1 Samuel 16

Samuel's Arrival in Bethlehem 1 Samuel 16:4–5

⁴Verse 4. Samuel did that which Yahweh spoke, and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling, and said, “Do you come peaceably?” ⁵Verse 5. He said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to Yahweh. Sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.” He sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.

The Selection of David 1 Samuel 16:6–11

⁶Verse 6. When they had come, he looked at Eliab, and said, “Surely Yahweh’s anointed is before him.” ⁷Verse 7. But Yahweh said to Samuel, “Don’t look on his face, or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for I don’t see as man sees. For man looks at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks at the heart.” ⁸Verse 8. Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. He said, “Yahweh has not chosen this one, either.” ⁹Verse 9. Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. He said, “Yahweh has not chosen this one, either.” ¹⁰Verse 10. Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. Samuel said to Jesse, “Yahweh has not chosen these.”

¹¹Verse 11. Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your children here?” He said, “There remains yet the youngest. Behold, he is keeping the sheep.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we will not sit down until he comes here.”

David's Anointing 1 Samuel 16:12–13

¹²Verse 12. He sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with a handsome face and good appearance. Yahweh said, “Arise! Anoint him, for this is he.” ¹³Verse 13. Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the middle of his brothers. Then Yahweh’s Spirit came mightily on David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.

Saul's Troubling Spirit 1 Samuel 16:14–16

¹⁴Verse 14. Now Yahweh’s Spirit departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from Yahweh troubled him. ¹⁵Verse 15. Saul’s servants said to him, “See now, an evil spirit from God troubles you. ¹⁶Verse 16. Let our lord now command your servants who are in front of you to seek out a man who is a skillful player on the harp. Then when the evil spirit from God is on you, he will play with his hand, and you will be well.”

David Becomes Saul's Armor Bearer 1 Samuel 16:17–22

¹⁷Verse 17. Saul said to his servants, “Provide me now a man who can play well, and bring him to me.” ¹⁸Verse 18. Then one of the young men answered, and said, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and Yahweh is with him.” ¹⁹Verse 19. Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, “Send me David your son, who is with the sheep.” ²⁰Verse 20. Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a young goat, and sent them by David his son to Saul.

²¹Verse 21. David came to Saul, and stood before him. He loved him greatly; and he became his armor bearer. ²²Verse 22. Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Please let David stand before me; for he has found favor in my sight.”

David's Music Relieves Saul 1 Samuel 16:23

²³Verse 23. When the spirit from God was on Saul, David took the harp, and played with his hand; so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.