1The LORD asked Samuel, "How long are you going to mourn for Saul now that I have rejected him as king of Israel? Fill a flask with olive oil and go. I'm sending you to Jesse in Bethlehem because I've selected one of his sons to be king." 2"How can I go?" Samuel asked. "When Saul hears about it, he'll kill me." The LORD said, "Take a heifer with you and say, 'I've come to sacrifice to the LORD.' 3Invite Jesse to the sacrifice. I will reveal to you what you should do, and you will anoint for me the one I point out to you." 4Samuel did what the LORD told him. When he came to Bethlehem, the leaders of the city, trembling with fear, greeted him and said, "May peace be with you." 5"Greetings," he replied, "I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Perform the ceremonies to make yourselves holy, and come with me to the sacrifice." He performed the ceremonies for Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

6When they came, he saw Eliab and thought, "Certainly, here in the LORD's presence is his anointed king." 7But the LORD told Samuel, "Don't look at his appearance or how tall he is, because I have rejected him. God does not see as humans see. Humans look at outward appearances, but the LORD looks into the heart." 8Then Jesse called Abinadab and brought him to Samuel. But Samuel said, "The LORD has not chosen this one either." 9Then Jesse had Shammah come to Samuel. "The LORD has not chosen this one either," Samuel said. 10So Jesse brought seven [more] of his sons to Samuel, but Samuel told Jesse, "The LORD has not chosen [any of] these. 11Are these all the sons you have?" "There's still the youngest one," Jesse answered. "He's tending the sheep." Samuel told Jesse, "Send someone to get him. We won't continue until he gets here."

12So Jesse sent for him. He had a healthy complexion, attractive eyes, and a handsome appearance. The LORD said, "Go ahead, anoint him. He is the one." 13Samuel took the flask of olive oil and anointed David in the presence of his brothers. The LORD's Spirit came over David and stayed with him from that day on. Then Samuel left for Ramah.

14Now, the LORD's Spirit had left Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him. 15Saul's officials told him, "An evil spirit from God is tormenting you. 16Your Majesty, why don't you command us to look for a man who can play the lyre well? When the evil spirit from God comes to you, he'll strum a tune, and you'll feel better." 17Saul told his officials, "Please find me a man who can play well and bring him to me." 18One of the officials said, "I know one of Jesse's sons from Bethlehem who can play well. He's a courageous man and a warrior. He has a way with words, he is handsome, and the LORD is with him." 19Saul sent messengers to Jesse to say, "Send me your son David, who is with the sheep." 20Jesse took six bushels of bread, a full wineskin, and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul. 21David came to Saul and served him. Saul loved him very much and made David his armorbearer. 22Saul sent [this message] to Jesse, "Please let David stay with me because I have grown fond of him." 23Whenever God's spirit came to Saul, David took the lyre and strummed a tune. Saul got relief [from his terror] and felt better, and the evil spirit left him.