11 And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.

12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the Lord said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.

13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

14 But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him.

15 And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.

16 Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well.

17 And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.

18 Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the Lord is with him.

19 Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep.

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11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all(A) the sons you have?”

“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”(B)

Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”

12 So he(C) sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome(D) features.

Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”

13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed(E) him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord(F) came powerfully upon David.(G) Samuel then went to Ramah.

David in Saul’s Service

14 Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed(H) from Saul, and an evil[a] spirit(I) from the Lord tormented him.(J)

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.(K) 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(L) of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior.(M) He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with(N) him.”

19 Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.(O)

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 16:14 Or and a harmful; similarly in verses 15, 16 and 23