thing； and of a tribe
to small to have kings made out of it； and of a family smaller
than several other families； but thou tellest me this in jest；
and makest me an object of laughter； when thou discoursest with
me of greater matters than what I stand in need of。〃 However； the
prophet led him in to the feast； and made him sit down； him and
his servant that followed him； above the other guests that were
invited； which were seventy in number （7） and he gave orders to
the servants to set the royal portion before Saul。 And when the
time of going to bed was come； the rest rose up； and every one of
them went home； but Saul staid with the prophet； he and his
servant； and slept with him。
2。 Now as soon as it was day； Samuel raised up Saul out of his
bed； and conducted him homeward； and when he was out of the city；
he desired him to cause his servant to go before； but to stay
behind himself； for that he had somewhat to say to him when
nobody else was present。 Accordingly； Saul sent away his servant
that followed him； then did the prophet take a vessel of oil； and
poured it upon the head of the young man； and kissed him； and
said； 〃Be thou a king； by the ordination of God； against the
Philistines； and for avenging the Hebrews for what they have
suffered by them； of this thou shalt have a sign； which I would
have thee take notice of： … As soon as thou art departed hence；
thou will find three men upon the road； going to worship God at
Bethel； the first of whom thou wilt see carrying three loaves of
bread； the second carrying a kid of the goats； and the third will
follow them carrying a bottle of wine。 These three men will
salute thee； and speak kindly to thee； and will give thee two of
their loaves； which thou shalt accept of。 And thence thou shalt
come to a place called Rachel's Monument； where thou shalt meet
with those that will tell thee thy asses are found； after this；
when thou comest to Gabatha； thou shalt overtake a company of
prophets； and thou shalt be seized with the Divine Spirit； （8）
and prophesy along with them； till every one that sees thee shall
be astonished； and wonder； and say； Whence is it that the son of
Kish has arrived at this degree of happiness？ And when these
signs have happened to thee； know that God is with thee； then do
thou salute thy father and thy kindred。 Thou shalt also come when
I send for thee to Gilgal； that we may offer thank…offerings to
God for these blessings。〃 When Samuel had said this； and foretold
these things； he sent the young man away。 Now all things fell out
to Saul according to the prophecy of Samuel。
3。 But as soon as Saul came into the house of his kinsman Abner；
whom indeed he loved better than the rest of his relations； he
was asked by him concerning his journey； and what accidents
happened to him therein； and he concealed none of the other
things from him； no； not his coming to Samuel the prophet； nor
how he told him the asses were found； but he said nothing to him
about the kingdom； and what belonged thereto； which he thought
would procure him envy； and when such things are heard； they are
not easily believed； nor did he think it prudent to tell those
things to him； although he appeared very friendly to him； and one
whom he loved above the rest of his relations； considering； I
suppose； what human nature really is； that no one is a firm
friend； neither among our intimates； nor of our kindred； nor do
they preserve that kind disposition when God advances men to
great prosperity； but they are still ill…natured and envious at
those that are in eminent stations。
4。 Then Samuel called the people together to the city Mizpeh； and
spake to them in the words following； which he said he was to
speak by the command of God： … That when he had granted them a
state of liberty； and brought their enemies into subjection； they
were become unmindful of his benefits； and rejected God that he
should not be their King； as not considering that it would be
most for their advantage to be presided over by the best of
beings； for God is the best of beings； and they chose to have a
man for their king； while kings will use their subjects as
beasts； according to the violence of their own wills and
inclinations； and other passions； as wholly carried away with the
lust of power； but will not endeavor so to preserve the race of
mankind as his own workmanship and creation； which； for that very
reason； God would take cake of。 〃But since you have come to a
fixed resolution； and this injurious treatment of God has quite
prevailed over you； dispose yourselves by your tribes and
scepters； and cast lots。〃
5。 When the Hebrews had so done； the lot fell upon the tribe of
Benjamin； and when the lot was cast for the families of this
tribe； that which was called Matri was taken； and when the lot
was cast for the single persons of that family； Saul； the son of
Kish； was taken for their king。 When the young man knew this； he
prevented ＇their sending for him＇； and immediately went away and
hid himself。 I suppose that it was because he would not have it
thought that he willingly took the government upon him； nay； he
showed such a degree of command over himself； and of modesty；
that while the greatest part are not able to contain their joy；
even in the gaining of small advantages； but presently show
themselves publicly to all men； this man did not only show
nothing of that nature； when he was appointed to be the lord of
so many and so great tribes； but crept away and concealed himself
out of the sight of those he was to reign over； and made them
seek him； and that with a good deal of trouble。 So when the
people were at a loss； and solicitous； because Saul disappeared；
the prophet besought God to show where the young man was； and to
produce him before them。 So when they had learned of God the
place where Saul was hidden；