1Samuel 16

1 The LORD told Samuel, “How long will you grieve over Saul, since I’ve rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I’m sending you to Jesse from Bethlehem because I’ve chosen for myself one of his sons as king.”ISV — 1Samuel 16:1

2 Samuel said, “How can I go? Saul will hear about this ^{a16:2 The Heb. lacks about this} and kill me!” The LORD said, “Take a heifer ^{b16:2 i.e. a young cow that has not yet had a calf} with you and say, ‘I’ve come to offer a sacrifice to the LORD.’ISV — 1Samuel 16:2

3 You are to invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I’ll show you what you are to do. You are to anoint for me the one I tell you.”ISV — 1Samuel 16:3

4 Samuel did what the LORD said and went to Bethlehem. The elders of the town came out to meet him trembling, and said, “May your coming be in peace.”ISV — 1Samuel 16:4

5 He said, “Peace, I’ve come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” Samuel ^{c16:5 Lit. He} consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.ISV — 1Samuel 16:5

6 When they arrived, Samuel ^{d16:6 Lit. he} saw Eliab, and said, “Surely he’s the LORD’s ^{e16:6 Lit. his} anointed.” ^{f16:6 Lit. surely the LORD’s anointed is before him}ISV — 1Samuel 16:6

7 The LORD told Samuel, “Don’t look at his appearance or his height, ^{g16:7 Lit. the height of his stature} for I’ve rejected him. Truly, God does not see ^{h16:7 The Heb. lacks see} what man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”ISV — 1Samuel 16:7

8 Then Jesse summoned Abinadab and brought him before Samuel, and he said, “Neither has the LORD chosen this one.”ISV — 1Samuel 16:8

9 Then Jesse brought Shammah, and he said, “Neither has the LORD chosen this one.”ISV — 1Samuel 16:9

10 Jesse brought seven of his sons before Samuel, and Samuel told Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen these.”ISV — 1Samuel 16:10

11 Then Samuel told Jesse, “Are these all the young men?” He said, “There yet remains the youngest one, and right now he’s tending the sheep.” Samuel told Jesse, “Send someone to get him, ^{i16:11 Lit. send and get him} for we won’t do anything else ^{j16:11 Lit. we won’t turn aside} until he arrives here.”ISV — 1Samuel 16:11

12 So he sent and brought him. He had a dark, healthy complexion, with beautiful eyes, and he was handsome. The LORD said, “Get up and anoint him, for this is the one.”ISV — 1Samuel 16:12

13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed David ^{k16:13 Lit. him} in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD came on David from that day forward. Then Samuel got up and went to Ramah.ISV — 1Samuel 16:13

14 The Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.ISV — 1Samuel 16:14

15 Saul’s servants told him, “Look, an evil spirit from God is troubling you.ISV — 1Samuel 16:15

16 Let our lord order his servants who attend you ^{l16:16 Lit. who are before you} to look for a man who is skilled in playing the lyre. And then when an evil spirit from God comes on you, he will play ^{m16:16 Lit. play with his hand} and you will be better.”ISV — 1Samuel 16:16

17 Saul told his servants, “Find ^{n16:17 Lit. Provide} a man for me who can play well and bring him to me.”ISV — 1Samuel 16:17

18 One of the young men answered: “Look, I’ve seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is skilled in playing. The man is a valiant soldier, gifted in speech, and handsome. And the LORD is with him.”ISV — 1Samuel 16:18

19 So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.”ISV — 1Samuel 16:19

20 Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a container of wine, and one kid, and sent them to Saul along with his son David.ISV — 1Samuel 16:20

21 David went to Saul and began to serve him. ^{o16:21 Lit. stood before him} Saul loved him very much, and he became his armor bearer.ISV — 1Samuel 16:21

22 Saul sent a messenger ^{p16:22 The Heb. lacks a messenger} to Jesse to tell him, “Allow David to serve me, because I’m pleased with him.” ^{q16:22 Lit. because he has found favor in my sight}ISV — 1Samuel 16:22

23 Whenever an evil ^{r16:23 The Heb. lacks evil} spirit from God came to Saul, David would take the lyre and play it. ^{s16:23 Lit. play with his hand} Relief would come to Saul and he would be better, because the evil spirit would leave him.ISV — 1Samuel 16:23