Saul was the son of a powerful and wealthy chief, yet in accordance with the simplicity of the times he was engaged with his father in the humble duties of a husbandman. Some of his father's animals having strayed upon the mountains, Saul went with a servant to seek for them. For three days they searched in vain, when, as they were not far from Ramah,[* SEE APPENDIX, NOTE 9.] the home of Samuel, the servant proposed that they should inquire of the prophet concerning the missing property. "I have here at hand 609 the fourth part of a shekel of silver," he said: "that will I give to the man of God, to tell us our way." This was in accordance with the custom of the times. A person approaching a superior in rank or office made him a small present, as an expression of respect.


Patriarker og profeter kapitel 59. 316.     Fra side 608 i den engelske udgave.tilbage

Israels første konge

Saul var søn af en mægtig og velhavende høvding, men til trods herfor hjalp han sin fader med at dyrke jorden og passe dyrene. Sådan var tidens jævne skikke. Da hans faders æsler engang var løbet ud i bjergene, tog Saul en karl med sig og gik ud for at lede efter dem. De ledte i tre dage uden resultat. Da de kom i nærheden af Rama, hvor Samuel boede, foreslog karlen, at de skulle spørge profeten, om han vidste, hvor deres dyr var. "Se, jeg har en kvart sekel sølv, den kan du give den Guds mand; så siger han os nok besked om det, vi går om," sagde han. Sådan var tidens skik. Når man henvendte sig til en overordnet, gav man ham en lille gave som udtryk for sin ærbødighed.

Sætning:
- skal ændres til:
navn og/eller e-mail:

Oversætterens indentitet er ikke nævnt her. Ændringen foretages efter vurdering.