8. The servant answered Saul again, and said, “Behold, I have in my hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver. I will give that to the man of God, to tell us our way.”
9. (In earlier times in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he said, “Come! Let’s go to the seer;” for he who is now called a prophet was before called a seer.)
10. Then Saul said to his servant, “Well said. Come! Let’s go.” So they went to the city where the man of God was.
11. As they went up the ascent to the city, they found young maidens going out to draw water, and said to them, “Is the seer here?”
12. They answered them, and said, “He is. Behold, he is before you. Hurry now, for he has come today into the city; for the people have a sacrifice today in the high place.
13. As soon as you have come into the city, you will immediately find him, before he goes up to the high place to eat; for the people will not eat until he comes, because he blesses the sacrifice. Afterwards those who are invited eat. Now therefore go up; for at this time you will find him.”
14. They went up to the city. As they came within the city, behold, Samuel came out toward them, to go up to the high place.
15. Now the Lord had revealed to Samuel a day before Saul came, saying,
16. “Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man out of the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel. He will save my people out of the hand of the Philistines; for I have looked upon my people, because their cry has come to me.”
17. When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord said to him, “Behold, the man of whom I spoke to you! He will have authority over my people.”
18. Then Saul approached Samuel in the gateway, and said, “Please tell me where the seer’s house is.”
19. Samuel answered Saul, and said, “I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for you are to eat with me today. In the morning I will let you go, and will tell you all that is in your heart.
20. As for your donkeys who were lost three days ago, don’t set your mind on them; for they have been found. For whom is all that is desirable in Israel? Is it not for you, and for all your father’s house?”
21. Saul answered, “Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? And my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? Why then do you speak to me like this?”
22. Samuel took Saul and his servant, and brought them into the guest room, and made them sit in the best place among those who were invited, who were about thirty persons.
23. Samuel said to the cook, “Bring the portion which I gave you, of which I said to you, ‘Set it aside.’”