Antiquities Book 6, Chapter 4
The Appointment Of A King Over The Israelites, Whose Name Was Saul; And This By The Command Of God.
1. Ther was one of the tribe of Benjamin, a man of a good family, and of
a virtuous disposition; his name was Kish. He had a son, a young man of
a comely countenance, and of a tall body, but his understanding and his
mind were preferable to what was visible in him: they called him Saul.
Now this Kish had some fine she-asses that were wandered out of the
pasture wherein they fed, for he was more delighted with these than with
any other cattle he had; so he sent out his son, and one servant with
him, to search for the beasts; but when he had gone over his own tribe
in search after the asses, he went to other tribes, and when he found
them not there neither, he determined to go his way home, lest he should
occasion any concern to his father about himself. But when his servant
that followed him told him as they were near the city of Ramah, that
there was a true prophet in that city, and advised him to go to him, for
that by him they should know the upshot of the affair of their asses, he
replied, That if they should go to him, they had nothing to give him as
a reward for his prophecy, for their subsistence money was spent. The
servant answered, that he had still the fourth part of a shekel, and he
would present him with that; for they were mistaken out of ignorance, as
not knowing that the prophet received no such reward 6 So they went to
him; and when they were before the gates, they lit upon certain maidens
that were going to fetch water, and they asked them which was the
prophet's house. They showed them which it was; and bid them make haste
before he sat down to supper, for he had invited many guests to a feast,
and that he used to sit down before those that were invited. Now Samuel
had then gathered many together to feast with him on this very account;
for while he every day prayed to God to tell him beforehand whom he
would make king, he had informed him of this man the day before, for
that he would send him a certain young man out of the tribe of Benjamin
about this hour of the day; and he sat on the top of the house in
expectation of that time's being come. And when the time was completed,
he came down and went to supper; so he met with Saul, and God discovered
to him that this was he who should rule over them. Then Saul went up to
Samuel and saluted him, and desired him to inform him which was the
prophet's house; for he said he was a stranger and did not know it. When
Samuel had told him that he himself was the person, he led him in to
supper, and assured him that the asses were found which he had been to
seek, and that the greatest of good things were assured to him: he
replied, "I am too inconsiderable to hope for any such thing, and of a
tribe to small to have kings made out of it, and of a family smaller
than several other families; but thou tellest me this in jest, and
makest me an object of laughter, when thou discoursest with me of
greater matters than what I stand in need of." However, the prophet led
him in to the feast, and made him sit down, him and his servant that
followed him, above the other guests that were invited, which were
seventy in number 7 and he gave orders to the servants to set the royal
portion before Saul. And when the time of going to bed was come, the
rest rose up, and every one of them went home; but Saul staid with the
prophet, he and his servant, and slept with him.
2. Now as soon as it was day, Samuel raised up Saul out of his bed, and
conducted him homeward; and when he was out of the city, he desired him
to cause his servant to go before, but to stay behind himself, for that
he had somewhat to say to him when nobody else was present. Accordingly,
Saul sent away his servant that followed him; then did the prophet take
a vessel of oil, and poured it upon the head of the young man, and
kissed him, and said, "Be thou a king, by the ordination of God, against
the Philistines, and for avenging the Hebrews for what they have
suffered by them; of this thou shalt have a sign, which I would have
thee take notice of:—As soon as thou art departed hence, thou will find
three men upon the road, going to worship God at Bethel; the first of
whom thou wilt see carrying three loaves of bread, the second carrying a
kid of the goats, and the third will follow them carrying a bottle of
wine. These three men will salute thee, and speak kindly to thee, and
will give thee two of their loaves, which thou shalt accept of. And
thence thou shalt come to a place called Rachel's Monument, where thou
shalt meet with those that will tell thee thy asses are found; after
this, when thou comest to Gabatha, thou shalt overtake a company of
prophets, and thou shalt be seized with the Divine Spirit, 8 and
prophesy along with them, till every one that sees thee shall be
astonished, and wonder, and say, Whence is it that the son of Kish has
arrived at this degree of happiness? And when these signs have happened
to thee, know that God is with thee; then do thou salute thy father and
thy kindred. Thou shalt also come when I send for thee to Gilgal, that
we may offer thank-offerings to God for these blessings." When Samuel
had said this, and foretold these things, he sent the young man away.
Now all things fell out to Saul according to the prophecy of Samuel.
3. But as soon as Saul came into the house of his kinsman Abner, whom
indeed he loved better than the rest of his relations, he was asked by
him concerning his journey, and what accidents happened to him therein;
and he concealed none of the other things from him, no, not his coming
to Samuel the prophet, nor how he told him the asses were found; but he
said nothing to him about the kingdom, and what belonged thereto, which
he thought would procure him envy, and when such things are heard, they
are not easily believed; nor did he think it prudent to tell those
things to him, although he appeared very friendly to him, and one whom
he loved above the rest of his relations, considering, I suppose, what
human nature really is, that no one is a firm friend, neither among our
intimates, nor of our kindred; nor do they preserve that kind
disposition when God advances men to great prosperity, but they are
still ill-natured and envious at those that are in eminent stations.
