Samuel Anoints David
1 Samuel 16YHWH said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided a king for myself among his sons.”
Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.”
YHWH said, “Take a heifer with you, and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to YHWH.’ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint to me the one I say to you.”
Samuel did that which YHWH spoke, and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling, and said, “Do you come in peace?”
He said, “Yes, in Peace. I have come to sacrifice to YHWH. Y’all must consecrate yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” He sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice. When they had come, he looked at Eliab, and said, “Surely YHWH’s anointed is before him.”
But YHWH said to Samuel, “Don’t look on his face, or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for I don’t see as man sees. For man looks at the outward appearance, but YHWH looks at the heart.”
Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. He said, “YHWH has not chosen this one, either.” Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. He said, “YHWH has not chosen this one, either.” Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. Samuel said to Jesse, “YHWH has not chosen these.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your children here?”
He said, “There remains yet the youngest. Right now, he is keeping the sheep.”
Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we will not sit down until he comes here.”
He sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with a handsome face and good appearance. YHWH said, “Arise! Anoint him, for this is he.”
Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the middle of his brothers. Then the Spirit of YHWH came mightily on David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.
Saul Tormented by an Evil Spirit from YHWH
Now the Spirit of YHWH departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from YHWH tormented him. Saul’s servants said to him, “See now, an evil spirit from God troubles you. Let our lord command your servants in front of you to seek out a man who is a skillful player on the harp. Then when the evil spirit from God is on you, he will play with his hand, and you will be well.”
Saul said to his servants, “Y’all find someone who can play well, and bring him to me.”
David Sent to Comfort Saul
Then one of the young men answered and said, “I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a warrior, prudent in speech, and a handsome person, and YHWH is with him.”
Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, “Send me David your son, who is with the sheep.”
Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a container of wine, and a young goat, and sent them by David his son to Saul. David came to Saul and stood before him. He loved him greatly; and he became his armor bearer. Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Please let David stand before me, for he has found favor in my sight.” When the spirit from God was on Saul, David took the harp and played with his hand; so Saul was refreshed and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.