1
Samuel Chapter 16: 1-13
Samuel Anoints David
1 The LORD
said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king
over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of
Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king."
2 But
Samuel said, "How can I go? Saul will hear about 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, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I
indicate."
4 Samuel
did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when
they met him. They asked, "Do you come in peace?"
5 Samuel
replied, "Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate 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 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 man looks at. Man looks at the outward
appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
8 Then
Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, "The LORD
has not chosen this one either." 9 Jesse then had Shammah
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 the sons you have?"
"There is still the youngest," Jesse
answered, "but he is tending the sheep."
Samuel said, "Send for him; we will not sit down
until he arrives."
12 So he
sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features.
Then the LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; he is
the one."
13 So
Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from
that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah.
