13. After Saul stopped prophesying, he went to the place of worship.
14. Later, Saul's uncle asked him, “Where have you been?”Saul answered, “Looking for the donkeys. We couldn't find them, so we went to talk with Samuel.”
15. “And what did he tell you?” Saul's uncle asked.
16. Saul answered, “He told us the donkeys had been found.” But Saul didn't mention that Samuel had chosen him to be king.
17. Samuel sent messengers to tell the Israelites to come to Mizpah and meet with the Lord.
18. When everyone had arrived, Samuel said:The Lord God of Israel told me to remind you that he had rescued you from the Egyptians and from the other nations that abused you.
19. God has rescued you from your troubles and hard times. But you have rejected your God and have asked for a king. Now each tribe and clan must come near the place of worship so the Lord can choose a king.
20. Samuel brought each tribe, one after the other, to the altar, and the Lord chose the Benjamin tribe.
21. Next, Samuel brought each clan of Benjamin there, and the Lord chose the Matri clan. Finally, Saul the son of Kish was chosen. But when they looked for him, he was nowhere to be found.
22. The people prayed, “Our Lord, is Saul here?”“Yes,” the Lord answered, “he is hiding behind the baggage.”