8. Again the servant answered Saul, “I have a quarter shekel of silver. If I give that to the man of God, he will advise us about the journey.”
9. (In former times in Israel, anyone who went to consult God used to say, “Come, let us go to the seer.” For the one who is now called prophet was formerly called seer.)
10. Saul then said to his servant, “You are right! Come on, let us go!” So they headed toward the city where the man of God lived.
11. As they were going up the path to the city, they met some young women coming out to draw water and they asked them, “Is the seer in town?”
12. The young women answered, “Yes, there—straight ahead. Hurry now; just today he came to the city, because the people have a sacrifice today on the high place.
13. When you enter the city, you may reach him before he goes up to the high place to eat. The people will not eat until he arrives; only after he blesses the sacrifice will the invited guests eat. Go up immediately, for you should find him right now.”
14. So they went up to the city. As they entered it—there was Samuel coming toward them on his way to the high place.
15. The day before Saul’s arrival, the Lord had revealed to Samuel:
16. At this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin whom you are to anoint as ruler of my people Israel. He shall save my people from the hand of the Philistines. I have looked upon my people; their cry has come to me.
17. When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the Lord assured him: This is the man I told you about; he shall govern my people.
18. Saul met Samuel in the gateway and said, “Please tell me where the seer lives.”
19. Samuel answered Saul: “I am the seer. Go up ahead of me to the high place and eat with me today. In the morning, before letting you go, I will tell you everything on your mind.
20. As for your donkeys that were lost three days ago, do not worry about them, for they have been found. Whom should Israel want if not you and your father’s family?”
21. Saul replied: “Am I not a Benjaminite, from the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and is not my clan the least among the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why say such things to me?”
22. Samuel then took Saul and his servant and brought them into the room. He seated them at the head of the guests, of whom there were about thirty.
23. He said to the cook, “Bring the portion I gave you and told you to put aside.”
24. So the cook took up the leg and what went with it, and placed it before Saul. Samuel said: “This is a reserved portion that is set before you. Eat, for it was kept for you until this time; I explained that I was inviting some guests.” Thus Saul dined with Samuel that day.
25. When they came down from the high place into the city, a mattress was spread for Saul on the roof,
26. and he slept there. At daybreak Samuel called to Saul on the roof, “Get up, and I will send you on your way.” Saul got up, and he and Samuel went outside the city together.
27. As they were approaching the edge of the town, Samuel said to Saul, “Tell the servant to go on ahead of us, but you stay here for a moment, that I may give you a word from God.”