Samuel

19Early the next morning they bowed down and worshiped the LORD. Then they went home to Ramah. Elkanah and Hannah slept together as husband and wife. And the LORD remembered Hannah.

And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her.

Note"Remembered" does not mean God had forgotten her. It means he acted to help her now.

20After some time, Hannah had a baby boy. She named him Samuel. She said, "I asked the LORD for him."

Wherefore it came to pass, when the time was come about after Hannah had conceived, that she bare a son, and called his name Samuel, saying, Because I have asked him of the LORD.

NoteThe name Samuel sounds like the words for "asked of God." They spoke Hebrew, so the name reminded Hannah of her prayer.

21Later Elkanah and his whole family went to give the LORD the yearly gift. He also kept the promise he had made to God.

And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.

22But Hannah did not go. She told her husband, "I will wait until the boy stops drinking milk. Then I will bring him to the LORD's house. He will stay there for good."

But Hannah went not up; for she said unto her husband, I will not go up until the child be weaned, and then I will bring him, that he may appear before the LORD, and there abide for ever.

NoteBabies then drank their mother's milk for about three years. So Samuel was a little boy by now, not a baby.

23Her husband Elkanah said, "Do what you think is best. Stay here until he is ready. May the LORD do what he has said." So Hannah stayed home and fed her son until he was older.

And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only the LORD establish his word. So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned him.

24When Samuel no longer drank milk, Hannah took him with her. She brought a young bull, a basket of flour, and a skin bag of wine. She brought them all to the LORD's house in Shiloh. The boy was still very young.

And when she had weaned him, she took him up with her, with three bullocks, and one ephah of flour, and a bottle of wine, and brought him unto the house of the LORD in Shiloh: and the child was young.

NoteThe King James says "one ephah of flour." An ephah was a measure, about enough to fill a big bucket. A "bullock" is a young bull, a large male cow. People carried wine in bags made from animal skin, because they had no glass bottles.

25They killed the bull as a gift to God. Then they brought the boy to Eli.

And they slew a bullock, and brought the child to Eli.

NoteKilling an animal was how people gave a gift to God. Part of it was burned, and part was eaten together.

26Hannah said, "Please listen, sir. As surely as you are alive, I am that same woman. I stood here beside you and prayed to the LORD."

And she said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord, I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD.

Note"As surely as you live" was a way of making a promise. It means "I am telling you the truth."

27"I prayed for this boy. And the LORD gave me what I asked him for."

For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him:

28"So now I give him back to the LORD. He will belong to the LORD his whole life." And they worshiped the LORD there.

Therefore also I have lent him to the LORD; as long as he liveth he shall be lent to the LORD. And he worshipped the LORD there.

NoteThe King James says Hannah "lent" him to the LORD. Here it means she gave him for good, not just for a while.

18But Samuel served the LORD. He was only a boy. He wore a linen ephod, a plain vest worn by those who served God.

But Samuel ministered before the LORD, being a child, girded with a linen ephod.

NoteLinen is a soft cloth made from a plant. An ephod was a plain vest, like an apron with no sleeves.

19Every year his mother made him a little coat. She brought it to him when she and her husband came to give the yearly offering.

Moreover his mother made him a little coat, and brought it to him from year to year, when she came up with her husband to offer the yearly sacrifice.

NoteSamuel lived at God's tent, away from his family. His mother could only visit him once each year.

20Eli would bless Elkanah and his wife. He said, "May the LORD give you more children through this woman. She gave her son to the LORD." Then they went home.

And Eli blessed Elkanah and his wife, and said, The LORD give thee seed of this woman for the loan which is lent to the LORD. And they went unto their own home.

NoteBefore Samuel was born, Hannah promised God something. She said that if she had a son, he would serve God all his life.

21The LORD was kind to Hannah. She had three more sons and two daughters. And the boy Samuel grew up serving the LORD.

And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD.

22Eli was very old now. He heard about all the things his sons were doing to Israel. He also heard that they slept with the women who served at the door of God's tent.

Now Eli was very old, and heard all that his sons did unto all Israel; and how they lay with the women that assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

NoteSome women had jobs helping at the door of God's tent. Eli's sons treated these women very badly.

