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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)

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Footnotes

  1. 10:20 Was chosen: probably by casting lots; cf. 14:40–42; Jos 7:14, 17.

17 Samuel summoned the people of Israel to the Lord at Mizpah(A) 18 and said to them, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘I brought Israel up out of Egypt, and I delivered you from the power of Egypt and all the kingdoms that oppressed(B) you.’ 19 But you have now rejected(C) your God, who saves(D) you out of all your disasters and calamities. And you have said, ‘No, appoint a king(E) over us.’(F) So now present(G) yourselves before the Lord by your tribes and clans.”

20 When Samuel had all Israel come forward by tribes, the tribe of Benjamin was taken by lot. 21 Then he brought forward the tribe of Benjamin, clan by clan, and Matri’s clan was taken.(H) Finally Saul son of Kish was taken. But when they looked for him, he was not to be found. 22 So they inquired(I) further of the Lord, “Has the man come here yet?”

And the Lord said, “Yes, he has hidden himself among the supplies.”

23 They ran and brought him out, and as he stood among the people he was a head taller(J) than any of the others. 24 Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the man the Lord has chosen?(K) There is no one like(L) him among all the people.”

Then the people shouted, “Long live(M) the king!”

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