1 Samuel 16:14-23

New Century Version

David Serves Saul

¹⁴ But the Lord’s Spirit had left Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him.

¹⁵ Saul’s servants said to him, “See, an evil spirit from God is troubling you. ¹⁶ Give us the command to look for someone who can play the harp. When the evil spirit from God troubles you, he will play, and you will feel better.”

¹⁷ So Saul said to his servants, “Find someone who can play well and bring him to me.”

¹⁸ One of the servants said, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem play the harp. He is brave and courageous. He is a good speaker and handsome, and the Lord is with him.”

¹⁹ Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse, saying, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.” ²⁰ So Jesse loaded a donkey with bread, a leather bag full of wine, and a young goat, and he sent them with his son David to Saul.

²¹ When David came to Saul, he began to serve him. Saul liked David and made him the officer who carried his armor. ²² Saul sent a message to Jesse, saying, “Let David stay and serve me because I like him.”

²³ When the evil spirit from God troubled Saul, David would take his harp and play. Then the evil spirit would leave him, and Saul would feel better.