| NET Bible | New Living Translation |
| 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." | 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 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 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 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 which of his sons to anoint for me.” |
| 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?" | 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?” |
| 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. | 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 noticed Eliab and said to himself, "Surely, here before the LORD stands his chosen king!" | 6When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the LORD’s anointed!” |
| 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, “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.” |
| 8Then Jesse called Abinadab and presented him to Samuel. But Samuel said, "The LORD has not chosen this one, either." | 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 has not chosen this one either." | 9Next Jesse summoned Shimea, but Samuel said, “Neither is this the one the LORD has chosen.” |
| 10Jesse presented seven of his sons to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, "The LORD has not 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.” |
| 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." | 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 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 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 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 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 turned away from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him. | 14Now the Spirit of the LORD had left Saul, and the LORD sent a tormenting spirit that filled him with depression and fear. |
| 15Then Saul's servants said to him, "Look, 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 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 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.” |
| 17So Saul said to his servants, "Find me a man 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 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 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.” |
| 19So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, "Send me your son David, who is out 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 container of wine, and a young goat and sent them to Saul with his son David. | 20Jesse responded by sending David to Saul, along with a young goat, a donkey loaded with bread, and a wineskin full of wine. |
| 21David came to Saul and stood before him. Saul liked him a great deal, and he 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 saying, "Let David be my servant, for I really like him." | 22Then Saul sent word to Jesse asking, “Please let David remain in my service, for I am very 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. | 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. |
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