Samuel Anoints David

16 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn^(A) for Saul, since I have rejected^(B) him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil^(C) and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse^(D) of Bethlehem. I have chosen^(E) one of his sons to be king.”

⁶ When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab^(A) and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.”

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 people look at. People look at the outward appearance,^(B) but the Lord looks at the heart.”^(C)

⁸ Then Jesse called Abinadab^(D) and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” ⁹ Jesse then had Shammah^(E) pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” ¹⁰ Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” ¹¹ So he asked Jesse, “Are these all^(F) the sons you have?”

“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”^(G)

Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”

¹² So he^(H) sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome^(I) features.

Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”

¹³ So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed^(J) him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord^(K) came powerfully upon David.^(L) Samuel then went to Ramah.

¹⁸ One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse^(A) of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior.^(B) He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with^(C) him.”

¹⁹ Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.^(D)” ²⁰ So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread,^(E) 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.^(F) 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^(G) would leave him.