1Then Samuel took the flask of oil, poured it on Saul’s head, and kissed him, saying, “Hasn’t Yahweh anointed you to be ruler over his people, his inheritance?
2When you leave me today, you will find two men by Rachel’s tomb, on the border of Benjamin at Zelzah. They will tell you, ‘The donkeys you went to look for have been found. And now your father has stopped worrying about the donkeys and is worried about you, saying, “What can I do for my son?”’
3Then you will go on from there and come to the oak tree of Tabor. Three men going up to worship God at Bethel will meet you there. One will be carrying three young goats, another three loaves of bread, and another a bottle of wine.
4They will greet you and give you two loaves of bread, which you are to accept from them.
5After that, you will come to God's hill, where the Philistine military post is. When you arrive at the city, you will meet a group of prophets coming down from the place of worship. They will have a lute, a tambourine, a flute, and a harp, and they will be prophesying.
6Then the Spirit of Yahweh will powerfully come over you, and you will prophesy with them and be changed into a different person.
7When these signs happen to you, do whatever needs to be done, because God is with you.
8Go ahead of me to Gilgal. I will come down to you to offer burnt offerings and peace offerings. Wait seven days until I come to you and tell you what to do.
9As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God gave him a new heart, and all those signs happened that day.
10When they arrived at the hill, a group of prophets met him. The Spirit of God powerfully came over him, and he prophesied among them.
11Everyone who had known him before saw him prophesying with the prophets, and they said to each other, "What has happened to Kish's son? Is Saul also one of the prophets?"
12Someone from that place answered, "Who is their leader?" That is why it became a saying, "Is Saul also among the prophets?"
13When he finished prophesying, he went to the place of worship.
14Saul's uncle asked him and his servant, "Where did you go?" He replied, "To look for the donkeys. When we couldn't find them, we went to Samuel."
15Saul's uncle said, "Please tell me what Samuel told you."
16Saul told his uncle, "He plainly told us that the donkeys had been found." But he didn't tell his uncle anything about what Samuel had said concerning the kingdom.
17Samuel called the people together to Yahweh at Mizpah.
18He said to the people of Israel, "Yahweh, the God of Israel, says: 'I brought Israel up from Egypt, and I rescued you from the power of the Egyptians and from all the kingdoms that oppressed you.'
19But today you have rejected your God, who saves you from all your troubles and distresses. You have said to him, 'No! Appoint a king over us.' So now, present yourselves before Yahweh by your tribes and by your thousands.
20So Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel forward, and the tribe of Benjamin was chosen.
21He brought the tribe of Benjamin forward by their families, and the family of Matri was chosen. Then Saul, the son of Kish, was chosen. But when they looked for him, he couldn't be found.
22So they asked Yahweh again, "Is there still a man to come here?" Yahweh answered, "Look, he has hidden himself among the baggage."
23They ran and brought him from there. When he stood among the people, he was taller than anyone else, from his shoulders up.
24Samuel said to all the people, "Do you see the one Yahweh has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people." Then all the people shouted, "Long live the king!"
25Then Samuel explained the rules for the kingdom to the people, wrote them in a book, and placed it before Yahweh. Afterward, Samuel sent everyone home.
26Saul also went home to Gibeah, and brave men, whose hearts God had touched, went with him.
27But some worthless men stated, “How can this man save us?” They looked down on him and didn't bring him any gifts. However, Saul remained silent.