1 Samuel 16 :: Amplified Bible (AMP)

Samuel Goes to Bethlehem

The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve for Saul, when I have rejected him as king over Israel? [fn]Fill your horn with oil and go; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have chosen a king for Myself among his sons.”

1Sa 16:2

1Sa 16:2But Samuel said, “How can I go? When Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” And the LORD said, “Take a heifer from the herd with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’

1Sa 16:3

1Sa 16:3“You shall invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do [after that]; and you shall anoint for Me the one whom I designate.”

1Sa 16:4

1Sa 16:4So Samuel did what the LORD said, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the city came trembling to meet him and said, “Do you come in peace?”

1Sa 16:5

1Sa 16:5And he said, “In peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” He also consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

1Sa 16:6

So it happened, when they had come, he looked at Eliab [the eldest son] and thought, “Surely the LORD’S anointed is before Him.”

1Sa 16:7

1Sa 16:7But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees; for man looks [fn]at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

1Sa 16:8

1Sa 16:8Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass before Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.”

1Sa 16:9

1Sa 16:9Next Jesse had Shammah pass by. And Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen him either.”

1Sa 16:10

1Sa 16:10Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen [any of] these.”

1Sa 16:11

1Sa 16:11Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your sons here?” Jesse replied, “There is still one left, the youngest; he is tending the sheep.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Send word and bring him; because we will not sit down [to eat the sacrificial meal] until he comes here.”

David Anointed

1Sa 16:12

1Sa 16:12So Jesse sent word and brought him in. Now he had a ruddy complexion, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. The LORD said [to Samuel], “Arise, anoint him; for this is he.”

1Sa 16:13

1Sa 16:13Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed David in the presence of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward. And Samuel arose and went to Ramah.

1Sa 16:14

Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented and terrified him.

1Sa 16:15

1Sa 16:15Saul’s servants said to him, “Behold, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you.

1Sa 16:16

1Sa 16:16“Let our lord now command your servants who are here before you to find a man who plays skillfully on the harp; and when the evil spirit from God is on you, he shall play the harp with his hand, and you will be well.”

1Sa 16:17

1Sa 16:17So Saul told his servants, “Find me a man who plays well and bring him to me.”

1Sa 16:18

1Sa 16:18One of the young men said, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is a skillful musician, a brave and competent man, a warrior, discerning (prudent, eloquent) in speech, and a handsome man; and the LORD is with him.”

1Sa 16:19

1Sa 16:19So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me David your son, who is with the flock.”

1Sa 16:20

1Sa 16:20Jesse took a donkey [loaded with] bread and a jug of wine and a young goat, and sent them to Saul with David his son.

1Sa 16:21

1Sa 16:21Then David came to Saul and attended him. Saul loved him greatly and [later] David became his armor bearer.

1Sa 16:22

1Sa 16:22Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Please let David [fn]be my attendant, for he has found favor in my sight.”

1Sa 16:23

1Sa 16:23So it came about that whenever the [evil] spirit from God was on Saul, David took a harp and played it with his hand; so Saul would be refreshed and be well, and the evil spirit would leave him.

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AMP Footnotes

(16:1)

Samuel’s horn was a receptacle for olive oil, which he would use to anoint a new king.

(16:7)

Lit with the eyes.

(16:22)

Lit stand before me.

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