19. But you have today rejected your God, who himself saves you out of all your calamities and your distresses; and you have said to him, ‘No! Set a king over us.’ Now therefore present yourselves before the Lord by your tribes, and by your thousands.”
20. So Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was chosen.
21. He brought the tribe of Benjamin near by their families; and the family of the Matrites was chosen. Then Saul the son of Kish was chosen; but when they looked for him, he could not be found.
22. Therefore they asked of the Lord further, “Is there yet a man to come here?”The Lord answered, “Behold, he has hidden himself amongst the baggage.”
23. They ran and got him there. When he stood amongst the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward.
24. Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see him whom the Lord has chosen, that there is no one like him amongst all the people?”All the people shouted, and said, “Long live the king!”
25. Then Samuel told the people the regulations of the kingdom, and wrote it in a book, and laid it up before the Lord. Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house.
26. Saul also went to his house to Gibeah; and the army went with him, whose hearts God had touched.
27. But certain worthless fellows said, “How could this man save us?” They despised him, and brought him no present. But he held his peace.