23He said to them, "Why do you do these things? All these people tell me about the bad things you do."

And he said unto them, Why do ye such things? for I hear of your evil dealings by all this people.

24"No, my sons. What I hear about you is not good. You are leading the LORD's people to do wrong."

Nay, my sons; for it is no good report that I hear: ye make the LORD’s people to transgress.

25"If a man sins against another man, a judge can settle it. But if a man sins against the LORD, who can speak up for him?" But his sons would not listen to their father. The LORD had decided to put them to death.

If one man sin against another, the judge shall judge him: but if a man sin against the LORD, who shall intreat for him? Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto the voice of their father, because the LORD would slay them.

NoteTo speak up for someone means to stand beside them and ask for mercy.

26The boy Samuel kept growing. The LORD was pleased with him, and people liked him too.

And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men.

1The boy Samuel served the LORD, helping Eli the priest. In those days the LORD hardly ever spoke to people. Visions from God were rare.

And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.

NoteA priest was a man who worked in God's house. He helped people bring their gifts to God. A vision is a special picture or message God gives someone. The King James says God's word was "precious" then. Here that means rare, like something you almost never get.

2One night Eli was lying down in his own room. His eyes had grown so weak that he could hardly see.

And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;

3The lamp in God's house was still burning. Samuel was lying down inside, near the ark of God, the special chest kept in God's house.

And ere the lamp of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel was laid down to sleep;

NoteThe ark was a special gold-covered box. Israel kept it in God's house at Shiloh. A lamp burned there at night, like a small night light. It used olive oil instead of electricity. God's house then was a tent-like building, not a stone church.

4Then the LORD called out to Samuel. Samuel answered, "Here I am."

That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.

Note"Here am I" is an old way to say "I'm here." People said it when someone called their name.

5Samuel ran to Eli and said, "Here I am. You called me." Eli said, "I did not call you. Go lie down again." So Samuel went and lay down.

And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.

6The LORD called again, "Samuel!" Samuel got up and went to Eli. He said, "Here I am. You called me." Eli answered, "My son, I did not call. Go lie down again."

And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.

7Samuel did not yet know the LORD. God had not yet spoken to him before this night.

Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him.

NoteThis does not mean Samuel had never heard of God. It means God had never spoken straight to him before.

8The LORD called Samuel a third time. Samuel got up and went to Eli. He said, "Here I am. You called me." Then Eli understood. It was the LORD calling the boy.

And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.

9So Eli said, "Go and lie down. If he calls you again, say this: 'Speak, LORD. I am your servant, and I am listening.'" Samuel went and lay down in his place.

Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.

NoteA servant is someone who works for another person. Samuel is saying he is ready to do what God says.

10Then the LORD came and stood there. He called as before, "Samuel! Samuel!" Samuel answered, "Speak. I am your servant, and I am listening."

And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

11The LORD said to Samuel, "Listen. I am going to do something in Israel. Everyone who hears about it will be shocked.

And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle.

NoteThe King James says people's ears will "tingle." Tingle means a prickly, buzzing feeling. It is a picture for news so big it startles you.

12On that day I will do to Eli everything I said I would do to his family. I will start it, and I will finish it.

In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end.

13I told him I would judge his family forever. He knew what was wrong. His sons did very wicked things, and he did not stop them.

For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knoweth; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.

Note"Judge" here means to decide someone is guilty and punish them. Eli's sons were priests too, but they did very bad things at God's house.

14So I have made a promise about Eli's family. No sacrifice or gift brought to me will ever take away this wrong."

And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.

NoteA sacrifice was an animal given to God at his house. An offering was a gift of food or grain. People brought these to say sorry for doing wrong.

15Samuel lay down until morning. Then he opened the doors of the LORD's house. He was afraid to tell Eli what he had seen and heard.

And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to shew Eli the vision.

NoteGod's house had big doors that were opened each morning. Opening them was one of Samuel's jobs.

16But Eli called him and said, "Samuel, my son." Samuel answered, "Here I am."

Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I.

17Eli said, "What did the LORD say to you? Please do not hide it from me. May God punish you if you hide even one word he said."

And he said, What is the thing that the LORD hath said unto thee? I pray thee hide it not from me: God do so to thee, and more also, if thou hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto thee.

