1 Samuel 16:14-23

New International Reader's Version

David Serves Saul

¹⁴ The Spirit of the Lord had left Saul. And an evil spirit sent by the Lord terrified him.

¹⁵ Saul’s attendants said to him, “An evil spirit sent by God is terrifying you. ¹⁶ Give us an order to look for someone who can play the harp. He will play it when the evil spirit sent by God comes on you. Then you will feel better.”

¹⁷ So Saul said to his attendants, “Find someone who plays the harp well. Bring him to me.”

¹⁸ One of the servants said, “I’ve seen someone who knows how to play the harp. He is a son of Jesse from Bethlehem. He’s a brave man. He would make a good soldier. He’s a good speaker. He’s very handsome. And the Lord is with him.”

¹⁹ Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse. He said, “Send me your son David, the one who takes care of your sheep.” ²⁰ So Jesse got some bread and a bottle of wine. The bottle was made out of animal skin. He also got a young goat. He loaded everything on the back of a donkey. He sent all of it to Saul with his son David.

²¹ David went to Saul and began to serve him. Saul liked him very much. David became one of the men who carried Saul’s armor. ²² Saul sent a message to Jesse. Saul said, “Let David stay here. I want him to serve me. I’m pleased with him.”

²³ When the evil spirit sent by God would come on Saul, David would get his harp and play it. That would help Saul. He would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.