I Samuel 16

1. And the LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul since I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I will send you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have seen a king for Me among his sons.”

2. And Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears, he will kill me.” And the LORD said, “Take a heifer of the herd in your hand with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’

3. And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do. And you shall anoint for Me whomever I name to you.”

4. And Samuel did what the LORD said and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming and said, “Do you come peaceably?”

5. And he said, “Peaceably. I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Sanctify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.

6. And it came to pass as they came in, he saw Eliab and said, “Surely the LORD’S anointed is before the LORD.”

7. But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his face, nor on his height because I have refused him, for the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.”

8. And Jesse called Abinadab, and he passed him before Samuel, but he said, “Also the LORD has not chosen this one.”

9. And Jesse passed Shammah by, but he said, “Also the LORD has not chosen this one.”

10. And Jesse passed seven of his sons before Samuel, but Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen these.”.

11. And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your children here?” And he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and behold, he keeps the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him, or we will not sit down until he comes here.”.

12. And he sent and brought him in. And he was ruddy with beautiful countenance and good form. And the LORD said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is he.”.

13. And Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.

14. But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD terrified him..

15. And Saul’s servants said to him, “Behold now, an evil spirit from God terrifies you..

16. Let our lord now command his servants which are before you to seek out a man who knows how to play on a lyre. And it shall be, when the evil spirit from God is upon you, then he shall play with his hand, and it shall be well with you.”.

17. And Saul said to his servants, “Now look for me a man who can play well, and bring him to me.”.

18. And one of the servants answered and said, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is skillful in playing, and a mighty warrior and a man of battle, and prudent in speech. And he is a person of good form, and the LORD is with him.”.

19. And Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.”.

20. And Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread and a skin of wine and a kid goat, and sent them by David his son to Saul..

21. And David came to Saul and stood before him. And he loved him greatly, and he became his armor-bearer..

22. And Saul sent to Jesse saying, “Please let David stand before me, for he has found favor in my sight.”.

23. And it came to pass when the spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took a lyre and played with his hand. And there was relief for Saul, and it was well with him, and the evil spirit departed from him.