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Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”
2 But Samuel asked, “How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me.”
And the Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord’. 3 Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you must do. You are to anoint for Me the one I indicate to you.”
4 So Samuel did what the Lord said. When he came to Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled at his arrival.
They asked, “Do you come in peace?”
5 ”Yes, I come in peace,” Samuel replied. “I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before Him.”
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or his stature, for I have rejected him. Man does not see as Lord sees. Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The the Lord has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” 10 So Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. But Samuel told Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are all your sons here?”
“There remains yet the youngest,” Jesse replied, “but he is tending the sheep.”
Samuel told Jesse, “Send for him. We will not sit down until he arrives.”
12 So Jesse sent for him and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with striking, handsome features that were pleasing to the eye.
Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him, for he is the one.”
13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers. From that day on, the Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.
14 Now the Spirit of the Lord had left from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him. 15 Saul’s servants said to him, “Look, an evil spirit from God is troubling you. 16 Let our lord command his servants to find someone who can play the harp well. Then if the evil spirit from God comes upon you, he can play the harp for you, and you will feel better.”
17 So Saul said to his servants, “Find me someone who plays well and bring him to me.”
18 One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a valiant man and a true warrior. He also speaks well and is handsome, and the Lord is with him.”
19 Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me David your son, who is with the sheep.” 20 So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine, and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul. 21 So David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became his armour-bearer. 22 Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.” 23 Whenever the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take up his harp and play. Then Saul would be soothed and feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.