Note"God do so to thee, and more also" was a strong old promise. It was a way of saying, "Tell me the truth, or else." People said it to make someone speak honestly.

18So Samuel told him everything and hid nothing. Eli said, "He is the LORD. Let him do what he thinks is right."

And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seemeth him good.

NoteEli means God may do whatever God decides is right. Eli is not arguing with the message.

19Samuel grew up, and the LORD was with him. God made every word Samuel spoke come true.

And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.

NoteThe King James says none of his words fell "to the ground." That is a picture of a word dropping and being lost. It means everything Samuel said really happened.

20All Israel, from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south, knew about Samuel. They knew he was truly a prophet of the LORD, someone who spoke God's words.

And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD.

NoteA prophet was a person who told others what God said. Dan was the town farthest north in Israel. Beersheba was the town farthest south. Saying "from Dan to Beersheba" meant everybody, everywhere.

21The LORD kept showing himself at Shiloh, the town where God's house was. There he spoke his words to Samuel.

And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.

NoteShiloh was the town where God's house stood. Families traveled there to worship.

2The ark stayed in Kirjathjearim a long time. It was twenty years. All the people of Israel were sad. They cried out and wanted the LORD again.

And it came to pass, while the ark abode in Kirjathjearim, that the time was long; for it was twenty years: and all the house of Israel lamented after the LORD.

NoteThe ark was kept in one man's house, not in a holy tent. So it felt like God was far away from the people.

3Samuel spoke to all Israel. He said, "Do you really want to come back to the LORD? Then get rid of the other gods you keep. Get rid of the Ashtaroth idols too. Make your hearts ready for the LORD. Serve only him. Then he will save you from the Philistines."

And Samuel spake unto all the house of Israel, saying, If ye do return unto the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts unto the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.

NoteThe Philistines were a strong people who lived nearby. They had better weapons and often attacked Israel. The Ashtaroth were statues of a goddess. People bowed to them and asked them for good crops and babies. Samuel was a prophet. A prophet is someone who tells people what God says.

4So the people of Israel put away the Baal and Ashtaroth idols. They served only the LORD.

Then the children of Israel did put away Baalim and Ashtaroth, and served the LORD only.

NoteBaal was another god the people around Israel prayed to. They thought he sent rain. "Put away" means they got rid of the statues for good.

5Samuel said, "Bring all Israel together at Mizpeh. I will pray to the LORD for you."

And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the LORD.

NoteMizpeh was a town on a hill where crowds could meet. Its name means "watchtower."

6They all met at Mizpeh. They drew water and poured it out before the LORD. That day they went without food. They said, "We have sinned against the LORD." At Mizpeh, Samuel was the judge who settled Israel's problems.

And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh.

NotePouring out water was a way of saying sorry to God. It was like saying, "We pour out our hearts to you." Going without food is called fasting. People did it to show they were serious when they prayed. A judge back then did more than settle arguments. He also led the people and helped them in war.

7The Philistines heard that Israel had gathered at Mizpeh. Their rulers marched out to attack Israel. When the people of Israel heard this, they were afraid.

And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines.

NoteThe Philistines had five main cities. Each city had its own ruler. When they fought, the rulers came together.

8The people of Israel said to Samuel, "Please keep calling out to the LORD our God for us. Ask him to save us from the Philistines."

And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the LORD our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines.

9Samuel took a young lamb that still drank its mother's milk. He burned the whole lamb as a gift to the LORD. Samuel called out to the LORD for Israel. The LORD answered him.

And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel; and the LORD heard him.

NoteA young lamb that still drank milk was the very best kind. Burning the whole animal was called a burnt offering. It was a gift to God, and nothing was kept back.

10While Samuel was burning the gift, the Philistines came close to fight. But that day the LORD sent loud thunder over the Philistines. They were badly confused. Israel beat them.

And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel.

11The men of Israel ran out from Mizpeh and chased the Philistines. They struck them down all the way past Bethcar.

And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Bethcar.

12Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpeh and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, "The LORD has helped us all the way to here."

Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.

NoteEbenezer means "stone of help." People set up big stones so nobody would forget what happened. Anyone walking by would ask about the stone, and the story got told again.

13So the Philistines were beaten. They stopped coming into Israel's land. The LORD's power was against the Philistines as long as Samuel lived.

