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1 Samuel 16:13-23
New International Version
1 Samuel 16:13-23
New International Version
13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed(A) him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord(B) came powerfully upon David.(C) Samuel then went to Ramah.
David in Saul’s Service
14 Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed(D) from Saul, and an evil[a] spirit(E) from the Lord tormented him.(F)
15 Saul’s attendants said to him, “See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. 16 Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the lyre.(G) He will play when the evil spirit from God comes on you, and you will feel better.”
17 So Saul said to his attendants, “Find someone who plays well and bring him to me.”
18 One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse(H) of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior.(I) He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with(J) him.”
19 Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.(K)” 20 So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread,(L) a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul.
21 David came to Saul and entered his service.(M) Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers. 22 Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.”
23 Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit(N) would leave him.
Footnotes
- 1 Samuel 16:14 Or and a harmful; similarly in verses 15, 16 and 23
1 Samuel 16:13-23
The Message
1 Samuel 16:13-23
The Message
13 Samuel took his flask of oil and anointed him, with his brothers standing around watching. The Spirit of God entered David like a rush of wind, God vitally empowering him for the rest of his life.
Samuel left and went home to Ramah.
David—An Excellent Musician
14 At that very moment the Spirit of God left Saul and in its place a black mood sent by God settled on him. He was terrified.
15-16 Saul’s advisors said, “This awful tormenting depression from God is making your life miserable. O Master, let us help. Let us look for someone who can play the harp. When the black mood from God moves in, he’ll play his music and you’ll feel better.”
17 Saul told his servants, “Go ahead. Find me someone who can play well and bring him to me.”
18 One of the young men spoke up, “I know someone. I’ve seen him myself: the son of Jesse of Bethlehem, an excellent musician. He’s also courageous, of age, well-spoken, and good-looking. And God is with him.”
19 So Saul sent messengers to Jesse requesting, “Send your son David to me, the one who tends the sheep.”
20-21 Jesse took a donkey, loaded it with a couple of loaves of bread, a flask of wine, and a young goat, and sent his son David with it to Saul. David came to Saul and stood before him. Saul liked him immediately and made him his right-hand man.
22 Saul sent word back to Jesse: “Thank you. David will stay here. He’s just the one I was looking for. I’m very impressed by him.”
23 After that, whenever the bad depression from God tormented Saul, David got out his harp and played. That would calm Saul down, and he would feel better as the moodiness lifted.
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The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson