14. So Saul and his servant went to the city. As they entered it, Samuel was coming toward them on his way to the worship site.
15. Now, the Lord had revealed the following message to Samuel one day before Saul came:
16. “About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the territory of Benjamin. Anoint him to be ruler of my people Israel. He will save my people from the Philistines because I’ve seen my people’s ⌊suffering⌋ and their cry has come to me.”
17. When Samuel noticed Saul, the Lord told him, “There’s the man I told you about. This man will govern my people.”
18. Saul approached Samuel inside the gateway and said, “Please tell me where the seer’s house is.”
19. Samuel replied, “I’m the seer. Go ahead of me to the worship site. You will eat with me today. In the morning I’ll let you go after I tell you all that’s on your mind.
20. Don’t trouble yourself about the donkeys that were lost three days ago because they’ve been found. Who will have all that is desirable in Israel? Won’t it be you and your father’s family?”
21. Saul replied, “I am a man from the tribe of Benjamin, the smallest tribe of Israel. My family is the most insignificant of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin. So why are you saying such things to me?”
22. Samuel brought Saul and his servant to the banquet hall and had them sit at the head of the guests—about 30 people.
23. Samuel said to the cook, “Bring me the portion of the sacrificial meat that I gave you and told you to put aside.”
24. So the cook picked up the leg and thigh and laid it in front of Saul. Samuel said, “This was kept in order to be laid in front of you. Eat it. When I invited people to the feast, I set it aside for you.” Saul ate with Samuel that day.
25. Then they left the worship site for the city. They spread blankets on the roof for Saul, and he slept there.
26. At dawn Samuel called to Saul on the roof, “Get up! ⌊It’s time for⌋ me to send you away.” Saul got up, and both he and Samuel went outside.