1 Samuel 16:5-13

New International Version

⁵ Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate^(A) yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

⁶ When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab^(B) and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.”

⁷ But 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,^(C) but the Lord looks at the heart.”^(D)

⁸ Then Jesse called Abinadab^(E) and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” ⁹ Jesse then had Shammah^(F) pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” ¹⁰ Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” ¹¹ So he asked Jesse, “Are these all^(G) the sons you have?”

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

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

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

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

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