Chapter
1 Samuel 16

Book of 1 Samuel - Chapter 16

1 Samuel 16:1

the LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite; for I have provided a king for myself among his sons."

1 Samuel 16:2

Samuel said, "How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me." the LORD said, "Take a heifer with you, and say, I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.

1 Samuel 16:3

Call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do. You shall anoint to me him whom I name to you."

1 Samuel 16:4

Samuel did that which the LORD spoke, and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling, and said, "Do you come peaceably?"

1 Samuel 16:5

He said, "Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice." He sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.

1 Samuel 16:6

It happened, when they had come, that he looked at Eliab, and said, "Surely the LORD's anointed is before him."

1 Samuel 16:7

But the LORD said to Samuel, "Don't look on his face, or on the height of his stature; because I have rejected him: for [the LORD sees] not as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

1 Samuel 16:8

Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. He said, "Neither has the LORD chosen this one."

1 Samuel 16:9

Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. He said, "Neither has the LORD chosen this one."

1 Samuel 16:10

Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. Samuel said to Jesse, "the LORD has not chosen these."

1 Samuel 16:11

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

1 Samuel 16:12

He sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful face, and goodly to look on. the LORD said, "Arise, anoint him; for this is he."

1 Samuel 16:13

Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brothers: and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily on David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

1 Samuel 16:14

Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.

1 Samuel 16:15

Saul's servants said to him, "See now, an evil spirit from God troubles you.

1 Samuel 16:16

Let our lord now command your servants who are before you, to seek out a man who is a skillful player on the harp. It shall happen, when the evil spirit from God is on you, that he shall play with his hand, and you shall be well."

1 Samuel 16:17

Saul said to his servants, "Provide me now a man who can play well, and bring him to me."

1 Samuel 16:18

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 comely person; and the LORD is with him."

1 Samuel 16:19

Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, "Send me David your son, who is with the sheep."

1 Samuel 16:20

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.

1 Samuel 16:21

David came to Saul, and stood before him. He loved him greatly; and he became his armor bearer.

1 Samuel 16:22

Saul sent to Jesse, saying, "Please let David stand before me; for he has found favor in my sight."

1 Samuel 16:23

It happened, when the [evil] spirit from God was on Saul, that David took the harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.

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