1 Samuel 16:14-23

New International Version

David in Saul’s Service

¹⁴ Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed^(A) from Saul, and an evil^[a] spirit^(B) from the Lord tormented him.^(C)

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.^(D) 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^(E) of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior.^(F) He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with^(G) him.”

¹⁹ Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.^(H)” ²⁰ So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread,^(I) 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.^(J) Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers. ²² Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.”

²³ Whenever 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^(K) would leave him.