demonstration how some children are not of the like dispositions
with their parents； but sometimes perhaps good and moderate；
though born of wicked parents； and sometimes showing themselves
to be wicked； though born of good parents： for these men turning
aside from their father's good courses； and taking a course that
was contrary to them； perverted justice for the 'filthy lucre of
gifts and bribes； and made their determinations not according to
truth； but according to bribery； and turned aside to luxury； and
a costly way of living； so that as； in the first place； they
practiced what was contrary to the will of God； so did they； in
the second place； what was contrary to the will of the prophet
their father； who had taken a great deal of care； and made a very
careful provision that the multitude should be righteous。
3。 But the people； upon these injuries offered to their former
constitution and government by the prophet's sons； were very
uneasy at their actions； and came running to the prophet； who
then lived at the city Ramah； and informed him of the
transgressions of his sons； and said； That as he was himself old
already； and too infirm by that age of his to oversee their
affairs in the manner he used to do； so they begged of him； and
entreated him； to appoint some person to be king over them； who
might rule over the nation； and avenge them of the Philistines；
who ought to be punished for their former oppressions。 These
words greatly afflicted Samuel； on account of his innate love of
justice； and his hatred to kingly government； for he was very
fond of an aristocracy； as what made the men that used it of a
divine and happy disposition； nor could he either think of eating
or sleeping； out of his concern and torment of mind at what they
had said； but all the night long did he continue awake and
revolved these notions in his mind。
4。 While he was thus disposed； God appeared to him； and comforted
him； saying； That he ought not to be uneasy at what the multitude
desired； because it was not he； but Himself whom they so
insolently despised； and would not have to be alone their king；
that they had been contriving these things from the very day that
they came out of Egypt； that however。 in no long time they would
sorely repent of what they did； which repentance yet could not
undo what was thus done for futurity； that they would be
sufficiently rebuked for their contempt； and the ungrateful
conduct they have used towards me； and towards thy prophetic
office。 〃So I command thee to ordain them such a one as I shall
name beforehand to be their king； when thou hast first described
what mischiefs kingly government will bring upon them； and openly
testified before them into what a great change of affairs they
are hasting。〃
5。 When Samuel had heard this； he called the Jews early in the
morning； and confessed to them that he was to ordain them a king；
but he said that he was first to describe to them what would
follow； what treatment they would receive from their kings； and
with how many mischiefs they must struggle。 〃For know ye；〃 said
he； 〃that； in the first place； they will take your sons away from
you； and they will command some of them to be drivers of their
chariots； and some to be their horsemen； and the guards of their
body； and others of them to be runners before them； and captains
of thousands； and captains of hundreds； they will also make them
their artificers； makers of armor； and of chariots； and of
instruments； they will make them their husbandmen also； and the
curators of their own fields； and the diggers of their own
vineyards； nor will there be any thing which they will not do at
their commands； as if they were slaves bought with money。 They
will also appoint your daughters to be confectioners； and cooks；
and bakers； and these will be obliged to do all sorts of work
which women slaves； that are in fear of stripes and torments；
submit to。 They will； besides this； take away your possessions；
and bestow them upon their eunuchs； and the guards of their
bodies； and will give the herds of your cattle to their own
servants： and to say briefly all at once； you； and all that is
yours； will be servants to your king； and will become no way
superior to his slaves； and when you suffer thus； you will
thereby be put in mind of what I now say。 And when you repent of
what you have done； you will beseech God to have mercy upon you；
and to grant you a quick deliverance from your kings； but he will
not accept your prayers； but will neglect you； and permit you to
suffer the punishment your evil conduct has deserved。〃
6。 But the multitude was still so foolish as to be deaf to these
predictions of what would befall them； and too peevish to suffer
a determination which they had injudiciously once made； to be
taken out of their mind； for they could not be turned from their
purpose； nor did they regard the words of Samuel； but
peremptorily insisted on their resolution； and desired him to
ordain them a king immediately； and not trouble himself with
fears of what would happen hereafter； for that it was necessary
