Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord; the word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.

They replied, “You have not wronged us or oppressed us. You have not taken anything from the hand of anyone.”

The Preeminent One ¹  of Israel does not go back on his word ²  or change his mind, for he is not a human being who changes his mind.” ³ 

Since you did not obey the Lord ¹  and did not carry out his fierce anger against the Amalekites, the Lord has done this thing to you today.

So Saul inquired of the Lord, but the Lord did not answer him – not by dreams nor by Urim ¹  nor by the prophets.

This ought not to be, ¹  my sons! For the report that I hear circulating among the Lord’s people is not good.

The sons of Eli were wicked men. ¹  They did not recognize the Lord’s authority. ² 

But his sons did not follow ¹  his ways. Instead, they made money dishonestly, accepted bribes, and perverted justice. ² 

So Saul ¹  crossed through the hill country of Ephraim, passing through the land of Shalisha, but they did not find them. So they crossed through the land of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then he crossed through the land of Benjamin, and still they did not find them.

Finally her husband Elkanah said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep and not eat? Why are you so sad? ¹  Am I not better to you than ten ²  sons?”

Saul retained David ¹  on that day and did not allow him to return to his father’s house.

So turn and leave ¹  in peace. You must not do anything that the leaders of the Philistines consider improper!” ² 

Saul replied, “Am I not a Benjaminite, from the smallest of Israel’s tribes, and is not my family clan the smallest of all the tribes of Benjamin? Why do you speak to me in this way?”

My lord should not pay attention to this wicked man Nabal. He simply lives up to his name! His name means ‘fool,’ and he is indeed foolish! ¹  But I, your servant, did not see the servants my lord sent. ² 

(Now the servant did not understand any of this. Only Jonathan and David knew what was going on.) ¹ 

You should not turn aside after empty things that can’t profit and can’t deliver, since they are empty. ¹ 

Jesse presented seven of his sons to Samuel. ¹  But Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.”

Saul accepted Jonathan’s advice ¹  and took an oath, “As surely as the Lord lives, he will not be put to death.”

Then Jesse presented ¹  Shammah. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.”

But now your kingdom will not continue! The Lord has sought out ¹  for himself a man who is loyal to him ²  and the Lord has appointed ³  him to be leader over his people, for you have not obeyed what the Lord commanded you.”