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Saul Chosen King. 17 Samuel called the people together to the Lord at Mizpah(A) 18 and addressed the Israelites: “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: It was I who brought Israel up from Egypt and delivered you from the power of the Egyptians and from the power of all the kingdoms that oppressed you.(B) 19 But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your evils and calamities, by saying, ‘No! You must appoint a king over us.’ Now, therefore, take your stand before the Lord according to your tribes and families.”(C) 20 So Samuel had all the tribes of Israel come forward, and the tribe of Benjamin was chosen.[a] 21 Next he had the tribe of Benjamin come forward by clans, and the clan of Matri was chosen, and finally Saul, son of Kish, was chosen. But when they went to look for him, he was nowhere to be found. 22 (D)Again they consulted the Lord, “Is there still someone else to come forward?” The Lord answered: He is hiding among the baggage. 23 They ran to bring him from there; when he took his place among the people, he stood head and shoulders above all the people.(E) 24 Then Samuel addressed all the people, “Do you see the man whom the Lord has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people!” Then all the people shouted out, “Long live the king!”(F)

25 Samuel next explained to the people the rules of the monarchy,[b] wrote them in a book, and placed them before the presence of the Lord. Samuel then sent the people back to their own homes.(G) 26 Saul also went home to Gibeah, accompanied by warriors whose hearts the Lord had touched. 27 But some worthless people said, “How can this fellow save us?” They despised him and brought him no tribute.[c](H)

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Footnotes

  1. 10:20 Was chosen: probably by casting lots; cf. 14:40–42; Jos 7:14, 17.
  2. 10:25 Rules of the monarchy: a charter describing the relationship between the king and the people.
  3. 10:27 Tribute: a gift to honor a new ruler as a pledge of one’s loyalty; see Gn 32:14; Jgs 3:15; 2 Sm 8:2.