So the Philistines were subdued, and they came no more into the coast of Israel: and the hand of the LORD was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel.

14The Philistines had taken towns from Israel. Now those towns were given back, from Ekron to Gath. Israel also took back the land around them. And Israel had peace with the Amorites.

And the cities which the Philistines had taken from Israel were restored to Israel, from Ekron even unto Gath; and the coasts thereof did Israel deliver out of the hands of the Philistines. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites.

NoteEkron and Gath were two of the Philistines' main cities. The Amorites were another people living in the land.

15Samuel was Israel's judge for the rest of his life.

And Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life.

16Every year he traveled a loop to Bethel, Gilgal, and Mizpeh. He judged Israel in all those places.

And he went from year to year in circuit to Bethel, and Gilgal, and Mizpeh, and judged Israel in all those places.

NoteHe traveled the same round trip every year, town to town. People brought their arguments to him when he came.

17Then he went home to Ramah, where he lived. He judged Israel there too. And there he built an altar to the LORD.

And his return was to Ramah; for there was his house; and there he judged Israel; and there he built an altar unto the LORD.

NoteAn altar was a pile of stones built for giving gifts to God. Ramah was Samuel's hometown.

1When Samuel was old, he made his sons judges over Israel.

And it came to pass, when Samuel was old, that he made his sons judges over Israel.

NoteSamuel was a prophet. A prophet is someone who tells people what God says. Israel was the name of God's people. They were many families living together in one land. A judge was a leader who settled people's arguments and led them in war.

2His oldest son was named Joel. His second son was named Abiah. They were judges in the town of Beersheba.

Now the name of his firstborn was Joel; and the name of his second, Abiah: they were judges in Beersheba.

NoteBeersheba was a town far away in the south. It was a long walk from Samuel's home.

3But his sons did not live the way Samuel did. They wanted money. They took secret gifts and did not judge fairly.

And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.

NoteA bribe is money given to a judge in secret. The person hopes the judge will say he is right. That is not fair to the other person.

4So all the leaders of Israel met together. They came to Samuel at his town, Ramah.

Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,

NoteThe leaders were called elders. They were older men who made choices for their towns.

5They said, "You are old, and your sons do not live like you. Give us a king to lead us, like the other nations have."

And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.

NoteIsrael had never had a king. Instead, judges led them one at a time. The countries around Israel all had kings.

6Samuel did not like what they said when they asked for a king. So Samuel prayed to the LORD.

But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.

NoteThe LORD is written in big letters here. That is God's own name, the one he told his people.

7The LORD told Samuel, "Do what the people ask. They have not turned away from you. They have turned away from me as their king."

And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them.

NoteTo reject someone means to say no to them. The people were saying no to God as their leader.

8"They have acted this way since I brought them out of Egypt. They left me and served other gods. Now they are doing the same to you."

According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee.

NoteLong before this, God's people were slaves in Egypt. God brought them out and made them free. Other gods means the statues that other countries prayed to.

9"So listen to them. But warn them clearly. Tell them what their king will do to them."

Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the manner of the king that shall reign over them.

10So Samuel told the people everything the LORD had said. They were the ones asking for a king.

And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that asked of him a king.

11Samuel said, "Here is what your king will do. He will take your sons for himself. Some will drive his war carts. Some will ride his horses. Some will run in front of his carts."

And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots.

NoteA war cart is called a chariot in the King James. It was a small cart pulled by fast horses. Soldiers rode in it during a battle.

12"He will make some of them army leaders. Others will plow his fields and gather his crops. Others will make weapons and parts for his war carts."

And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots.

NoteThe King James says the king will make men "ear his ground." To ear meant to plow. Plowing cuts long lines in the dirt for planting seeds.

13"He will take your daughters to make perfume, to cook, and to bake bread."

And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers.

NotePerfume then was sweet-smelling oil, not a spray. People rubbed it on their skin. The King James calls these workers "confectionaries," an old word for people who mixed sweet oils and treats.

14"He will take your fields, your grape vines, and your olive trees. He will take the best ones and give them to his helpers."

And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants.

NoteGrape vines and olive trees take many years to grow. A family kept the same ones for a very long time. Losing them was much worse than losing one crop.

