1 Samuel 8:5   (Read all of 1 Samuel 8)

They said to him, "You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have."

1 Samuel 8:7   (Read all of 1 Samuel 8)

And the Lord told him: "Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king.

1 Samuel 8:8   (Read all of 1 Samuel 8)

As they have done from the day I brought them up out of Egypt until this day, forsaking me and serving other gods, so they are doing to you.

1 Samuel 8:11   (Read all of 1 Samuel 8)

He said, "This is what the king who will reign over you will claim as his rights: He will take your sons and make them serve with his chariots and horses, and they will run in front of his chariots.

1 Samuel 8:13   (Read all of 1 Samuel 8)

He will take your daughters to be perfumers and cooks and bakers.

1 Samuel 8:14   (Read all of 1 Samuel 8)

He will take the best of your fields and vineyards and olive groves and give them to his attendants.

1 Samuel 8:15   (Read all of 1 Samuel 8)

He will take a tenth of your grain and of your vintage and give it to his officials and attendants.

1 Samuel 8:16   (Read all of 1 Samuel 8)

Your male and female servants and the best of your cattle and donkeys he will take for his own use.

1 Samuel 8:17   (Read all of 1 Samuel 8)

He will take a tenth of your flocks, and you yourselves will become his slaves.

1 Samuel 8:18   (Read all of 1 Samuel 8)

When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, but the Lord will not answer you in that day."

1 Samuel 8:22   (Read all of 1 Samuel 8)

The Lord answered, "Listen to them and give them a king." Then Samuel said to the Israelites, "Everyone go back to your own town."

1 Samuel 9:2   (Read all of 1 Samuel 9)

Kish had a son named Saul, as handsome a young man as could be found anywhere in Israel, and he was a head taller than anyone else.

1 Samuel 9:3   (Read all of 1 Samuel 9)

Now the donkeys belonging to Saul's father Kish were lost, and Kish said to his son Saul, "Take one of the servants with you and go and look for the donkeys."

1 Samuel 9:11   (Read all of 1 Samuel 9)

As they were going up the hill to the town, they met some young women coming out to draw water, and they asked them, "Is the seer here?"

1 Samuel 9:12   (Read all of 1 Samuel 9)

"He is," they answered. "He's ahead of you. Hurry now; he has just come to our town today, for the people have a sacrifice at the high place.

1 Samuel 9:13   (Read all of 1 Samuel 9)

As soon as you enter the town, you will find him before he goes up to the high place to eat. The people will not begin eating until he comes, because he must bless the sacrifice; afterward, those who are invited will eat. Go up now; you should find him about this time."

1 Samuel 9:16   (Read all of 1 Samuel 9)

"About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him ruler over my people Israel; he will deliver them from the hand of the Philistines. I have looked on my people, for their cry has reached me."

1 Samuel 9:17   (Read all of 1 Samuel 9)

When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the Lord said to him, "This is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people."

1 Samuel 9:18   (Read all of 1 Samuel 9)

Saul approached Samuel in the gateway and asked, "Would you please tell me where the seer's house is?"

1 Samuel 9:19   (Read all of 1 Samuel 9)

"I am the seer," Samuel replied. "Go up ahead of me to the high place, for today you are to eat with me, and in the morning I will send you on your way and will tell you all that is in your heart.

1 Samuel 9:20   (Read all of 1 Samuel 9)

As for the donkeys you lost three days ago, do not worry about them; they have been found. And to whom is all the desire of Israel turned, if not to you and your whole family line?"

1 Samuel 9:21   (Read all of 1 Samuel 9)

Saul answered, "But am I not a Benjamite, from the smallest tribe of Israel, and is not my clan the least of all the clans of the tribe of Benjamin? Why do you say such a thing to me?"

1 Samuel 9:23   (Read all of 1 Samuel 9)

Samuel said to the cook, "Bring the piece of meat I gave you, the one I told you to lay aside."

1 Samuel 9:24   (Read all of 1 Samuel 9)

So the cook took up the thigh with what was on it and set it in front of Saul. Samuel said, "Here is what has been kept for you. Eat, because it was set aside for you for this occasion from the time I said, 'I have invited guests.' " And Saul dined with Samuel that day.