16
And Saul said unto his uncle: 'He told us plainly that the asses were found.' But concerning the matter of the kingdom, whereof Samuel spoke, he told him not.
17
And Samuel called the people together unto HaShem to Mizpah.
18
And he said unto the children of Israel: 'Thus saith HaShem, the G-d of Israel: I brought up Israel out of Egypt, and I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all the kingdoms that oppressed you.
19
But ye have this day rejected your G-d, who Himself saveth you out of all your calamities and your distresses; and ye have said unto Him: Nay, but set a king over us. Now therefore present yourselves before HaShem by your tribes, and by your thousands.'
20
So Samuel brought all the tribes of Israel near, and the tribe of Benjamin was taken.
21
And he brought the tribe of Benjamin near by their families, and the family of the Matrites was taken; and Saul the son of Kish was taken; but when they sought him, he could not be found.
22
Therefore they asked of HaShem further: 'Is there yet a man come hither?' And HaShem answered: 'Behold, he hath hid himself among the baggage.'
23
And they ran and fetched him thence; and when he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward.
24
And Samuel said to all the people: 'See ye him whom HaShem hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people?' And all the people shouted, and said: 'Long live the king.'
25
Then Samuel told the people the manner of the kingdom, and wrote it in a book, and laid it up before HaShem. And Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house.
26
And Saul also went to his house to Gibeah; and there went with him the men of valour, whose hearts G-d had touched.
27
But certain base fellows said: 'How shall this man save us?' And they despised him, and brought him no present. But he was as one that held his peace.