15"He will take one tenth of your grain and your grapes. He will give it to his officers and his helpers."

And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants.

NoteOne tenth means one basket out of every ten. If you had ten bags of grain, one went to the king.

16"He will take your workers, your best young men, and your donkeys. He will put them all to work for himself."

And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work.

NoteDonkeys carried heavy loads and helped with farm work. A family needed them to do their daily work.

17"He will take one tenth of your sheep. And you yourselves will be his servants."

He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants.

NoteServants here means people who must work for someone. They could not say no and could not leave.

18"Then you will cry out because of the king you chose. But on that day the LORD will not answer you."

And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day.

NoteTo cry out means to call loudly for help. It does not mean to cry tears.

19Even so, the people would not listen to Samuel. They said, "No! We want a king over us."

Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us;

20"Then we will be like all the other nations. Our king will lead us and go out to fight our battles."

That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.

NoteBack then a king rode out in front of his soldiers. He led them into the fight himself.

21Samuel listened to everything the people said. Then he told it all to the LORD.

And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the LORD.

NoteThe King James says Samuel "rehearsed" the words. Rehearsed here just means he said them again.

22The LORD said to Samuel, "Listen to them and give them a king." So Samuel told the men of Israel, "Everyone go home to your own town."

And the LORD said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king. And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his city.

14They went up into the city. Just as they came in, there was Samuel. He was walking toward them, on his way up to the high place.

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.

NoteSamuel was the leader of Israel and a prophet. A prophet is someone who tells people what God says.

15One day before Saul arrived, the LORD had told Samuel something.

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

NoteWhen you see LORD in big letters, it stands for God's own special name.

16God said, "Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Pour oil on his head to show he is the leader of my people Israel. He will save them from the Philistines, who fight against them. I have seen my people. I have heard them crying for help."

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.

NotePouring oil on someone's head was like a crown. It showed everyone that God had picked this person for a big job. The Philistines were people who lived nearby, next to the sea. They had strong armies and often attacked Israel.

17When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said to him, "That is the man I told you about. He is the one who will rule my people."

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.

18Saul walked up to Samuel in the gateway. He said, "Please tell me where the seer's house is."

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

NoteTowns had a wall around them with a gate. The space just inside the gate was where people met, talked, and did business.

19Samuel answered, "I am the seer. Go up ahead of me to the high place. You will eat with me today. In the morning I will send you on your way. I will tell you everything that is on your mind."

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.

20"Do not worry about the donkeys you lost three days ago. They have been found. And everything Israel is hoping for belongs to you and your father's family."

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?

NoteThe people of Israel had been asking for a king. Samuel is hinting that Saul is the one.

21Saul said, "But I am from Benjamin, the smallest family group in Israel. And my own family is the least important one in Benjamin. Why are you saying this to me?"

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?

NoteBenjamin really was the smallest tribe. Saul is surprised that anyone important would notice him.

22Samuel took Saul and his servant into the big dining room. He sat them in the best seats. About thirty guests were there.

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.

NoteThe seat next to the host was the best seat. Giving it to a guest showed he was honored.

23Samuel said to the cook, "Bring the piece of meat I gave you. I told you to set it aside."

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

24The cook brought the leg and the meat on it. He set it in front of Saul. Samuel said, "Here is the part I saved. It is for you. Eat it. I have been keeping it for you since I invited the people." So Saul ate with Samuel that day.

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.

NoteThe leg was the best piece of meat. Samuel had saved it on purpose for his special guest.

25They came down from the high place into the city. Samuel talked with Saul on the flat roof of his house.

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

NoteRoofs were flat, like a small porch on top. People sat up there to talk, or slept there when nights were warm.

26They got up early. Just before the sun came up, Samuel called to Saul on the roof. He said, "Get up. I will send you on your way." Saul got up, and the two of them went outside together.

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.

27They walked down toward the edge of the city. Samuel said to Saul, "Tell your servant to go on ahead of us." The servant walked on. "Now stand still here for a moment. I will tell you what God says."

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.

1Samuel took a small jar of oil. He poured it on Saul's head. Then he kissed him. He said, "The LORD has chosen you to lead his people."

Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?

