1 Samuel 16:11-21

11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”
12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”
13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.

David in Saul’s Service

14 Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil[a] spirit from the LORD tormented him.
15 Saul’s attendants said to him, “See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you.
16 Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the lyre. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes on you, and you will feel better.”
17 So Saul said to his attendants, “Find 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 lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the LORD is with him.”
19 Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, 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 David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers.

Cross References 17

  • 1. 1 Samuel 17:12
  • 2. S Genesis 37:2; 2 Samuel 7:8
  • 3. 1 Samuel 9:17
  • 4. S Genesis 39:6; 1 Samuel 17:42
  • 5. S 1 Samuel 2:35; S 2 Samuel 22:51
  • 6. 1 Samuel 18:12; Numbers 27:18; Judges 11:29
  • 7. S 1 Samuel 11:6">1Sa 1 Samuel 11:6; 1Sa 10:1,6,9-10; 1 Samuel 11:6
  • 8. S Judges 16:20
  • 9. ver 23; S Judges 9:23; 1 Samuel 18:10
  • 10. 2 Samuel 7:15
  • 11. ver 23; S 1 Samuel 10:5,6; 2 Chronicles 29:26-27; Psalms 49:4; 1 Samuel 18:10; 1 Samuel 19:9; 2 Kings 3:15
  • 12. S Ruth 4:17
  • 13. 2 Samuel 17:8
  • 14. S Genesis 39:2; 1 Samuel 3:19; 1 Samuel 17:32-37; 1 Samuel 20:13; 1 Chronicles 22:11; Matthew 1:23
  • 15. 1 Samuel 17:15
  • 16. S Genesis 32:13; S 1 Samuel 10:4; 1 Samuel 10:27; Proverbs 18:16
  • 17. S Genesis 41:46; Proverbs 22:29

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Or "and a harmful" ; similarly in verses 15, 16 and 23
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