take thought for us.' But the faithful servant suggested to Saul that a seer, a man of God, dwelt in the neighbourhood, and that perhaps he would be able to tell them which way they ought to take. Saul objected at first, for he had nothing with him to give the prophet, and he would not go to him empty-handed. But the servant replied that he had the fourth part of a silver shekel left, which they could offer as a present. The city was built upon a hill; and as the two began to ascend it, they met some young maidens going out to draw water. Of them they asked, 'Is the seer here?' 'Behold, he is before you,' they answered; make haste now, for he comes to-day to the city, for there is a sacrifice of the people to-day in the high place.' So the two hastened up the hill, and at the gates of the town they encountered Samuel. The prophet knew that the youth who stood before him was to be king over Israel. He was evidently well acquainted with his person and his domestic affairs; he was probably familiar with the gifts and virtues which qualified him for a high and difficult position; and he seemed glad to find now an opportunity for observing him still more closely and making his final choice. So when Saul asked him, "Tell me, I pray thee, where the seer's house is?' he answered, I am the seer; go up before me to the high place, for you shall eat with me to-day, and to-morrow I will let thee go, and will tell thee all that is in thy heart. And as for thy asses that were lost three days ago, set not thy heart on them, for they are found. And to whom belongs all the treasure of Israel? Is it not to thee and to thy father's house?' Saul was naturally struck with this unexpected reply, and he answered modestly, 'Am not I a Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel, and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? wherefore, then, speakest thon so to me?' Then Samuel led

Saul and his servant into the chamber of the high place, where the banquet was prepared, and where thirty guests were assembled. All respect was shown to the strangers; to them were given the seats of honour; and not only the largest but the best and most valued portion of the sacrifice had been set apart for Saul, and was now placed before him. Samuel then went to his own house, followed by Saul and his servant. In the pleasant coolness of the evening air, the prophet led Saul to the roof of the house, and spoke with him alone. What did he tell him in that private and quiet interview? Did he communicate to him the law of the king,' his rights and duties? Did he discuss with him the condition and the prospects of the state? Or did he merely sound and test him, before he finally decided about his aptitude as a ruler of Israel? On the following morning Samuel called Saul early, and accompanied him and his attendant to the gate of the city. There he bade the servant pass on and wait for his master; and then turning to Saul, he said to him, 'Stand thou still awhile, that I may show thee the word of God.' He was about to invest him with the holiness of kingship. He took a vial of oil and poured it upon Saul's head, and kissed him, saying, Behold, the Lord has anointed thee to be chief over His inheritance!' Then he foretold minutely what would happen to Saul on his return how the asses had been found, and how his father Kish was sorrowing for his absence. He, moreover, informed him that, on his way home, he would meet in the plain of Tabor three men going to the holy place at Beth-el with their offerings in their hands, and that they would give him two of the loaves they were carrying; that further on his way, near Gibea-Elohim, where a garrison of Philistines was stationed, he would encounter a company of prophets, descending from the hill with a psaltery, and a tabret, and a pipe, and a harp,

all prophesying: then would Saul be endowed with the spirit of God, and he also would prophesy. He was to wait for Samuel at Gilgal during seven days, when he would come and advise him upon all measures that were then to be taken.

The Benjamite youth parted from the prophet, and set forth on his journey. Everything happened as Samuel had predicted. On Mount Tabor, the men gave him their offerings with a foreboding of his royalty, and at Gibea-Elohim the prophets accepted him as one of their company. The spirit of God came upon him; he felt an altered man; the mind of the simple young herdsman was roused and enlightened as it had never been before, so that the people of his acquaintance asked with astonishment, 'What is this that has come to the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets?' So striking was the change that the saying passed into a proverb. At GibeaElohim, Saul found also his uncle, who had waited for him, and asked anxiously whence he came. Saul related the story of the lost asses and of his visit to Samuel; but all mention of his future kingdom he discreetly omitted: whether he did so on his own account, or by the advice and desire of Samuel, is not recorded.

Meanwhile Samuel called the people together at Mizpah; they came from all the tribes; and having once more solemnly pointed out the gravity of the step they had decided upon, he proceeded to elect their future ruler by the Divine oracle of the lot. The lot fell first upon the tribe of Benjamin, and then upon the family of Matri, next upon the household of Kish, and lastly upon his son Saul. But Saul was not present at the casting of the lots; he was searched for, found at last hidden in the fields, and brought before the assembled tribes. His majestic and comely person struck all beholders. As he approached, Samuel exclaimed, 'Do you

see him that the Lord has chosen? There is none like him among all the people!' A great shout rose up into the air, and for the first time the cry was heard in Israel, God save the king!'

Saul was accompanied to his house at Gibeah by a band of men, who had already declared themselves his followers, and who brought him presents. Some turbulent and discontented people, however, held aloof, and despised the young king, saying, 'How shall this man save us?' But Saul prudently left such taunts unnoticed. Indeed, his authority was far from universally acknowledged, though he was perhaps recognised as the leader of his own tribe. He lived in no regal state; he did not even renounce his habitual occupations as herdsman of his father's cattle. He does not seem to have taken part in the government of the people; he had scarcely the weight or importance of a Judge, for the voice of Samuel still held the nation in sway. The anointed king was overshadowed by the inspired prophet. A great occasion was required to give him distinction and power. That occasion did not tarry to present itself.

VII. THE REIGN OF SAUL.

(1095-1055.)

80. SAUL'S WARS.

[1 SAM. XI.-XIV.]

Nor only were the Philistines again making constant progress in the land of the Israelites, stationing their garrisons with impunity in the very heart of the country, but the heathen nations to the east of the Jordan likewise threatened and attacked the Hebrew tribes that had settled in those isolated parts.

A barbarous incident in this unequal warfare was destined to rouse the dormant energies of Saul, and to establish his greatness. Nahash, king of the Ammonites, had assaulted and besieged the city of Jabesh, in Gilead. He promised to make peace with the inhabitants, on condition that he would cut out all their right eyes,' as a sign of reproach to the people of Israel. The elders of Jabesh, well aware that they were too weak to hold out against the forces of Nahash, begged for a respite of seven days, at the end of which time, should they remain unaided, they would undergo the cruel disgrace with which they had been threatened. The messengers from Jabesh Gilead turned first to Gibeah, the residence of Saul. They had heard that he had been elected and anointed