1 Samuel 9:4

And he passed through mount Ephraim, and passed through the land of Shalisha, but they found them not: then they passed through the land of Shalim, and there they were not: and he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they found them not.

He passed through mount Ephraim. This being situated on the north of Benjamin indicates the direction of Saul's journey. The district explored means the whole of the mountainous region, with its valleys and defiles, which belong to Ephraim. Turning apparently southwards, probably through the verdant hills between Shiloh and the vales of Jordan (Shalisha and Shalim), he approached again the borders of Benjamin, scoured the land of Zuph, and was proposing to return, when his servant recollected that they were in the immediate neighbourhood of the man of God, who would give them counsel.