<p class="bodytext">When Samuel saw Saul, the <sc>Lordsc> said,<n id="1" /> &#8220;Here is the man that I told you about! He will rule over my people.&#8221;

As Saul approached Samuel in the middle of the gate, he said, &#8220;Please tell me where the seer&#8217;s house is.&#8221;p>

<t /><p class="bodytext">Then Samuel took a small container of olive oil and poured it on Saul&#8217;s<n id="1" /> head. Samuel<n id="2" /> kissed him and said, &#8220;The <sc>Lordsc> has chosen you<n id="3" /> to lead his people Israel! You will rule over the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s people and you will deliver them from the power of the enemies who surround them. This will be your sign that the <sc>Lordsc> has chosen<n id="4" /> you as leader over his inheritance.<n id="5" />

<p class="bodytext">Saul&#8217;s uncle asked him and his servant, &#8220;Where did you go?&#8221; Saul<n id="1" /> replied, &#8220;To look for the donkeys. But when we realized they were lost,<n id="2" /> we went to Samuel.&#8221;

Then he brought the tribe of Benjamin near by its families, and the family of Matri was chosen by lot. At last Saul son of Kish was chosen by lot. But when they looked for him, he was nowhere to be found.

<p class="bodytext">When the messengers went to Gibeah (where Saul lived)<n id="1" /> and informed the people of these matters, all the people wept loudly.<n id="2" />

Now take your positions, so I may confront you<n id="1" /> before the <sc>Lordsc> regarding all the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s just actions toward you and your ancestors.<n id="2" />

As far as I am concerned, far be it from me to sin against the <sc>Lordsc> by ceasing to pray for you! I will instruct you in the way that is good and upright.

<p class="bodytext">Jonathan attacked the Philistine outpost<n id="1" /> that was at Geba and the Philistines heard about it. Then Saul alerted<n id="2" /> all the land saying, &#8220;Let the Hebrews pay attention!&#8221;

All Israel heard this message,<n id="1" /> &#8220;Saul has attacked the Philistine outpost, and now Israel is repulsive<n id="2" /> to the Philistines!&#8221; So the people were summoned to join<n id="3" /> Saul at Gilgal.p>

Some of the Hebrews crossed over the Jordan River<n id="1" /> to the land of Gad and Gilead. But Saul stayed at Gilgal; the entire army that was with him was terrified.

<p class="bodytext">Then Samuel set out and went up from Gilgal<n id="1" /> to Gibeah in the territory of Benjamin.<n id="2" /> Saul mustered the army that remained with him; there were about six hundred men.

When the army entered the forest, they saw<n id="1" /> the honey flowing, but no one ate any of it,<n id="2" /> for the army was afraid of the oath.

Then someone from the army informed him, &#8220;Your father put the army under a strict oath<n id="1" /> saying, &#8216;Cursed be the man who eats food today!&#8217; That is why the army is tired.&#8221;

Then Jonathan said, &#8220;My father has caused trouble for the land. See how my eyes gleamed<n id="1" /> when I tasted just a little of this honey.

For as surely as the <sc>Lordsc>, the deliverer of Israel, lives, even if it turns out to be my own son Jonathan, he will certainly die!&#8221; But no one from the army said anything.<n id="1" />p>

<t /><p class="bodytext">Then Samuel said to Saul, &#8220;I was the one the <sc>Lordsc> sent to anoint you as king over his people Israel. Now listen to what the <sc>Lordsc> says.<n id="1" />

Here is what the <sc>Lordsc> of hosts says: &#8216;I carefully observed how the Amalekites opposed<n id="1" /> Israel along the way when Israel<n id="2" /> came up from Egypt.

When Samuel came to him,<n id="1" /> Saul said to him, &#8220;May the <sc>Lordsc> bless you! I have done what the <sc>Lordsc> said.&#8221;p>

Saul said, &#8220;They were brought<n id="1" /> from the Amalekites; the army spared the best of the flocks and cattle to sacrifice to the <sc>Lordsc> our God. But everything else we slaughtered.&#8221;p>