1
Now the LORDsaid to Samuel, "Howlong will you grieveoverSaul, since I have rejected him from beingkingoverIsrael? Fill your horn with oil and go; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have selected a king for Myself among his sons."
2
But Samuelsaid, "How can I go? When Saulhears of it, he will kill me." And the LORDsaid, "Take a heifer with you and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.'
5
He said, "In peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice." He also consecratedJesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
7
But the LORDsaid to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as mansees, for manlooks at the outwardappearance, but the LORDlooks at the heart."
11
And Samuelsaid to Jesse, "Are these all the children?" And he said, "There remainsyet the youngest, and behold, he is tending the sheep." Then Samuelsaid to Jesse, "Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comeshere."
12
So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with beautifuleyes and a handsomeappearance. And the LORDsaid, "Arise, anoint him; for this is he."
13
Then Samueltook the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORDcamemightily upon David from that dayforward. And Samuelarose and went to Ramah.
16
"Let our lordnowcommand your servants who are before you. Let them seek a man who is a skillfulplayer on the harp; and it shall come about when the evilspirit from God is on you, that he shall play the harp with his hand, and you will be well."
18
Then one of the youngmensaid, "Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is a skillfulmusician, a mightyman of valor, a warrior, one prudent in speech, and a handsomeman; and the LORD is with him."
23
So it came about whenever the evil spirit from Godcame to Saul, David would take the harp and play it with his hand; and Saul would be refreshed and be well, and the evilspirit would depart from him.