1 Samuel 16:1-10 ▼

1 The 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.|

2 Samuel 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.'

3 Then 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.|

4 Samuel 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?|

5 He 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.

6 When they arrived, Samuel noticed Eliab and said to himself, |Surely, here before the LORD stands his chosen king!|

7 But 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.|

8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and presented him to Samuel. But Samuel said, |The LORD has not chosen this one, either.|

9 Then Jesse presented Shammah. But Samuel said, |The LORD has not chosen this one either.|

10 Jesse presented seven of his sons to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, |The LORD has not chosen any of these.|