15. The Lord had spoken to Samuel the day before Saul came. He had said,
16. "About this time tomorrow I will send you a man. He is from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him to be the leader of my people Israel. He will save them from the powerful hand of the Philistines. I have seen how much my people are suffering. Their cry for help has reached me."
17. When Samuel saw a man coming toward him, the Lord spoke to Samuel again. He said, "He is the man I told you about. His name is Saul. He will govern my people."
18. Saul approached Samuel at the gate of the town. He asked Samuel, "Can you please show me the house where the seer is staying?"
19. "I'm the seer," Samuel replied. "Go on up to the high place ahead of me. I want you and your servant to eat with me today. Tomorrow morning I'll tell you what's on your mind. Then I'll let you go.
20. Don't worry about the donkeys you lost three days ago. They've already been found. But who are all of the people of Israel longing for? You and your father's whole family!"
21. Saul answered, "But I'm from the tribe of Benjamin. It's the smallest tribe in Israel. And my family group is the least important in the whole tribe of Benjamin. So why are you saying that to me?"
22. Then Samuel brought Saul and his servant into the room where they would be eating. He seated them at the head table. About 30 people had been invited.
23. Samuel said to the cook, "Bring the piece of meat I gave you. It's the one I told you to put to one side."
24. So the cook went and got a choice piece of thigh. He set it in front of Saul. Samuel said, "Here is what has been kept for you. Eat it. It was put to one side for you for this special occasion. We've saved it for you ever since I invited the guests." And Saul ate with Samuel that day.
25. They came down from the high place to the town. After that, Samuel talked with Saul on the roof of Samuel's house.
26. The next day they got up at about the time the sun was rising. Samuel called out to Saul on the roof. He said, "Get ready. Then I'll send you on your way." So Saul got ready. And he and Samuel went outside together.