¹⁷ When Samuel caught sight of Saul, the Lord said to him, “This^(A) is the man I spoke to you about; he will govern my people.”

³ For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended.^{(A) 4} For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.^(B)

²¹ Then the people asked for a king,^(A) and he gave them Saul^(B) son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin,^(C) who ruled forty years.

²⁵ I rebuked them and called curses down on them. I beat some of the men and pulled out their hair. I made them take an oath^(A) in God’s name and said: “You are not to give your daughters in marriage to their sons, nor are you to take their daughters in marriage for your sons or for yourselves.^(B)

¹⁹ When evening shadows fell on the gates of Jerusalem before the Sabbath,^(A) I ordered the doors to be shut and not opened until the Sabbath was over. I stationed some of my own men at the gates so that no load could be brought in on the Sabbath day.

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 For I told him that I would judge his family forever because of the sin he knew about; his sons blasphemed God,^[a] and he failed to restrain^(A) them.