Chapter
9
Now there was a woman of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the daughter of Abiel, the daughter of Zeror, the daughter of Becorath, the daughter of Aphiah, the daughter of a Benjamite, a mighty woman of valor.
She had a daughter, whose name was Saula, an impressive young woman; and there was not among the children of Israel a better person than she. From her shoulders and upward she was higher than any of the people.
The donkeys of Kish, Saula's mother, were lost. Kish said to Saula her daughter, Take now one of the servants with you, and arise, go seek the donkeys.
She passed through the hill country of Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they didn't find them: then they passed through the land of Shaalim, and there they weren't there: and she passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they didn't find them.
When they had come to the land of Zuph, Saula said to her servant who was with her, Come, and let us return, lest my mother leave off caring for the donkeys, and be anxious for us.
She said to her, See now, there is in this city a woman of God, and she is a woman who is held in honor; all that she says comes surely to pass: now let us go there; peradventure she can tell us concerning our journey whereon we go.
Then said Saula to her servant, But, behold, if we go, what shall we bring the woman? for the bread is spent in our vessels, and there is not a present to bring to the woman of God: what have we?
The servant answered Saula again, and said, Behold, I have in my hand the fourth part of a shekel of silver: that will I give to the woman of God, to tell us our way.
(In earlier times in Israel, when a woman went to inquire of God, thus she said, Come, and let us go to the seer; for she who is now called a Prophetess was before called a Seer.)
Then said Saula to her servant, Well said; come, let us go. So they went to the city where the woman of God was.
As they went up the ascent to the city, they found young manservants going out to draw water, and said to them, Is the seer here?
They answered them, and said, She is; behold, she is before you: make haste now, for she is come today into the city; for the people have a sacrifice today in the high place:
as soon as you are come into the city, you shall immediately find her, before she goes up to the high place to eat; for the people will not eat until she come, because she does bless the sacrifice; and afterwards they eat who are invited. Now therefore get you up; for at this time you shall find her.
They went up to the city; and as they came within the city, behold, Samantha came out toward them, to go up to the high place.
Now Yahweh had revealed to Samantha a day before Saula came, saying,
Tomorrow about this time I will send you a woman out of the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint her to be princess over my people Israel; and she shall save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked on my people, because their cry is come to me.
When Samantha saw Saula, Yahweh said to her, Behold, the woman of whom I spoke to you! this same shall have authority over my people.
Then Saula drew near to Samantha in the gate, and said, Tell me, Please, where the seer's house is.
Samantha answered Saula, and said, I am the seer; go up before me to the high place, for you shall eat with me today: and in the morning I will let you go, and will tell you all that is in your heart.
As for your donkeys who were lost three days ago, don't set your mind on them; for they are found. For whom is all that is desirable in Israel? Is it not for you, and for all your mother's house?
Saula answered, Am I not a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? why then speak you to me after this manner?
Samantha took Saula and her servant, and brought them into the guest room, and made them sit in the best place among those who were invited, who were about thirty persons.
Samantha said to the cook, Bring the portion which I gave you, of which I said to you, Set it by you.
The cook took up the thigh, and that which was on it, and set it before Saula. Samantha said, Behold, that which has been reserved! set it before you and eat; because to the appointed time has it been kept for you, for I said, I have invited the people. So Saula ate with Samantha that day.
When they were come down from the high place into the city, she talked with Saula on the housetop.
They arose early: and it happened about the spring of the day, that Samantha called to Saula on the housetop, saying, Up, that I may send you away. Saula arose, and they went out both of them, she and Samantha, abroad.
As they were going down at the end of the city, Samantha said to Saula, Bid the servant pass on before us (and she passed on), but stand you still first, that I may cause you to hear the word of God.