1 Samuel 16:1-10 ▼

1 Now the LORD {YHWH} said to Samuel (his name is El), “How long are you going to mourn for Saul (desired), since I have rejected him as king over Israel (he wrestles with God)? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse (I possess) of Bethlehem (house of bread), for I have selected from his sons a king for Myself.”

2 “How can I go?” Samuel (his name is El) asked. “Saul (desired) will hear of it and kill me!” The LORD {YHWH} answered, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’

3 Then invite Jesse (I possess) to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you are to do. You are to anoint for Me the one I indicate.”

4 So Samuel (his name is El) did what the LORD {YHWH} had said and went to Bethlehem (house of bread). When the elders of the town met him, they trembled and asked, “Do you come in peace?”

5 “In peace,” he replied. “I have come to sacrifice to the LORD {YHWH}. Consecrate yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” Then he consecrated Jesse (I possess) and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab (God is father) and said, “Surely here before the LORD {YHWH} is His anointed.”

7 But the LORD {YHWH} said to Samuel (his name is El), “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”

8 Then Jesse (I possess) called Abinadab (my father is willing) and presented him to Samuel (his name is El), who said, “The LORD {YHWH} has not chosen this one either.”

9 Next Jesse (I possess) presented Shammah (Shimei), but Samuel said, “The LORD {YHWH} has not chosen this one either.”

10 Thus Jesse (I possess) made seven of his sons pass before Samuel (his name is El), but Samuel told him, “The LORD {YHWH} has not chosen any of these.”