Add parallel Print Page Options

Samuel smörjer David till kung

16 Slutligen sa Herren till Samuel: Du har sörjt länge nog över Saul, som jag har förkastat som Israels kung. Ta nu en flaska olivolja och gå till Betlehem och sök reda på en man som heter Isai, för jag har utvalt en av hans söner till att bli den nye kungen.

Men Samuel frågade: Hur kan jag göra det? Om Saul får reda på det, kommer han att döda mig.Ta med dig en kviga och säg att du har kommit för att offra till mig, svarade Herren.

Inbjud sedan Isai till offret, så ska jag visa dig vilken av hans söner som du ska smörja.

Samuel gjorde som Herren hade sagt till honom, och när han anlände till Betlehem, kom stadens ledande män för att möta honom, men de var alla rädda.Vad är det som står på? undrade de. Varför har du kommit hit?

Han svarade: Allt är väl, men jag har kommit hit för att offra till Herren. Rena er, och kom med mig till offret! Han renade också Isai och hans söner och inbjöd även dem.

När de kom till offerplatsen, kastade Samuel en blick på Eliab och tänkte: Det är nog honom som Herren har utvalt.

Men Herren sa till Samuel: Nej, det är inte han. Förresten ska du aldrig bedöma en människa efter hennes utseende eller längd. Jag ser inte på samma sätt som du ser! Människor dömer efter det yttre, men jag ser till hjärtat.

Då bad Isai sin son Abinadab stiga fram inför Samuel, men Herren sa: Inte heller han är den rätte.

Sedan bad Isai Samma att gå fram, men Herren sa: Nej, det är inte han heller. På samma sätt kom sju av Isais söner fram inför Samuel, men samtliga förkastades.

10-11 Herren har inte utvalt någon av dem, sa Samuel till Isai. Är det alla söner du har? Vi har ju den yngste sonen också, men han är ute på fälten och vaktar fåren, svarade Isai.Skicka omedelbart efter honom, sa Samuel, för vi slår oss inte ner förrän han kommer.

12 Då skickade Isai efter honom. Det var en pojke som såg bra ut, rödblommig och med vackra ögon. Och Herren sa: Han är det. Smörj honom!

13 Samuel tog olivoljan han hade haft med sig och hällde den över Davids huvud i brödernas närvaro. Herrens Ande kom över David med stor kraft från den dagen. Samuel återvände till Rama.

David i Sauls tjänst

14 Herrens Ande hade däremot lämnat Saul. En ond ande hade kommit i stället, och Herren tillät att den plågade Saul.

15-16 Några av Sauls rådgivare föreslog ett botemedel:Gud låter en ond ande plåga dig, men vi föreslår att vi får söka reda på någon som kan spela harpa. Harpans toner får dig att må bättre om anden skulle plåga dig.

17 Saul sa: Nåväl, leta reda på någon som är duktig att spela.

18 En av rådgivarna sa att han kände till en ung pojke i Betlehem, son till en man som hette Isai. Pojken var inte bara skicklig att spela harpa, han var också modig, vacker och stark, och han hade ett gott omdöme. Sedan tillade han: Dessutom är Herren med honom.

19 Saul sände därför en budbärare till Isai och bad att han skulle skicka sin son David, som vaktar fåren.

20 Isai lastade en åsna med bröd och vin och skickade dessutom en ung get med David.

21 Saul tyckte om David ifrån första ögonblicket, och David blev en av hans livvakter.

22 En tid senare skrev Saul till Isai: Låt David stanna i min tjänst. Jag är mycket nöjd med honom.

23 Varje gång den onde anden kom över Saul, spelade David på harpan. Då mådde Saul bättre, och den onde anden lämnade honom.

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.”

But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.”

The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show(F) you what to do. You are to anoint(G) for me the one I indicate.”

Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem,(H) the elders of the town trembled(I) when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?(J)

Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate(K) yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

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

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,(M) but the Lord looks at the heart.”(N)

Then Jesse called Abinadab(O) and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” Jesse then had Shammah(P) 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(Q) the sons you have?”

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

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

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

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

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

David in Saul’s Service

14 Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed(X) from Saul, and an evil[a] spirit(Y) from the Lord tormented him.(Z)

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.(AA) 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(AB) of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior.(AC) He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with(AD) him.”

19 Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.(AE) 20 So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread,(AF) 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.(AG) 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(AH) would leave him.

Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 16:14 Or and a harmful; similarly in verses 15, 16 and 23

Samuel Anoints David as King

16 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long do you intend to mourn for Saul? I have rejected him as king over Israel.[a] Fill your horn with olive oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse in Bethlehem, for I have selected a king for myself from among his sons.”[b]

Samuel replied, “How can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me!” But the Lord said, “Take a heifer with you[c] and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you should do. You will anoint for me the one I point out[d] to you.”

Samuel did what the Lord told him.[e] When he arrived in Bethlehem, the elders of the city were afraid to meet him. They[f] said, “Do you come in peace?” He replied, “Yes, in peace. I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” So he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

When they arrived, Samuel[g] noticed[h] Eliab and said to himself,[i] “Surely, here before the Lord stands his chosen king.”[j] But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t be impressed by[k] his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. God does not view things the way people do.[l] People look on the outward appearance,[m] but the Lord looks at the heart.”

Then Jesse called Abinadab and presented him to Samuel.[n] But Samuel[o] said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” Then Jesse presented[p] Shammah. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” 10 Jesse presented seven of his sons to Samuel.[q] But Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” 11 Then Samuel asked Jesse, “Is that all the young men?” Jesse[r] replied, “There is still the youngest one, but he’s taking care of the flock.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we cannot turn our attention to other things until he comes here.”

