| NET Bible | New International Version |
| 1The LORD said to Samuel, "How long do you intend to mourn for Saul? I have rejected him as king over Israel. Fill your horn with olive oil and go! I am sending you to Jesse in Bethlehem, for I have selected a king for myself from among his sons." | 1The 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." |
| 2Samuel replied, "How can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me!" But the LORD said, "Take a heifer with you and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.' | 2But Samuel said, "How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me." The LORD said, "Take a heifer with you and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.' |
| 3Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you should do. You will anoint for me the one I point out to you." | 3Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate." |
| 4Samuel did what the LORD told him. When he arrived in Bethlehem, the elders of the city were afraid to meet him. They said, "Do you come in peace?" | 4Samuel 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?" |
| 5He replied, "Yes, in peace. I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice." So he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. | 5Samuel 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. |
| 6When they arrived, Samuel noticed Eliab and said to himself, "Surely, here before the LORD stands his chosen king!" | 6When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD's anointed stands here before the LORD." |
| 7But the LORD said to Samuel, "Don't be impressed by his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. God does not view things the way men do. People look on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." | 7But 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 people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." |
| 8Then Jesse called Abinadab and presented him to Samuel. But Samuel said, "The LORD has not chosen this one, either." | 8Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, "The LORD has not chosen this one either." |
| 9Then Jesse presented Shammah. But Samuel said, "The LORD has not chosen this one either." | 9Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, "Nor has the LORD chosen this one." |
| 10Jesse presented seven of his sons to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, "The LORD has not chosen any of these." | 10Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, "The LORD has not chosen these." |
| 11Then Samuel said to Jesse, "Is that all of the young men?" Jesse replied, "There is still the youngest one, but he's taking care of the flock." Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and get him, for we cannot turn our attention to other things until he comes here." | 11So he asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?" "There is still the youngest," Jesse answered. "He is tending the sheep." Samuel said, "Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives." |
| 12So Jesse had him brought in. Now he was ruddy, with attractive eyes and a handsome appearance. The LORD said, "Go and anoint him. This is the one!" | 12So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; this is the one." |
| 13So Samuel took the horn full of olive oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers. The Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day onward. Then Samuel got up and went to Ramah. | 13So 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 powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah. |
| 14Now the Spirit of the LORD had turned away from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him. | 14Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him. |
| 15Then Saul's servants said to him, "Look, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you!" | 15Saul's attendants said to him, "See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. |
| 16Let our lord instruct his servants who are here before you to look for a man who knows how to play the lyre. Then whenever the evil spirit from God comes upon you, he can play the lyre and you will feel better." | 16Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the lyre. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes on you, and you will feel better." |
| 17So Saul said to his servants, "Find me a man who plays well and bring him to me." | 17So Saul said to his attendants, "Find someone who plays well and bring him to me." |
| 18One of his attendants replied, "I have seen a son of Jesse in Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave warrior and is articulate and handsome, for the LORD is with him." | 18One of the servants answered, "I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the LORD is with him." |
| 19So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, "Send me your son David, who is out with the sheep. | 19Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, "Send me your son David, who is with the sheep." |
| 20So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a container of wine, and a young goat and sent them to Saul with his son David. | 20So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul. |
| 21David came to Saul and stood before him. Saul liked him a great deal, and he became his armor bearer. | 21David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers. |
| 22Then Saul sent word to Jesse saying, "Let David be my servant, for I really like him." | 22Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, "Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him." |
| 23So whenever the spirit from God would come upon Saul, David would take his lyre and play it. This would bring relief to Saul and make him feel better. Then the evil spirit would leave him alone. | 23Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him. |
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