4. Then Samuel called the people together to the city Mizpeh, and spake
to them in the words following, which he said he was to speak by the
command of God:—That when he had granted them a state of liberty, and
brought their enemies into subjection, they were become unmindful of his
benefits, and rejected God that he should not be their King, as not
considering that it would be most for their advantage to be presided
over by the best of beings, for God is the best of beings, and they
chose to have a man for their king; while kings will use their subjects
as beasts, according to the violence of their own wills and
inclinations, and other passions, as wholly carried away with the lust
of power, but will not endeavor so to preserve the race of mankind as
his own workmanship and creation, which, for that very reason, God would
take cake of. "But since you have come to a fixed resolution, and this
injurious treatment of God has quite prevailed over you, dispose
yourselves by your tribes and scepters, and cast lots."
5. When the Hebrews had so done, the lot fell upon the tribe of
Benjamin; and when the lot was cast for the families of this tribe, that
which was called Matri was taken; and when the lot was cast for the
single persons of that family, Saul, the son of Kish, was taken for
their king. When the young man knew this, he prevented [their sending
for him], and immediately went away and hid himself. I suppose that it
was because he would not have it thought that he willingly took the
government upon him; nay, he showed such a degree of command over
himself, and of modesty, that while the greatest part are not able to
contain their joy, even in the gaining of small advantages, but
presently show themselves publicly to all men, this man did not only
show nothing of that nature, when he was appointed to be the lord of so
many and so great tribes, but crept away and concealed himself out of
the sight of those he was to reign over, and made them seek him, and
that with a good deal of trouble. So when the people were at a loss, and
solicitous, because Saul disappeared, the prophet besought God to show
where the young man was, and to produce him before them. So when they
had learned of God the place where Saul was hidden, they sent men to
bring him; and when he was come, they set him in the midst of the
multitude. Now he was taller than any of them, and his stature was very
majestic.
6. Then said the prophet, "God gives you this man to be your king: see
how he is higher than any of the people, and worthy of this dominion."
So as soon as the people had made acclamation, God save the king, the
prophet wrote down what would come to pass in a book, and read it in the
hearing of the king, and laid up the book in the tabernacle of God, to
be a witness to future generations of what he had foretold. So when
Samuel had finished this matter, he dismissed the multitude, and came
himself to the city Rainah, for it was his own country. Saul also went
away to Gibeah, where he was born; and many good men there were who paid
him the respect that was due to him; but the greater part were ill men,
who despised him and derided the others, who neither did bring him
presents, nor did they in affection, or even in words, regard to please
him.
a virtuous disposition; his name was Kish. He had a son, a young man of
a comely countenance, and of a tall body, but his understanding and his
mind were preferable to what was visible in him: they called him Saul.
Now this Kish had some fine she-asses that were wandered out of the
pasture wherein they fed, for he was more delighted with these than with
any other cattle he had; so he sent out his son, and one servant with
him, to search for the beasts; but when he had gone over his own tribe
in search after the asses, he went to other tribes, and when he found
them not there neither, he determined to go his way home, lest he should
occasion any concern to his father about himself. But when his servant
that followed him told him as they were near the city of Ramah, that
there was a true prophet in that city, and advised him to go to him, for
that by him they should know the upshot of the affair of their asses, he
replied, That if they should go to him, they had nothing to give him as
a reward for his prophecy, for their subsistence money was spent. The
servant answered, that he had still the fourth part of a shekel, and he
would present him with that; for they were mistaken out of ignorance, as
not knowing that the prophet received no such reward 6 So they went to
him; and when they were before the gates, they lit upon certain maidens
that were going to fetch water, and they asked them which was the
prophet's house. They showed them which it was; and bid them make haste
before he sat down to supper, for he had invited many guests to a feast,
and that he used to sit down before those that were invited. Now Samuel
had then gathered many together to feast with him on this very account;
for while he every day prayed to God to tell him beforehand whom he
would make king, he had informed him of this man the day before, for
that he would send him a certain young man out of the tribe of Benjamin
about this hour of the day; and he sat on the top of the house in
expectation of that time's being come. And when the time was completed,
he came down and went to supper; so he met with Saul, and God discovered
to him that this was he who should rule over them. Then Saul went up to
Samuel and saluted him, and desired him to inform him which was the
prophet's house; for he said he was a stranger and did not know it. When
Samuel had told him that he himself was the person, he led him in to
supper, and assured him that the asses were found which he had been to
seek, and that the greatest of good things were assured to him: he
replied, "I am too inconsiderable to hope for any such thing, and of a
tribe to small to have kings made out of it, and of a family smaller
than several other families; but thou tellest me this in jest, and
makest me an object of laughter, when thou discoursest with me of
greater matters than what I stand in need of." However, the prophet led
him in to the feast, and made him sit down, him and his servant that
followed him, above the other guests that were invited, which were
seventy in number 7 and he gave orders to the servants to set the royal
portion before Saul. And when the time of going to bed was come, the
rest rose up, and every one of them went home; but Saul staid with the
prophet, he and his servant, and slept with him.
