9
1 Now there was an ish of Binyamin, shmo Kish Ben Aviel Ben Tzeror Ben Bechorat Ben Aphiach, an ish of Binyamin, a gibbor chayil (man of valor). 2 And he had a ben, shmo Sha'ul, a handsome bochur; and there was not among the Bnei Yisroel one more handsome than he; he was head and shoulders taller than kol HaAm.
3 And the donkeys of Kish Avi Sha'ul were lost. And Kish said to Sha'ul bno, Take now one of the ne'arim with thee, and arise, go look for the donkeys.
4 And he passed through har Ephrayim, and passed through Eretz Shalishah, but they found them not; then they passed through Eretz Sha'alim, and they were not there; and he passed through the territory of Binyamin, but they found them not. 5 And when they were come to Eretz Tzuph, Sha'ul said to his na'ar that was with him, Come, and let us return; lest Avi stop caring for the donkeys, and become concerned for us. 6 And he said unto him, Hinei now, there is in this town an Ish Elohim, an ish nikhbad (an honorable man); all that he saith cometh surely to pass; now let us go there; perhaps he can show us darkeinu (our way) that we should go. 7 Then said Sha'ul to his na'ar, But, hinei, if we go, what shall we bring the Ish? For the lechem is all gone in our vessels, and there is not a teshurah (gift) for the Ish HaElohim: what have we? 8 And the na'ar answered Sha'ul again, and said, Hinei, I have here at hand the fourth part of a shekel of kesef; that will I give to the Ish HaElohim, to tell us darkeinu (our way).
9 Beforetime in Yisroel, when an ish went to inquire of Elohim, thus he spoke, Come, and let us go to the ro'eh (seer): for he that is now called a navi was beforetime called a ro'eh (seer).
10 Then said Sha'ul to his na'ar, Well said; come, let us go. So they went unto the town where the Ish HaElohim was. 11 And as they went up the hill to the town, they found ne'arot (girls) going out to draw mayim, and said unto them, Is the ro'eh here? 12 And they answered them, and said, He is; hinei, he is ahead of you; make haste now, for he came today to the town; for there is a zevach (sacrifice) for HaAm today in the bamah (high place); 13 As soon as ye be come into the town, ye shall straightway find him, before he go up to the high place to eat; for HaAm will not eat until he come, because hu yevarech hazevach (he doth bless the sacrifice); and afterwards hakeru'im (the ones being invited) eat. Now therefore get you up; for about this time ye shall find him.
14 And they went up into the town; and when they were come into the town, hinei, Shmuel came out toward them as he was going up to the bamah (high place). 15 Now Hashem galah (had revealed, unveiled) in the ozen (ear) of Shmuel yom echad before Sha'ul came, saying, 16 Makhar (tomorrow) about this time I will send thee an ish out of Eretz Binyamin, and umeshachto (thou shalt anoint him) to be Nagid over My people Yisroel, that he may save My people out of the yad Pelishtim; for I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come unto Me.
17 And when Shmuel saw Sha'ul, Hashem said unto him, Hinei haIsh* whom I spoke to thee of! This same shall rule over My people. 18 Then Sha'ul drew near to Shmuel in the sha'ar, and said, Tell me, now, where is the Bais HaRo'eh. 19 And Shmuel answered Sha'ul, and said, I am the Ro'eh (seer): go up before me unto the bamah (high place); for ye shall eat with me hayom, and baboker I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thine levav.
20 And as for thine donkeys that were lost hayom sheloshet hayamim (now three days), set not thy mind on them; for they are found. And on whom is kol chemdat Yisroel (all the Desire of Yisroel)?† Is it not on thee, and on Kol Bais Avicha? 21 And Sha'ul answered and said, Am not I of Binyamin, of the smallest of the Shivtei Yisroel? And my mishpakhat the least of all the mishpekhot of the Shivtei Binyamin? Wherefore then speakest thou so to me?
22 And Shmuel took Sha'ul and his na'ar, and brought them into the room, and made them sit at the makom berosh (chief place) among hakeru'im (the ones being invited), which were about shloshim ish. 23 And Shmuel said unto the tabakh (cook), Bring the portion which I gave thee, of which I said unto thee, Set it aside for thee. 24 And the tabakh took up the shok (thigh piece), and that which was upon it, and set it before Sha'ul. And Shmuel said, Hinei that which is set aside! Set it before thee, and eat; for unto this mo'ed hath it been set aside for thee since I said, I have invited HaAm. So Sha'ul did eat with Shmuel that day. 25 And when they were come down from the bamah (high place) into the town, Shmuel communed with Sha'ul upon the gag (rooftop).
26 And they arose early; and it came to pass about shachar, that Shmuel called Sha'ul to the gag (rooftop), saying, Up, that I may send thee away. And Sha'ul arose, and they went out both of them, he and Shmuel, outside. 27 And as they were going down to the outskirts of the town, Shmuel said to Sha'ul, Bid the na'ar pass on before us (and he passed on), but stand thou still a while, that I may show thee the Devar Elohim.
* 9:17 Zech 6:12 † 9:20 See Hag 2:7