Samuel Goes to Bethlehem

1Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for [a]Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, because I have chosen a king for Myself among his sons.” 2But Samuel said, “How can I go? When Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” But the LORD said, “Take a heifer [b]with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ 3And you shall invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will let you know what you shall do; and you shall anoint for Me the one whom I [c]designate to you.” 4So Samuel did what the LORD told him, and he came to Bethlehem. Then the elders of the city came trembling to meet him and said, “Do you come in peace?” 5And he said, “In peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” He also consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

6When they entered, he looked at Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’S anointed is standing before Him.” 7But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for [d]God does not see as man sees, since man looks at [e]the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 8Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass before Samuel. But he said, “The LORD has not chosen this one, either.” 9Next Jesse had [f]Shammah pass by. And he said, “The LORD has not chosen this one, either.” 10So Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Are these all the boys?” And he said, “The youngest is still left, but behold, he is tending the sheep.” So Samuel said to Jesse, “Send word and bring him; for we will not take our places at the table until he comes here.”

David Anointed