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Samuel Chapter 16: 14-23
David in Saul's Service
14 Now the
Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him.
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 harp. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes upon 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 of Bethlehem who knows how to play
the harp. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And
the LORD is with him."
19 Then
Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, "Send me your son David, who is with the
sheep." 20 So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, 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. 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 upon Saul, David would take his harp and play. Then relief would
come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.
