3. Now the donkeys of Kish, the father of Saul, had become lost. And Kish said to his son Saul, "Take with you one of the servants, and rising up, go out and seek the donkeys." And when they had passed through mount Ephraim,
4. and through the land of Shalishah, and had not found them, they crossed also through the land of Shaalim, and they were not there, and through the land of Benjamin, and they found nothing.
5. And when they had arrived in the land of Zuph, Saul said to the servant who was with him, "Come, and let us return, otherwise perhaps my father may forget the donkeys, and become anxious over us."
6. And he said to him: "Behold, there is a man of God in this city, a noble man. All that he says, happens without fail. Now therefore, let us go there. For perhaps he may tell us about our way, because of which we have arrived."
7. And Saul said to his servant: "Behold, let us go. But what will we bring to the man of God? The bread in our sacks has run out. And we have no small gift that we might give to the man of God, nor anything at all."
8. The servant again responded to Saul, and he said: "Behold, there is found in my hand a coin of the fourth part of a stater. Let us give it to the man of God, so that he may reveal to us our way."
9. (In past times, in Israel, anyone going to consult God would speak in this way, "Come, and let us go to the seer." For one who is called a prophet today, in past times was called a seer.)
10. And Saul said to his servant: "Your word is very good. Come, let us go." And they went into the city, where the man of God was.
11. And as they were ascending the slope to the city, they found some young women going out to draw water. And they said to them, "Is the seer here?"
12. And responding, they said to them: "He is. Behold, he is ahead of you. Hurry now. For he came into the city today, since there is a sacrifice for the people today, on the high place.
13. Upon entering the city, you should find him immediately, before he ascends to the high place for the meal. And the people will not eat until he has arrived. For he blesses the victim, and thereafter those who were called will eat. Now therefore, go up. For you will find him today."
14. And they ascended into the city. And as they were walking in the midst of the city, Samuel appeared, advancing to meet them, so that he might ascend to the high place.
15. Now the Lord had revealed to the ear of Samuel, one day before Saul had arrived, saying:
16. "Tomorrow, at the same hour that it is now, I will send to you a man from the land of Benjamin. And you shall anoint him to be the leader over my people Israel. And he will save my people from the hand of the Philistines. For I have looked with favor upon my people, because their outcry has reached me."
17. And when Samuel had caught sight of Saul, the Lord said to him: "Behold, the man about whom I spoke to you. This one shall rule over my people."