they should have with them one to fight their battles； and to
avenge them of their enemies； and that it was no way absurd； when
their neighbors were under kingly government； that they should
have the same form of government also。 So when Samuel saw that
what he had said had not diverted them from their purpose； but
that they continued resolute； he said； 〃Go you every one home for
the present； when it is fit I will send for you； as soon as I
shall have learned from God who it is that he will give you for
your king。〃
CHAPTER 4。
The Appointment Of A King Over The Israelites； Whose Name Was
Saul； And This By The Command Of God。
1。 Ther was one of the tribe of Benjamin； a man of a good family；
and of a virtuous disposition； his name was Kish。 He had a son； a
young man of a comely countenance； and of a tall body； but his
understanding and his mind were preferable to what was visible in
him： they called him Saul。 Now this Kish had some fine she…asses
that were wandered out of the pasture wherein they fed； for he
was more delighted with these than with any other cattle he had；
so he sent out his son； and one servant with him； to search for
the beasts； but when he had gone over his own tribe in search
after the asses； he went to other tribes； and when he found them
not there neither； he determined to go his way home； lest he
should occasion any concern to his father about himself。 But when
his servant that followed him told him as they were near the city
of Ramah； that there was a true prophet in that city； and advised
him to go to him； for that by him they should know the upshot of
the affair of their asses； he replied； That if they should go to
him； they had nothing to give him as a reward for his prophecy；
for their subsistence money was spent。 The servant answered； that
he had still the fourth part of a shekel； and he would present
him with that； for they were mistaken out of ignorance； as not
knowing that the prophet received no such reward （6） So they went
to him； and when they were before the gates； they lit upon
certain maidens that were going to fetch water； and they asked
them which was the prophet's house。 They showed them which it
was； and bid them make haste before he sat down to supper； for he
had invited many guests to a feast； and that he used to sit down
before those that were invited。 Now Samuel had then gathered many
together to feast with him on this very account； for while he
every day prayed to God to tell him beforehand whom he would make
king； he had informed him of this man the day before； for that he
would send him a certain young man out of the tribe of Benjamin
about this hour of the day； and he sat on the top of the house in
expectation of that time's being come。 And when the time was
completed； he came down and went to supper； so he met with Saul；
and God discovered to him that this was he who should rule over
them。 Then Saul went up to Samuel and saluted him； and desired
him to inform him which was the prophet's house； for he said he
was a stranger and did not know it。 When Samuel had told him that
he himself was the person； he led him in to supper； and assured
him that the asses were found which he had been to seek； and that
the greatest of good things were assured to him： he replied； 〃I
am too inconsiderable to hope for any such thing； and of a tribe
to small to have kings made out of it； and of a family smaller
than several other families； but thou tellest me this in jest；
and makest me an object of laughter； when thou discoursest with
me of greater matters than what I stand in need of。〃 However； the
prophet led him in to the feast； and made him sit down； him and
his servant that followed him； above the other guests that were
invited； which were seventy in number （7） and he gave orders to
the servants to set the royal portion before Saul。 And when the
time of going to bed was come； the rest rose up； and every one of
them went home； but Saul staid with the prophet； he and his
servant； and slept with him。
2。 Now as soon as it was day； Samuel raised up Saul out of his
bed； and conducted him homeward； and when he was out of the city；
he desired him to cause his servant to go before； but to stay
behind himself； for that he had somewhat to say to him when
nobody else was present。 Accordingly； Saul sent away his servant
that followed him； then did the prophet take a vessel of oil； and
poured it upon the head of the young man； and kissed him； and
said； 〃Be thou a king； by the ordination of God； against the
Philistines； and for avenging the Hebrews for what they have
suffered by them； of this thou shalt have a sign； which I would
have thee take notice of： … As soon as thou art departed hence；
thou will find three men upon the road； going to worship God at
Bethel； the first of whom thou wilt see carrying three loaves of
bread； the second carrying a kid of the goats； and the third will
follow them carrying a bottle of wine。 These three men will
salute thee； and speak kindly to thee； and will give thee two of
their loaves； which thou shalt accept of。 And thence thou shalt