1 Samuel 16

David Gets Chosen

1 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long are you going to cry over Saul, I already moved on. Fill your flask with oil and head to Bethlehem. Find Jesse, I picked one of his sons to be king.”

2 Samuel said, “But if Saul hears I am doing that, he will kill me!” God said, “Take a young cow and say, ‘I came to make a sacrifice to the Lord.’”

3 “Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do next. Anoint the one I point out.”

The Search for the New King

4 Samuel did what God said and went to Bethlehem. The town elders got nervous when he showed up. “You come in peace,” they asked.

5 He said, “Yeah, peace. I came to sacrifice to the Lord. Clean yourselves up and come with me.” Then he purified Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

6 When they showed up, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “This must be the one God picked, he looks the part.”

7 But God said, “Do not get fooled by his looks or height. I already passed on him. People look at the outside, I am looking at the heart.”

8 Then Jesse called Abinadab. Samuel said, “Nope, not him either.”

9 Next up was Shammah. Samuel said, “Nah, not him.”

10 Jesse brought seven of his sons, and each time Samuel said, “This is not the one.”

David the Young One

11 Samuel asked, “You got any more sons,” Jesse said, “Yeah, the youngest, but he out watching sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him. We are not sitting down till he gets here.”

12 They brought David in, he was young, glowing, handsome, and had that look in his eyes. God said, “That is the one. Get up and anoint him.”

13 Samuel pulled out the oil and anointed David right in front of his brothers. God’s Spirit rushed on David from that day forward. Then Samuel went back to Ramah.

Saul Loses God’s Favor

14 Meanwhile, the Spirit of the Lord left Saul, and a tormenting spirit from God started messing with him hard.

15 Saul’s servants said, “You got a dark spirit hanging over you. Let us help.”

16 “Let us find someone who can play the harp. When the bad spirit hits, he will play, and you will feel better.”

17 Saul said, “Go find me someone who plays nice, bring him to me.”

18 One servant said, “I know a guy, Jesse’s son from Bethlehem. He plays the harp, got skills, speaks well, looks good, and the Lord is with him.”

David Steps Into the Palace

19 So Saul sent messengers to Jesse: “Send me your son David, the one watching sheep.”

20 Jesse loaded a donkey with bread, wine, and a goat, and sent David to Saul.

21 David came to Saul and started working for him. Saul liked him a lot, made him his armor-bearer.

22 Saul sent word to Jesse: “Let David stay, I like how he rolls.”

23 Whenever that tormenting spirit came on Saul, David would grab his harp and play. Then Saul would calm down, feel better, and the spirit would bounce.