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The Antiquities of the Jews - Table of Contents
The Antiquities of the Jews
Written by Flavius Josephus
Translated by William Whiston
Book Six
Chapter 4
The Appointment Of A King Over The
Israelites, Whose Name Was Saul; And This By The Command Of God
1. There 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
come to a place called Rachel's Monument, where thou shalt meet
with those that will tell thee thy asses are found; after this,
when thou comest to Gabatha, thou shalt overtake a company of
prophets, and thou shalt be seized with the Divine Spirit, (8)
and prophesy along with them, till every one that sees thee
shall be astonished, and wonder, and say, Whence is it that the
son of Kish has arrived at this degree of happiness? And when
these signs have happened to thee, know that God is with thee;
then do thou salute thy father and thy kindred. Thou shalt also
come when I send for thee to Gilgal, that we may offer
thank-offerings to God for these blessings." When Samuel had
said this, and foretold these things, he sent the young man
away. Now all things fell out to Saul according to the prophecy
of Samuel.
3. But as soon as Saul came into the house of his kinsman Abner,
whom indeed he loved better than the rest of his relations, he
was asked by him concerning his journey, and what accidents
happened to him therein; and he concealed none of the other
things from him, no, not his coming to Samuel the prophet, nor
how he told him the asses were found; but he said nothing to him
about the kingdom, and what belonged thereto, which he thought
would procure him envy, and when such things are heard, they are
not easily believed; nor did he think it prudent to tell those
things to him, although he appeared very friendly to him, and
one whom he loved above the rest of his relations, considering,
I suppose, what human nature really is, that no one is a firm
friend, neither among our intimates, nor of our kindred; nor do
they preserve that kind disposition when God advances men to
great prosperity, but they are still ill-natured and envious at
those that are in eminent stations.
4. Then Samuel called the people together to the city Mizpeh,
and spake to them in the words following, which he said he was
to speak by the command of God: - That when he had granted them
a state of liberty, and brought their enemies into subjection,
they were become unmindful of his benefits, and rejected God
that he should not be their King, as not considering that it
would be most for their advantage to be presided over by the
best of beings, for God is the best of beings, and they chose to
have a man for their king; while kings will use their subjects
as beasts, according to the violence of their own wills and
inclinations, and other passions, as wholly carried away with
the lust of power, but will not endeavor so to preserve the race
of mankind as his own workmanship and creation, which, for that
very reason, God would take cake of. "But since you have come to
a fixed resolution, and this injurious treatment of God has
quite prevailed over you, dispose yourselves by your tribes and
scepters, and cast lots."
5. When the Hebrews had so done, the lot fell upon the tribe of
Benjamin; and when the lot was cast for the families of this
tribe, that which was called Matri was taken; and when the lot
was cast for the single persons of that family, Saul, the son of
Kish, was taken for their king. When the young man knew this, he
prevented [their sending for him], and immediately went away and
hid himself. I suppose that it was because he would not have it
thought that he willingly took the government upon him; nay, he
showed such a degree of command over himself, and of modesty,
that while the greatest part are not able to contain their joy,
even in the gaining of small advantages, but presently show
themselves publicly to all men, this man did not only show
nothing of that nature, when he was appointed to be the lord of
so many and so great tribes, but crept away and concealed
himself out of the sight of those he was to reign over, and made
them seek him, and that with a good deal of trouble. So when the
people were at a loss, and solicitous, because Saul disappeared,
the prophet besought God to show where the young man was, and to
produce him before them. So when they had learned of God the
place where Saul was hidden, they sent men to bring him; and
when he was come, they set him in the midst of the multitude.
Now he was taller than any of them, and his stature was very
majestic.
6. Then said the prophet, God gives you this man to be your
king: see how he is higher than any of the people, and worthy of
this dominion." So as soon as the people had made acclamation,
God save the king, the prophet wrote down what would come to
pass in a book, and read it in the hearing of the king, and laid
up the book in the tabernacle of God, to be a witness to future
generations of what he had foretold. So when Samuel had finished
this matter, he dismissed the multitude, and came himself to the
city Rainah, for it was his own country. Saul also went away to
Gibeah, where he was born; and many good men there were who paid
him the respect that was due to him; but the greater part were
ill men, who despised him and derided the others, who neither
did bring him presents, nor did they in affection, or even in
words, regard to please him.
Continue on to
Book
Six,
Chapter 5,
The Antiquities of the Jews
by
Flavius Josephus
Return to
The Antiquities of the Jews - Table of Contents
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