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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.
