1 Samuel 9

Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power.

Once lived a powerful man named Kish, from the tribe of Benjamin. He was the descendant of Abiel, Zeror, Bechorath, and Aphiah.

And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.

He had a son, Saul, a remarkable young man of striking appearance. Among all of Israel's children, none could match his beauty. Standing head and shoulders above everyone, he was truly a sight to behold.

And the asses of Kish Saul’s father were lost. And Kish said to Saul his son, Take now one of the servants with thee, and arise, go seek the asses.

Kish, Saul's father, lost his donkeys. Worried, he turned to Saul, his son, and said, "Take a servant with you, my son, and go find our lost donkeys."

And he passed through mount Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalisha, but they found them not: then they passed through the land of Shalim, and there they were not: and he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they found them not.

He journeyed across Mount Ephraim, then through Shalisha's lands, but found no one. His search continued in Shalim, yet still, no one was found. Even in the land of the Benjamites, they remained elusive.

And when they were come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant that was with him, Come, and let us return; lest my father leave caring for the asses, and take thought for us.

When they reached Zuph, Saul turned to his servant, worry creasing his brow. "Let's head back," he suggested. "My father might stop worrying about the donkeys and start worrying about us instead."

And he said unto him, Behold now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honourable man; all that he saith cometh surely to pass: now let us go thither; peradventure he can shew us our way that we should go.

He told him, "Look, there's a respected man in this city, a man of God. His words always come true. Let's go to him. Maybe he can guide us on the right path."

Then said Saul to his servant, But, behold, if we go, what shall we bring the man? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God: what have we?

Saul turned to his servant, worry creasing his brow. "If we go to him, what can we offer? Our bread is gone, our gifts depleted. What do we have left to give to this holy man?"

And the servant answered Saul again, and said, Behold, I have here at hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver: that will I give to the man of God, to tell us our way.

The servant reassured Saul, saying with a humble tone, "Look, I have a small amount of silver with me. I'll give it to the holy man, so he can guide us on our path."

(Beforetime in Israel, when a man went to enquire of God, thus he spake, Come, and let us go to the seer: for he that is now called a Prophet was beforetime called a Seer.)

In the past in Israel, when someone sought God's guidance, they'd say, "Let's visit the seer." Back then, what we now call a 'prophet' was known as a 'seer'.

Then said Saul to his servant, Well said; come, let us go. So they went unto the city where the man of God was.

Saul turned to his servant, his voice filled with approval, "Well spoken. Let's proceed." And so, they journeyed towards the city, drawn by the presence of God's chosen man.

And as they went up the hill to the city, they found young maidens going out to draw water, and said unto them, Is the seer here?

As they climbed the city's hill, they saw young girls fetching water. They asked them, "Is the prophet here?"

And they answered them, and said, He is; behold, he is before you: make haste now, for he came to day to the city; for there is a sacrifice of the people to day in the high place:

They responded, "Yes, he's here, right in front of you. Hurry, he arrived in the city today for a special ceremony. The people are offering a sacrifice at the sacred site today."

As soon as ye be come into the city, ye shall straightway find him, before he go up to the high place to eat: for the people will not eat until he come, because he doth bless the sacrifice; and afterwards they eat that be bidden. Now therefore get you up; for about this time ye shall find him.

As soon as you enter the city, you'll immediately find him, before he ascends to the sacred place for a meal. The people won't start eating until he arrives, as he blesses the sacrifice. Then, those invited can eat. So, hurry now; it's about time you'll find him.

And they went up into the city: and when they were come into the city, behold, Samuel came out against them, for to go up to the high place.

They journeyed to the city and upon their arrival, they were met by Samuel, who was heading towards the sacred hill.

Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,

The day before Saul arrived, the LORD had whispered a secret into Samuel's ear.

To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him to be captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.

Tomorrow, I will send you a man from Benjamin's land. You will anoint him to lead my people, Israel, and he will free them from the Philistines. I've heard my people's cries and it's time for their salvation.

And when Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said unto him, Behold the man whom I spake to thee of! this same shall reign over my people.

When Samuel laid eyes on Saul, God whispered in his ear, "See, this is the man I told you about! He's the one destined to lead my people."

Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer’s house is.

Saul approached Samuel anxiously at the city entrance, pleading, "Please, can you tell me where the prophet lives?"

And Samuel answered Saul, and said, I am the seer: go up before me unto the high place; for ye shall eat with me to day, and to morrow I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thine heart.

Samuel responded to Saul, "I am the visionary. Follow me to the sacred hill. Today, we'll share a meal. Tomorrow, I'll set you free, revealing the deepest desires of your heart."

And as for thine asses that were lost three days ago, set not thy mind on them; for they are found. And on whom is all the desire of Israel? Is it not on thee, and on all thy father’s house?

Don't worry about your donkeys that went missing three days ago, they've been found. Isn't it true that all of Israel's hopes rest on you and your family?

And Saul answered and said, Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore then speakest thou so to me?

Saul responded with a hint of disbelief, "Aren't I just a humble Benjamite, from the smallest tribe in Israel? And isn't my family the least significant in our tribe? Why then, are you addressing me in such a manner?"

And Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the parlour, and made them sit in the chiefest place among them that were bidden, which were about thirty persons.

Samuel warmly welcomed Saul and his servant, guiding them to the most honored seats in the room, amidst a gathering of about thirty guests.

And Samuel said unto the cook, Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee, Set it by thee.

Samuel gently instructed the cook, "Please bring me the portion I gave you earlier. Remember, I asked you to keep it safe."

And the cook took up the shoulder, and that which was upon it, and set it before Saul. And Samuel said, Behold that which is left! set it before thee, and eat: for unto this time hath it been kept for thee since I said, I have invited the people. So Saul did eat with Samuel that day.

The chef served Saul a hearty portion of meat from the shoulder, garnished with what was left on it. Samuel, with a warm smile, pointed to the remaining food and said, "Saul, this has been saved just for you since I invited everyone. Please, enjoy." That day, Saul and Samuel shared a meal together.

And when they were come down from the high place into the city, Samuel communed with Saul upon the top of the house.

As they descended from the sacred heights into the city, Samuel shared a heartfelt conversation with Saul on the rooftop.

And they arose early: and it came to pass about the spring of the day, that Samuel called Saul to the top of the house, saying, Up, that I may send thee away. And Saul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Samuel, abroad.

As dawn broke, Samuel summoned Saul to the rooftop, eager to send him on his way. Saul got up and together, they stepped out into the world.

And as they were going down to the end of the city, Samuel said to Saul, Bid the servant pass on before us, (and he passed on), but stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God.

As they neared the city's edge, Samuel turned to Saul, "Let your servant go ahead of us," he instructed. Once the servant moved on, he told Saul, "Stay here for a moment, I want to share God's message with you."