1 Samuel 16 :: New International Version (NIV)

Samuel Anoints David

1Sa 16:1The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”

1Sa 16:2

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

1Sa 16:3

1Sa 16:3Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.”

1Sa 16:4

1Sa 16:4Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?”

1Sa 16:5

1Sa 16:5Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

1Sa 16:6

1Sa 16:6When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.”

1Sa 16:7

1Sa 16:7But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

1Sa 16:8

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

1Sa 16:9

1Sa 16:9Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.”

1Sa 16:10

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

1Sa 16:11

1Sa 16:11So 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.”

1Sa 16:12

1Sa 16:12So 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.”

1Sa 16:13

1Sa 16:13So 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

1Sa 16:14

1Sa 16:14Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil[fn] spirit from the LORD tormented him.

1Sa 16:15

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

1Sa 16:16

1Sa 16:16Let 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.”

1Sa 16:17

1Sa 16:17So Saul said to his attendants, “Find someone who plays well and bring him to me.”

1Sa 16:18

1Sa 16:18One 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.”

1Sa 16:19

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

1Sa 16:20

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

1Sa 16:21

1Sa 16:21David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers.

1Sa 16:22

1Sa 16:22Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.”

1Sa 16:23

1Sa 16:23Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.

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NIV Footnotes

(16:14)

Or and a harmful; similarly in verses 15, 16 and 23

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