16:1¹ The LORD said to Samuel, “How long do you intend to mourn for Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel.² Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse in Bethlehem. For I have selected a king for myself from among his sons.”

16:2 Samuel said, “How can I go? Saul will learn³ of it and kill me!” But the LORD said, “Take a heifer with you⁴ and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ 16:3 Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you should do. You will anoint for me the one that I make known⁵ to you.”

16:4 Samuel did what the LORD had said. When he came to Bethlehem, the elders of the city trembled in meeting him. They⁶ said, “Do you come in peace?” 16:5 He replied, “Yes, in peace. I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Sanctify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” So he sanctified Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

16:6 When they had come, Samuel⁷ noticed⁸ Eliab and said, “Surely, before the LORD here stands his anointed!” 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t regard his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. It’s not the way that man sees, for man looks on what the eyes can see, but the LORD looks on the heart.”

16:8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him cross in front of Samuel. He said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” 16:9 Then Jesse had Shammah cross by. And he said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” 16:10 Then Jesse had seven of his other sons pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “Nor has the LORD chosen any of these.” 16:11 Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Is that all of the boys?” He replied, “The youngest one yet remains. He is out shepherding the flock.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him. For we will not turn to other things until he comes here.”

16:12 So he sent and brought him. Now he was ruddy, with attractive eyes and handsome appearance. The LORD said, “Arise, anoint him. This is the one!”

16:13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. The Spirit of the LORD rushed on David from that day onwards. Then Samuel got up and went to Ramah.

16:14 Now the Spirit of the LORD had turned away from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD fell on him. 16:15 Then the servants of Saul said to him, “Look, an evil spirit from God is falling on you!” 16:16 Let our lord instruct his servants who are here before you to seek a man who knows how to play the lyre. Then whenever the evil spirit from God comes on you, he will play⁹ with his hand and it will be better for you.”

16:17 So Saul said to his servants, “Find¹⁰ for me a man who plays well and bring him to me.” 16:18 One of his attendants responded, “I have seen a son of Jesse in Bethlehem who knows how to play a lyre. He is a warrior, a man of war. He is articulate¹¹ and handsome,¹² and the LORD is with him.”

16:19 So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is out with the sheep. 16:20 So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a flask of wine, and a kid¹³ and sent them to Saul by his son David. 16:21 David came to Saul and stood before him. He¹⁴ liked him a great deal, and he became an equipment carrier for him. 16:22 Then Saul sent to Jesse saying, “Let David stay with me, for I like him.”¹⁵

16:23 And so it was that whenever the spirit from God would come on Saul, David would take his lyre and would play it with his hand. This would bring relief to Saul, and things would improve for him. The evil spirit would depart from him.