17. When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the Lord said to him, “This is the man I told you about. He will rule my people.”
18. Then Saul went over to Samuel, who was near the gate, and asked, “Tell me, where does the seer live?”
19. Samuel answered, “I am the seer. Go on ahead of me to the place of worship. Both of you are to eat with me today. Tomorrow morning I will answer all your questions and send you on your way.
20. As for the donkeys that were lost three days ago, don't worry about them; they have already been found. But who is it that the people of Israel want so much? It is you — you and your father's family.”
21. Saul answered, “I belong to the tribe of Benjamin, the smallest tribe in Israel, and my family is the least important one in the tribe. Why, then, do you talk like this to me?”
22. Then Samuel led Saul and his servant into the large room and gave them a place at the head of the table where the guests, about thirty in all, were seated.
23. Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the piece of meat I gave you, which I told you to set aside.”
24. So the cook brought the choice piece of the leg and placed it before Saul. Samuel said, “Look, here is the piece that was kept for you. Eat it. I saved it for you to eat at this time with the people I invited.”So Saul ate with Samuel that day.
25. When they went down from the place of worship to the town, they made up a bed for Saul on the roof,