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| | 1Sa 16:1 | The LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king."
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| | 1Sa 16:2 | But Samuel said, "How can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me." The LORD said, "Take a heifer with you and say, `I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.'
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| | 1Sa 16:3 | Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate."
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| | 1Sa 16:4 | Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, "Do you come in peace?"
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| | 1Sa 16:5 | Samuel replied, "Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me." Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
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| | 1Sa 16:6 | When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD's anointed stands here before the LORD."
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| | 1Sa 16:7 | But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
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| | 1Sa 16:8 | Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, "The LORD has not chosen this one either."
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| | 1Sa 16:9 | Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, "Nor has the LORD chosen this one."
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| | 1Sa 16:10 | Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, "The LORD has not chosen these."
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| | 1Sa 16:11 | So he asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?" "There is still the youngest," Jesse answered, "but he is tending the sheep." Samuel said, "Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives."
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| | 1Sa 16:12 | So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; he is the one."
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| | 1Sa 16:13 | So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah.
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| | 1Sa 16:14 | Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him.
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| | 1Sa 16:15 | Saul's attendants said to him, "See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you.
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| | 1Sa 16:16 | Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the harp. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes upon you, and you will feel better."
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| | 1Sa 16:17 | So Saul said to his attendants, "Find someone who plays well and bring him to me."
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| | 1Sa 16:18 | One of the servants answered, "I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the LORD is with him."
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| | 1Sa 16:19 | Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, "Send me your son David, who is with the sheep."
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| | 1Sa 16:20 | So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul.
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| | 1Sa 16:21 | David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers.
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| | 1Sa 16:22 | Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, "Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him."
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| | 1Sa 16:23 | Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.
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