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