Then Samuel said, “Gather all Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray to the Lord on your behalf.”

In his old age Samuel appointed his sons as judges over Israel.

So Samuel spoke all the words of the Lord to the people who were asking him for a king.

But the people refused to heed Samuel’s warning. Instead they said, “No! There will be a king over us!

So Samuel listened to everything the people said and then reported it to the Lord.

So they went up to the town. As they were heading for the middle of the town, Samuel was coming in their direction to go up to the high place.

Now the day before Saul arrived, the Lord had told Samuel:

Saul’s uncle said, “Tell me what Samuel said to you.”

Then Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was chosen by lot.

Then the people said to Samuel, “Who were the ones asking, ‘Will Saul reign over us?’ Hand over those men so we may execute them!”

Samuel said to the people, “Come on! Let’s go to Gilgal and renew the kingship there.”

Just when he had finished offering the burnt offering, Samuel appeared on the scene. Saul went out to meet him and to greet him.

Samuel replied, “If that is the case, then what is this sound of sheep in my ears and the sound of cattle that I hear?”

Then Samuel went to Ramah, while Saul went up to his home in Gibeah of Saul.

The woman replied, “Who is it that I should bring up for you?” He said, “Bring up for me Samuel.”

Samuel said, “Why are you asking me, now that the Lord has turned away from you and has become your enemy?

The Lord again called, “Samuel!” So Samuel got up and went to Eli and said, “Here I am, for you called me.” But Eli said, “I didn’t call you, my son. Go back and lie down.”

Then Samuel talked to the people about how the kingship would work. He wrote it all down on a scroll and set it before the Lord. Then Samuel sent all the people away to their homes.

Until the day he died Samuel did not see Saul again. Samuel did, however, mourn for Saul, but the Lord regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel.

Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Is that all of the young men?” Jesse replied, “There is still the youngest one, but he’s taking care of the flock.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we cannot turn our attention to other things until he comes here.”