12 So Jesse had him brought in.[s] Now he was ruddy, with attractive eyes and a handsome appearance. The Lord said, “Go and anoint him. This is the one.” 13 So Samuel took the horn full of olive oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers. The Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day onward. Then Samuel got up and went to Ramah.

David Appears before Saul

14 Now the Spirit of the Lord had turned away from Saul, and an evil spirit[t] from the Lord tormented him. 15 Then Saul’s servants said to him, “Look, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. 16 Let our lord instruct his servants who are here before you to look for a man who knows how to play the lyre. Then whenever the evil spirit from God comes upon you, he can play the lyre[u] and you will feel better.”[v] 17 So Saul said to his servants, “Find[w] me a man who plays well and bring him to me.” 18 One of his attendants replied,[x] “I have seen a son of Jesse in Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave warrior[y] and is articulate[z] and handsome,[aa] for the Lord is with him.”

19 So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is out with the sheep.” 20 So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a container of wine, and a young goat[ab] and sent them to Saul with[ac] his son David. 21 David came to Saul and stood before him. Saul liked him a great deal,[ad] and he became his armor-bearer. 22 Then Saul sent word to Jesse saying, “Let David be my servant, for I am very pleased with him.”[ae]

23 So whenever the spirit from God would come upon Saul, David would take his lyre and play it. This would bring relief to Saul and make him feel better. Then the evil spirit would leave him alone.[af]

Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 16:1 tc The Lucianic recension of the Old Greek translation includes the following words: “And the Lord said to Samuel.”
  2. 1 Samuel 16:1 tn Heb “for I have seen among his sons for me a king.”
  3. 1 Samuel 16:2 tn Heb “in your hand.”
  4. 1 Samuel 16:3 tn Heb “say”; KJV, NRSV “name”; NIV “indicate.”
  5. 1 Samuel 16:4 tn Heb “said.”
  6. 1 Samuel 16:4 tc In the MT the verb is singular (“he said”), but the translation follows many medieval Hebrew mss and ancient versions in reading the plural (“they said”).
  7. 1 Samuel 16:6 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Samuel) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  8. 1 Samuel 16:6 tn Heb “saw.”
  9. 1 Samuel 16:6 tn Heb “said”; the words “to himself” are implied, given the secrecy surrounding Samuel’s mission to Bethlehem (v. 2).
  10. 1 Samuel 16:6 tn Heb “his anointed one.”
  11. 1 Samuel 16:7 tn Heb “don’t look toward.”
  12. 1 Samuel 16:7 tn Heb “for not that which the man sees.” The translation follows the LXX, which reads, “for not as man sees does God see.” The MT has suffered from homoioteleuton or homoioarcton. See P. K. McCarter, I Samuel (AB), 274.
  13. 1 Samuel 16:7 tn Heb “to the eyes.”
  14. 1 Samuel 16:8 tn Heb “and caused him to pass before.”
  15. 1 Samuel 16:8 tn Heb “he” (also in v. 9); the referent (Samuel) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
  16. 1 Samuel 16:9 tn Heb “caused to pass by.”
  17. 1 Samuel 16:10 tn Heb “caused seven of his sons to pass before Samuel.” This could be taken as referring to seven sons in addition to the three mentioned before this, but 1 Sam 17:12 says Jesse had eight sons, not eleven. 1 Chr 2:13-15 lists only seven sons, including David. However, 1 Chr 27:18 mentions an additional son, named Elihu.
  18. 1 Samuel 16:11 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Jesse) has been specified in the translation both here and in v. 12 for clarity.
  19. 1 Samuel 16:12 tn Heb “and he sent and brought him.”
  20. 1 Samuel 16:14 tn Or “an injurious spirit”; cf. NLT “a tormenting spirit.” The phrase need not refer to an evil, demonic spirit. The Hebrew word translated “evil” may refer to the character of the spirit or to its effect upon Saul. If the latter, another translation option might be “a mischief-making spirit.”
  21. 1 Samuel 16:16 tn Heb “and he will play with his hand.”
  22. 1 Samuel 16:16 tn Heb “and it will be better for you.”
  23. 1 Samuel 16:17 tn Heb “see.”
  24. 1 Samuel 16:18 tn Heb “answered and said.”
  25. 1 Samuel 16:18 tn Heb “mighty man of valor and a man of war.”
  26. 1 Samuel 16:18 tn Heb “discerning of word.”
  27. 1 Samuel 16:18 tn Heb “a man of form.”
  28. 1 Samuel 16:20 tn Heb “a kid of the goats.”
  29. 1 Samuel 16:20 tn Heb “by the hand of.”
  30. 1 Samuel 16:21 tn Heb “he loved him.”
  31. 1 Samuel 16:22 tn Heb “Let David stand before me, for he has found favor in my eyes.”
  32. 1 Samuel 16:23 tn Heb “would turn aside from upon him.”

16 And the Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.

And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the Lord said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the Lord.

And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee.

And Samuel did that which the Lord spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?

And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the Lord: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.

And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the Lord's anointed is before him.

But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.

Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the Lord chosen this.

Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the Lord chosen this.

10 Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The Lord hath not chosen these.

11 And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.

12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the Lord said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.

13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

14 But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him.

15 And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.

16 Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well.

17 And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.

18 Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the Lord is with him.

19 Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep.

20 And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul.

21 And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer.

22 And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight.

23 And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.