Samuel Anoints David

Now the LORD said to Samuel,“How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse vvv of Bethlehem, for I have selected from his sons a king for Myself.”

2 

“How can I go?” Samuel asked.“Saul will hear of it and kill me!”

The LORD answered,“Take vvv 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 are to do. You are to anoint for Me the one I indicate

4 

So Samuel did what the LORD had said and went vvv to Bethlehem. 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. Consecrate yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.”

Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and said,“Surely here before the LORD [is His] anointed.”

7 

But the LORD said to Samuel,“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 called Abinadab and presented him to Samuel, who said,“The LORD has not chosen this one either.”

9 

Next Jesse presented Shammah,[fn] but Samuel said,“The LORD has not chosen this one either.”

10 

Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel told him,“The LORD has not chosen any of these.”

11 

And Samuel asked him,“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 said,“Rise [and] anoint him, for he is the one.”

13 

So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.

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