But a terrible disease broke out among the Philistines, and the ark was sent from Gaza to another city. There the plague appeared immediately, and the Philistines were at length obliged to return the ark to the Israelites. In the mean time, the Israelites, in consternation at the loss of their ark, gathered about Samuel, and besought him to consecrate a king for them, who might go forth to battle before them, and recover for them the ark. Then Samuel said: “If I consecrate a king for you, will you not desert him, and refuse to obey him?” But they all protested, “We will follow him wherever he leads, and we will obey all his commands.”[600] Then Schareh, who was surnamed Thalout (Saul), on account of the greatness of his stature, was chosen by Samuel to be their king. He was poor, and by trade a water-carrier, and his ancestors had all been water-carriers. Now the father of Saul had lost an ass, which had escaped into the desert. Saul went after it. Then Samuel came to meet him, and said to him: “Thou shalt reign as king over the people of Israel.” Saul replied: “O prophet of God! thou knowest that my tribe is the least among the tribes, and that I am the poorest among the members of my tribe.” Samuel said: “Nevertheless, God has ordered that so it should be.” Then he poured on his head the sacred oil which had been brought to Samuel out of heaven by Gabriel. But some say that this oil belonged to Joseph the son of Jacob, and it was preserved by the prophets. When this oil was poured on Saul’s head and face, it made his skin brilliant and pure. Now the prophets all came out of the tribe of Levi, and the tribe of Benjamin was despised greatly by the Israelites. And when they heard that their king was from that tribe, and was a water-carrier, they were angry, and exclaimed, “Why should he reign over us? We are as worthy to reign as he!”[601] Samuel answered, “God gives power to whom He wills.” The Israelites said, “Show us a sign.” Samuel brought the sacred oil forth, and it boiled in the presence of Saul.[602] But that did not suffice them. They then asked another sign; and Samuel said, “The ark shall return.” And they lifted their eyes, and lo! the ark was coming to them attached to the tails of two cows, and angels guided the cows.[603] Then the children of Israel doubted no longer, but accepted Saul as their king. Then said Samuel to the people: “The God of your fathers has sent me unto you, to promise you victory over the Philistines, and deliverance from your bondage, if you will turn and leave your evil ways.” “What shall we do?” asked one of the elders, “that we may obtain the favor of God?”