1 Samuel 16

1The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you go on mourning for Saul, now that I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and set out. I am sending you to Jesse in Bethlehem, because I have chosen one of his sons to be king for me.” 2Samuel said, “How can I go? Saul will hear of it and kill me.” The LORD said, “Take a young cow with you and say, ‘I have come to offer a sacrifice to the LORD.’ 3Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You will anoint for me the one I name to you.” 4Samuel did what the LORD had said and went to Bethlehem. The elders of the town came out trembling to meet him and asked, “Have you come in peace?” 5He said, “In peace. I have come to offer a sacrifice to the LORD. Make yourselves holy and come with me to the sacrifice.” He made Jesse and his sons holy and invited them to the sacrifice. 6When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely here before the LORD stands his anointed!” 7But the LORD said to Samuel, “Pay no attention to his looks or to how tall he is, because I have rejected him. The LORD does not see in the way a person sees. A person looks at what is there for the eyes, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 8Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him walk past Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” 9Next Jesse had Shammah walk past. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” 10Jesse had seven of his sons walk past Samuel, but Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen any of these.” 11Then Samuel asked Jesse, “Are these all the boys you have?” Jesse answered, “There is still the youngest. He is out looking after the sheep.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Send for him and bring him here. We will not sit down to eat until he comes.” 12So Jesse sent for him and had him brought in. He had a healthy, glowing look, with fine eyes, and he was handsome. Then the LORD said, “Get up and anoint him. He is the one.” 13So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him there among his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed on David from that day on. Then Samuel set out and went back to Ramah.

14Now the Spirit of the LORD had left Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him. 15Saul’s officials said to him, “You can see that an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. 16Let our lord give the order to your servants here before you, and they will look for a man who knows how to play the lyre. Then, whenever the evil spirit from God comes on you, he will play and you will feel better.”

17So Saul said to his officials, “Find me a man who plays well and bring him to me.” 18One of the young men replied, “I have seen a son of Jesse in Bethlehem who is a skilled player. He is also a strong warrior and a fighting man. He speaks well, he is handsome, and the LORD is with him.” 19So Saul sent messengers to Jesse with the message, “Send me David your son, the one who is with the sheep.” 20So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, along with a skin of wine and a young goat, and sent them with his son David to Saul. 21David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul loved him very much, and David became his armor-bearer. 22Then Saul sent word to Jesse, “Please let David stay in my service, for I am very pleased with him.” 23So whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take the lyre and play it. Then Saul would find relief and feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.