NotePouring oil on someone's head was called anointing. It showed that God had picked that person for a special job. This was how kings and priests were chosen.

2"When you leave me today, you will meet two men. They will be near Rachel's grave at Zelzah, on the edge of Benjamin's land. They will tell you the lost donkeys have been found. Your father has stopped worrying about the donkeys. Now he is worried about you. He keeps asking, 'What should I do about my son?'"

When thou art departed from me to day, then thou shalt find two men by Rachel’s sepulchre in the border of Benjamin at Zelzah; and they will say unto thee, The asses which thou wentest to seek are found: and, lo, thy father hath left the care of the asses, and sorroweth for you, saying, What shall I do for my son?

NoteRachel lived long before this. She was the mother of Benjamin, and Benjamin's family group was named after him. Saul had been out looking for his father's lost donkeys. Donkeys carried heavy loads, so losing them was a big problem.

3"Then keep going until you reach the big oak tree at Tabor. Three men will meet you there. They are going to worship God at Bethel. One will carry three young goats. One will carry three loaves of bread. One will carry a skin bag full of wine."

Then shalt thou go on forward from thence, and thou shalt come to the plain of Tabor, and there shall meet thee three men going up to God to Bethel, one carrying three kids, and another carrying three loaves of bread, and another carrying a bottle of wine:

NoteBethel was a town where people went to worship God. The goats, bread, and wine were gifts they were bringing to him. Wine was carried in bags made from animal skin, because there were no glass bottles.

4"They will greet you and give you two loaves of bread. Take the bread from their hands."

And they will salute thee, and give thee two loaves of bread; which thou shalt receive of their hands.

5"After that you will come to the hill of God, where Philistine soldiers are camped. As you come near the town, you will meet a group of prophets. They will be walking down from the worship place. Music will play in front of them, with harps, drums, and flutes. The prophets will be speaking God's words."

After that thou shalt come to the hill of God, where is the garrison of the Philistines: and it shall come to pass, when thou art come thither to the city, that thou shalt meet a company of prophets coming down from the high place with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp, before them; and they shall prophesy:

NoteThe Philistines were a people who lived nearby and often fought Israel. Their soldiers were camped inside Israel's land. The worship place was on top of a hill. People climbed up there to pray and bring gifts to God. A prophet was someone who told people what God said.

6"Then the Spirit of the LORD will come on you with power. You will speak God's words along with them. You will become a different man."

And the Spirit of the LORD will come upon thee, and thou shalt prophesy with them, and shalt be turned into another man.

NoteThe Spirit of the LORD means God's own power coming into a person. It gave people strength to do things they could not do alone.

7"When these signs happen, do whatever the moment calls for. God is with you."

And let it be, when these signs are come unto thee, that thou do as occasion serve thee; for God is with thee.

8"Go down to Gilgal ahead of me. I will come there to you. I will burn gifts to God and give peace offerings. Wait seven days until I come. Then I will tell you what to do."

And thou shalt go down before me to Gilgal; and, behold, I will come down unto thee, to offer burnt offerings, and to sacrifice sacrifices of peace offerings: seven days shalt thou tarry, till I come to thee, and shew thee what thou shalt do.

NoteGilgal was a town in Israel. A burnt offering was an animal given to God and burned on a stone table called an altar. A peace offering was a meal shared with God and with family and friends.

9Saul turned to leave Samuel. God gave Saul a new heart. All the signs came true that very day.

And it was so, that when he had turned his back to go from Samuel, God gave him another heart: and all those signs came to pass that day.

NoteA new heart does not mean the heart inside his chest. In this book, the heart means the way a person thinks and feels.

10Saul and his servant came to the hill. A group of prophets met him there. The Spirit of God came on Saul with power. He spoke God's words along with them.

And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them.

11People who had known Saul before saw this happen. They watched him speaking God's words with the prophets. They asked each other, "What has happened to the son of Kish? Is Saul a prophet now too?"

And it came to pass, when all that knew him beforetime saw that, behold, he prophesied among the prophets, then the people said one to another, What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?

NotePeople often named someone by his father, like Saul son of Kish. Everyone knew Saul as a farmer's son. Nobody expected him to speak God's words.

12A man who lived there answered, "And who is their father?" That is how the saying began: "Is Saul also among the prophets?"

