The people would not listen to the words of Samuel. "We will have a
king," they said. "We will be like other nations. We will have a king,
and he shall go into battle with us."
And so it came about that from out their number a king was chosen.
Now, there was a man of the tribe of Benjamin, who had a son, named
Saul.
Saul was a tall, strong, brave, young man, and of him the Lord said to
Samuel, "If the Israelites have a king, let this man Saul be that king."
One day it chanced that the cattle belonging to Kish, Saul's father,
strayed away; and Kish said to Saul, "Take a servant with thee and go
and seek the cattle that have strayed."
So Saul took a servant, and they searched the country round about, going
great distances; still the cattle could not be found.
At last Saul said to the servant, "I am tired with this search. Let us
go back and tell my father all we have done."
Then the servant said, "There is a prophet living near this place into
which we have come. Let us seek him; for I am told he is most wise.
Perhaps he may help us to find our cattle."
"Let us go to him," Saul answered readily; and so the two men came into
the city where Samuel dwelt; for it was he they sought.
As they drew near the city, they met two young women coming to a well to
draw water.
"Tell me, is the prophet here?" Saul asked.
And the young women said, "Yes, to-day he offers sacrifice in the city.
First, he blesses the sacrifice, and then the people feast; and now he
is going towards the temple. Make haste and you will see him."
Saul and the servant hurried on towards the gate of the city; and there
they saw an old man, sitting alone.
"Tell us," said Saul, "where we may find the prophet Samuel."
And the old man answered, "I am Samuel. Come and feast with me; and
to-morrow thou shalt go. Grieve not about the cattle; already they are
found. But come with me, for I have much to tell thee. The desire of all
Israel is upon thee and upon thy father's house."
Then Saul said, "Why dost thou speak so to me? Knowest thou not that my
family is one of the least of the tribe of Benjamin?"
But Samuel knew; and he led Saul to his house and feasted him. And when
the feast was over, Samuel said to Saul, "The people of Israel desire a
king; and it is thou, Saul, whom the Lord has chosen to be that king."
[Illustration: SAMUEL BLESSING SAUL.]
Then, when morning came, Saul and his servant set out upon their journey
home; and Samuel went with them, even unto the city gates. Then Samuel
said to the servant, "Go on before. I would speak once more with Saul
alone." And when he had gone, Samuel poured oil upon the head of Saul
and kissed him, saying, "God has chosen thee to be king to rule over his
people in Israel."
Then Samuel went back to his home, and Saul went on his way. It was to
him a strange journey back to his home, for God had already given him
great wisdom and power. Already the gift of prophecy was his; and when
he met a company of prophets, he too prophesied with them of things to
come.
And the people wondered to hear Saul uttering prophecies. "What does
this mean?" they cried. "Is Saul also a prophet?"
But now Samuel called all the tribes of Israel together at Mizpah. "It
is your wish," he said, "that a king should be chosen to rule over you
and lead you forth into battle. Now, God is not pleased that you should
choose a king; for he was himself your king. Still, because it is your
wish, a king shall be chosen by God. And that man chosen shall be Saul."
"But where is Saul?" the people asked; for nowhere was Saul to be found.
Then the Lord told the people that Saul was hiding; and he bade them go
and search for him in that place which God should name.
The people obeyed, and Saul was found and brought before the people.
"Is this the man?" the people asked. And the Lord said, "This is the
man."
Then the people shouted, and Saul was made king over the Israelites.
Then Samuel said to the people, "Behold I am an old man. My hair is
white with age. All my life I have been with you, from the time when I
was a little child until now. Tell me, have I ever oppressed you, or
have I ever taken anything from you?"
And all the people shouted, "No! No! Never! Never have you oppressed us
or wronged us in any way!" For the people all loved Samuel, from the
oldest to the youngest.
"Wait, then," said Samuel, "and hear what I would say to you. Many years
ago God brought your fathers out of Israel and gave this land to them
for a possession.
"Often your fathers rebelled against God; and as often he sent
punishment upon them that they might turn back to him. Sisera and the
Philistines and the Moabites God sent to fight against the Israelites;
but whenever they repented and turned back, then He forgave them. Many
good captains He sent them,--Gideon, Jepthah and Samson.
"And now you have asked for a king, and God has given you one. And so
long as the king and his people are true to the one God, so long shall
His blessing be upon you."
And so ended that time in the history of the children of Israel when
they were content to be ruled over by Judges chosen by God; and of these
Judges, Samuel was the last.
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