1 The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, when I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have chosen a king for myself among his sons.” 2 Samuel said, “How can I go? Saul will hear of it and kill me.” The LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’

3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice. I will tell you what to do, and you shall anoint for me the one I indicate to you.” 4 Samuel did what the LORD said and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came trembling to meet him and said, “Do you come in peace?” 5 He said, “In peace. I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” He consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 When they came, he saw Eliab and said, “Surely the LORD’s anointed is before him.” 7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or the height of his stature, for I have rejected him. For the LORD does not see as people see: people look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 8 Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. He said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse made Shammah pass by, but he said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” 10 Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11 Samuel said to Jesse, “Are these all your sons?” He said, “The youngest still remains. He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Send for him and bring him, for we will not sit down until he comes here.” 12 He sent for him and brought him in. He was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. The LORD said, “Rise and anoint him, for this is he.”

13 Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him among his brothers. The Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day onward. Samuel rose and went to Ramah.

14 Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him. 15 Saul’s servants said to him, “An evil spirit from God is tormenting you. 16 Let our lord command your servants here before you to seek a man skilled in playing the lyre. When the evil spirit from God is upon you, he will play with his hand, and you will be well.”

17 Saul said to his servants, “Find me a man who plays well and bring him to me.” 18 One of the young men answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who is skilled in playing, a valiant man, a man of war, prudent in speech, and handsome, and the LORD is with him.” 19 Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.” 20 Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine, and a young goat, and sent them to Saul by his son David. 21 David came to Saul and stood before him. Saul loved him greatly, and he became his armor-bearer. 22 Saul sent word to Jesse, “Please let David stand before me, for he has found favor in my eyes.” 23 Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take the lyre and play with his hand. Saul would be refreshed and well, and the evil spirit would depart from him.