Now there was a man of Binyamin, whose name was Kish Ibn Abiel, Ibn Zeror, Ibn Becorath, Ibn Aphiah, the son of a Benjamite, a mighty man of valour. 2He had a son, whose name was Talut[1], an impressive young man; and there was not among Bani-Israel a better person than he. From his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people. 3The donkeys of Kish, Talut’s father, were lost. Kish said to Taluthis son, Take now one of the servants with you, and arise, go seek the donkeys. 4He passed through the hill-country of Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find them: then they passed through the land of Shaalim, and they weren’t there: and he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they didn’t find them. 5When they had come to the land of Zuph, Talut said to his servant who was with him, Come, and let us return, lest my father stop worrying about the donkeys, and be anxious for us. 6The servant said to Talut, See now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is a man who is held in honour; all that he says comes to pass: now let us go there; perhaps he can tell us which way to go. 7Then Talut said to his servant, But if we go, what shall we bring the man? For the bread is finished in our sacks, and there is not a present to bring to the man of God: what do we have? 8The servant answered Talut again, and said, Look, I have a quarter shekel of silver: I will give that to the man of God, to tell us our way. 9(In earlier times in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he said, Come, and let us go to the seer; for he who is now called a Prophet was before called a Seer.) 10Then Talut said to his servant, Well said; come, let’s go. So they went to the city where the man of God was. 11As they went up the ascent to the city, they found young maidens going out to draw water, and said to them, Is the seer here? 12They answered them, and said, He is; look, he is ahead of you: hurry now, for he has come today into the city; for the people have a sacrifice today in the high place: 13as soon as you are come into the city, you shall immediately find him, before he goes up to the high place to eat; for the people will not eat until he comes, because he will bless the sacrifice; and afterwards those who are invited can eat. Now therefore go up; for at this time you shall find him. 14They went up to the city; and as they came within the city, behold, Samuel came out toward them, to go up to the high place. 15Now Allah had revealed to Samuel a day before Talut came, saying, 16Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man out of the land of Binyamin, and you shall anoint him to be prince over my people Israel; and he 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. 17When Samuel saw Talut, Allah said to him, Behold, the man of whom I spoke to you! This is the one who shall have authority over my people. 18Then Talut drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, Tell me, Please, where the seer’s house is. 19Samuel answered Talut, 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. 20As for your donkeys which were lost three days ago, do not worry about them; for they have been found. To whom is all the desire of Israel turned? Is it not for you, and for all your father’s house? 21Talut 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 Binyamin? Why then speak to me this way? 22Samuel took Talut and his servant, and brought them into the guest-chamber, and made them sit in the best place among those who were invited, who were about thirty persons. 23Samuel said to the cook, Bring the portion which I gave you, of which I said to you, Set it aside. 24The cook took up the thigh, and that which was on it, and set it before Talut. Samuel said, Look, that which has been reserved! It was set it before you to eat; for this occasion it was kept for you, from the time I said, I have invited the people. So Talut ate with Samuel that day. 25After they came down from the high place into the city, Samuel talked with Talut on the housetop. 26They arose early: and it happened about daybreak, that Samuel called to Taluton the housetop, saying, Get up, that I may send you away. Talut arose, and both he and Samuel departed. 27As they were going down to the edge of the city, Samuel said to Talut, Tell the servant to go on before us (and he went on), but you stand still first, that I may cause you to hear the word of God.
[1] Hebrew–Saul