And one of the same place answered and said, But who is their father? Therefore it became a proverb, Is Saul also among the prophets?

NoteThe man's question is a puzzle. He seems to mean that prophets do not get the job from their fathers. God can choose anyone, even Saul.

13When Saul finished speaking God's words, he went up to the worship place.

And when he had made an end of prophesying, he came to the high place.

14Saul's uncle asked him and his servant, "Where did you go?" Saul said, "To look for the donkeys. We could not find them, so we went to Samuel."

And Saul’s uncle said unto him and to his servant, Whither went ye? And he said, To seek the asses: and when we saw that they were no where, we came to Samuel.

15Saul's uncle said, "Please tell me what Samuel said to you."

And Saul’s uncle said, Tell me, I pray thee, what Samuel said unto you.

16Saul said, "He told us plainly that the donkeys were found." But Saul did not tell him what Samuel said about being king.

And Saul said unto his uncle, He told us plainly that the asses were found. But of the matter of the kingdom, whereof Samuel spake, he told him not.

17Then Samuel called all the people to meet with the LORD at Mizpeh.

And Samuel called the people together unto the LORD to Mizpeh;

NoteMizpeh was a town where the people of Israel gathered for big meetings.

18He said to the people of Israel, "This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says. 'I brought Israel out of Egypt. I saved you from the Egyptians. I saved you from every kingdom that treated you badly.'"

And said unto the children of Israel, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all kingdoms, and of them that oppressed you:

NoteLong before this, the people of Israel were slaves in Egypt. God brought them out and made them free.

19"But today you have said no to your God. He is the one who saves you from all your troubles. You told him, 'No. Give us a king instead.' So now come and stand before the LORD. Come tribe by tribe."

And ye have this day rejected your God, who himself saved you out of all your adversities and your tribulations; and ye have said unto him, Nay, but set a king over us. Now therefore present yourselves before the LORD by your tribes, and by your thousands.

NoteA tribe is one big family group. All of Israel was twelve tribes together.

20Samuel had every tribe of Israel come forward. The tribe of Benjamin was picked.

And when Samuel had caused all the tribes of Israel to come near, the tribe of Benjamin was taken.

NoteTo pick a tribe, they drew lots. It worked a little like drawing straws. People believed God guided which one came out.

21Then the families of Benjamin came forward. The family of Matri was picked. Then Saul, the son of Kish, was picked. But when they looked for him, they could not find him.

When he had caused the tribe of Benjamin to come near by their families, the family of Matri was taken, and Saul the son of Kish was taken: and when they sought him, he could not be found.

22So they asked the LORD again, "Has the man come here yet?" The LORD answered, "He is hiding among the bags and supplies."

Therefore they enquired of the LORD further, if the man should yet come thither. And the LORD answered, Behold, he hath hid himself among the stuff.

23They ran and brought him out. He stood among the people. He was taller than everyone else, by a whole head.

And they ran and fetched him thence: and when he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward.

NoteBeing tall mattered to people then. They wanted a king who looked strong enough to lead them into battle.

24Samuel said to all the people, "Look at the man the LORD has chosen. No one else is like him." All the people shouted, "Long live the king!"

And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the LORD hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted, and said, God save the king.

NoteThe King James says, "God save the king." That is old English for "May the king live a long time."

25Then Samuel told the people the rules for having a king. He wrote the rules in a book. He set the book down before the LORD. Then Samuel sent everyone home.

Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, and wrote it in a book, and laid it up before the LORD. And Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house.

NoteA book then was a long rolled-up sheet called a scroll. Setting it before the LORD means putting it in the holy tent where people worshiped.

26Saul went home to Gibeah. Brave men went with him. God had touched their hearts.

And Saul also went home to Gibeah; and there went with him a band of men, whose hearts God had touched.

NoteGibeah was the town where Saul's family lived.

27But some troublemakers said, "How can this man save us?" They looked down on Saul and brought him no gifts. But Saul stayed quiet about it.

But the children of Belial said, How shall this man save us? And they despised him, and brought him no presents. But he held his peace.

NoteThe King James calls them "children of Belial." That old phrase means troublemakers who are no good. People brought gifts to a new king to show they accepted him. Bringing nothing was a way of saying no.