| Christian Standard Bible | New Living Translation |
| 1The LORD said to Samuel, "How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem because I have selected a king from his sons." | 1Now the LORD said to Samuel, “You have mourned long enough for Saul. I have rejected him as king of Israel, so fill your flask with olive oil and go to Bethlehem. Find a man named Jesse who lives there, for I have selected one of his sons to be my king.” |
| 2Samuel asked, "How can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me!" The LORD answered, "Take a young cow with you and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.' | 2But Samuel asked, “How can I do that? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” “Take a heifer with you,” the LORD replied, “and say that you have come to make a sacrifice to the LORD. |
| 3Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will let you know what you are to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate to you." | 3Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you which of his sons to anoint for me.” |
| 4Samuel did what the LORD directed and went to Bethlehem. When the elders of the town met him, they trembled and asked, "Do you come in peace?" | 4So Samuel did as the LORD instructed. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town came trembling to meet him. “What’s wrong?” they asked. “Do you come in peace?” |
| 5"In peace," he replied. "I've come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice." Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. | 5“Yes,” Samuel replied. “I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Purify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” Then Samuel performed the purification rite for Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice, too. |
| 6When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and said, "Certainly the LORD's anointed one is here before him." | 6When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the LORD’s anointed!” |
| 7But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or his stature because I have rejected him. Humans do not see what the LORD sees, for humans see what is visible, but the LORD sees the heart." | 7But the LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” |
| 8Jesse called Abinadab and presented him to Samuel. "The LORD hasn't chosen this one either," Samuel said. | 8Then Jesse told his son Abinadab to step forward and walk in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “This is not the one the LORD has chosen.” |
| 9Then Jesse presented Shammah, but Samuel said, "The LORD hasn't chosen this one either." | 9Next Jesse summoned Shimea, but Samuel said, “Neither is this the one the LORD has chosen.” |
| 10After Jesse presented seven of his sons to him, Samuel told Jesse, "The LORD hasn't chosen any of these." | 10In the same way all seven of Jesse’s sons were presented to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen any of these.” |
| 11Samuel asked him, "Are these all the sons you have?" "There is still the youngest," he answered, "but right now he's tending the sheep." Samuel told Jesse, "Send for him. We won't sit down to eat until he gets here." | 11Then Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. “But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.” “Send for him at once,” Samuel said. “We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.” |
| 12So Jesse sent for him. He had beautiful eyes and a healthy, handsome appearance. Then the LORD said, "Anoint him, for he is the one." | 12So Jesse sent for him. He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes. And the LORD said, “This is the one; anoint him.” |
| 13So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully on David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah. | 13So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah. David Serves in Saul’s Court |
| 14Now the Spirit of the LORD had left Saul, and an evil spirit sent from the LORD began to torment him, | 14Now the Spirit of the LORD had left Saul, and the LORD sent a tormenting spirit that filled him with depression and fear. |
| 15so Saul's servants said to him, "You see that an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. | 15Some of Saul’s servants said to him, “A tormenting spirit from God is troubling you. |
| 16Let our lord command your servants here in your presence to look for someone who knows how to play the lyre. Whenever the evil spirit from God comes on you, that person can play the lyre, and you will feel better." | 16Let us find a good musician to play the harp whenever the tormenting spirit troubles you. He will play soothing music, and you will soon be well again.” |
| 17Then Saul commanded his servants, "Find me someone who plays well and bring him to me." | 17“All right,” Saul said. “Find me someone who plays well, and bring him here.” |
| 18One of the young men answered, "I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is also a valiant man, a warrior, eloquent, handsome, and the LORD is with him." | 18One of the servants said to Saul, “One of Jesse’s sons from Bethlehem is a talented harp player. Not only that—he is a brave warrior, a man of war, and has good judgment. He is also a fine-looking young man, and the LORD is with him.” |
| 19Then Saul dispatched messengers to Jesse and said, "Send me your son David, who is with the sheep." | 19So Saul sent messengers to Jesse to say, “Send me your son David, the shepherd.” |
| 20So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a wineskin, and one young goat and sent them by his son David to Saul. | 20Jesse responded by sending David to Saul, along with a young goat, a donkey loaded with bread, and a wineskin full of wine. |
| 21When David came to Saul and entered his service, Saul loved him very much, and David became his armor-bearer. | 21So David went to Saul and began serving him. Saul loved David very much, and David became his armor bearer. |
| 22Then Saul sent word to Jesse: "Let David remain in my service, for he has found favor with me." | 22Then Saul sent word to Jesse asking, “Please let David remain in my service, for I am very pleased with him.” |
| 23Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would pick up his lyre and play, and Saul would then be relieved, feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him. | 23And whenever the tormenting spirit from God troubled Saul, David would play the harp. Then Saul would feel better, and the tormenting spirit would go away. |
| The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. | Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. |
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