2. Now as soon as it was day, Samuel raised up Saul out of his bed, and
conducted him homeward; and when he was out of the city, he desired him
to cause his servant to go before, but to stay behind himself, for that
he had somewhat to say to him when nobody else was present. Accordingly,
Saul sent away his servant that followed him; then did the prophet take
a vessel of oil, and poured it upon the head of the young man, and
kissed him, and said, "Be thou a king, by the ordination of God, against
the Philistines, and for avenging the Hebrews for what they have
suffered by them; of this thou shalt have a sign, which I would have
thee take notice of:—As soon as thou art departed hence, thou will find
three men upon the road, going to worship God at Bethel; the first of
whom thou wilt see carrying three loaves of bread, the second carrying a
kid of the goats, and the third will follow them carrying a bottle of
wine. These three men will salute thee, and speak kindly to thee, and
will give thee two of their loaves, which thou shalt accept of. And
thence thou shalt come to a place called Rachel's Monument, where thou
shalt meet with those that will tell thee thy asses are found; after
this, when thou comest to Gabatha, thou shalt overtake a company of
prophets, and thou shalt be seized with the Divine Spirit, 8 and
prophesy along with them, till every one that sees thee shall be
astonished, and wonder, and say, Whence is it that the son of Kish has
arrived at this degree of happiness? And when these signs have happened
to thee, know that God is with thee; then do thou salute thy father and
thy kindred. Thou shalt also come when I send for thee to Gilgal, that
we may offer thank-offerings to God for these blessings." When Samuel
had said this, and foretold these things, he sent the young man away.
Now all things fell out to Saul according to the prophecy of Samuel.
3. But as soon as Saul came into the house of his kinsman Abner, whom
indeed he loved better than the rest of his relations, he was asked by
him concerning his journey, and what accidents happened to him therein;
and he concealed none of the other things from him, no, not his coming
to Samuel the prophet, nor how he told him the asses were found; but he
said nothing to him about the kingdom, and what belonged thereto, which
he thought would procure him envy, and when such things are heard, they
are not easily believed; nor did he think it prudent to tell those
things to him, although he appeared very friendly to him, and one whom
he loved above the rest of his relations, considering, I suppose, what
human nature really is, that no one is a firm friend, neither among our
intimates, nor of our kindred; nor do they preserve that kind
disposition when God advances men to great prosperity, but they are
still ill-natured and envious at those that are in eminent stations.
4. Then Samuel called the people together to the city Mizpeh, and spake
to them in the words following, which he said he was to speak by the
command of God:—That when he had granted them a state of liberty, and
brought their enemies into subjection, they were become unmindful of his
benefits, and rejected God that he should not be their King, as not
considering that it would be most for their advantage to be presided
over by the best of beings, for God is the best of beings, and they
chose to have a man for their king; while kings will use their subjects
as beasts, according to the violence of their own wills and
inclinations, and other passions, as wholly carried away with the lust
of power, but will not endeavor so to preserve the race of mankind as
his own workmanship and creation, which, for that very reason, God would
take cake of. "But since you have come to a fixed resolution, and this
injurious treatment of God has quite prevailed over you, dispose
yourselves by your tribes and scepters, and cast lots."
5. When the Hebrews had so done, the lot fell upon the tribe of
Benjamin; and when the lot was cast for the families of this tribe, that
which was called Matri was taken; and when the lot was cast for the
single persons of that family, Saul, the son of Kish, was taken for
their king. When the young man knew this, he prevented [their sending
for him], and immediately went away and hid himself. I suppose that it
was because he would not have it thought that he willingly took the
government upon him; nay, he showed such a degree of command over
himself, and of modesty, that while the greatest part are not able to
contain their joy, even in the gaining of small advantages, but
presently show themselves publicly to all men, this man did not only
show nothing of that nature, when he was appointed to be the lord of so
many and so great tribes, but crept away and concealed himself out of
the sight of those he was to reign over, and made them seek him, and
that with a good deal of trouble. So when the people were at a loss, and
solicitous, because Saul disappeared, the prophet besought God to show
where the young man was, and to produce him before them. So when they
had learned of God the place where Saul was hidden, they sent men to
bring him; and when he was come, they set him in the midst of the
multitude. Now he was taller than any of them, and his stature was very
majestic.
6. Then said the prophet, "God gives you this man to be your king: see
how he is higher than any of the people, and worthy of this dominion."
So as soon as the people had made acclamation, God save the king, the
prophet wrote down what would come to pass in a book, and read it in the
hearing of the king, and laid up the book in the tabernacle of God, to
be a witness to future generations of what he had foretold. So when
Samuel had finished this matter, he dismissed the multitude, and came
himself to the city Rainah, for it was his own country. Saul also went
away to Gibeah, where he was born; and many good men there were who paid
him the respect that was due to him; but the greater part were ill men,
who despised him and derided the others, who neither did bring him
presents, nor did they in affection, or even in words, regard to please
him.