1 Samuel 16:2-23 ▼

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.”

11 And Samuel (his name is El) asked him (I possess), “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied, “but he is tending the sheep.” “Send for him,” Samuel replied. “For we will not sit down to eat until he arrives.”

12 So Jesse sent for his youngest son and brought him in. He was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD {YHWH} said, “Rise and anoint him, for he is the one.”

13 So Samuel (his name is El) took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD {Ruach YHWH} rushed upon David (beloved) from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah (hill).

14 Now the Spirit of the LORD {Ruach YHWH} departed from Saul (desired), and a spirit {ruach} of distress (a harmful spirit) from the LORD began to torment him.

15 Saul’s (desired) servants said to him, “Surely a spirit {ruach} of distress from God {Elohim} is tormenting you.

16 Let our lord command your servants here to seek out someone who can skillfully play the harp. Whenever the spirit {ruach} of distress from God {Elohim} is upon you, he is to play it, and you will be well.”

17 And Saul (desired) commanded his servants, “Find me someone who plays well, and bring him to me.”

18 One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse (I possess) of Bethlehem (house of bread) who knows how to play the harp. He is a mighty man of valor, a warrior, eloquent and handsome, and the LORD {YHWH} is with him.”

19 So Saul (desired) sent messengers to Jesse (I possess) and said, “Send me your son David (beloved), who is with the sheep.”

20 And Jesse (I possess) took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine, and one young goat and sent them to Saul (desired) with his son David (beloved).

21 When David (beloved) came to Saul (desired) and entered his service, Saul loved him very much, and David became his armor-bearer.

22 Then Saul (desired) sent word to Jesse (I possess), saying, “Let David (beloved) remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.”

23 And whenever the spirit {ruach} from God {Elohim} came upon Saul (desired), David (beloved) would pick up his harp and play. Then Saul would find relief and feel better, and the spirit of distress would depart from him.