| NET Bible | Berean Study Bible |
| 1The 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." | 1Now 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 of Bethlehem, for I have selected from his sons a king for Myself.” |
| 2Samuel 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.' | 2“How can I go?” Samuel asked. “Saul will hear of it and kill me!” The LORD answered, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ |
| 3Then 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." | 3Then 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.” |
| 4Samuel 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?" | 4So Samuel did what the LORD had said and went to Bethlehem. When the elders of the town met him, they trembled and asked, “Do you come in peace?” |
| 5He 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. | 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. |
| 6When they arrived, Samuel noticed Eliab and said to himself, "Surely, here before the LORD stands his chosen king!" | 6When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and said, “Surely here before the LORD is His anointed.” |
| 7But 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." | 7But 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.” |
| 8Then Jesse called Abinadab and presented him to Samuel. But Samuel said, "The LORD has not chosen this one, either." | 8Then Jesse called Abinadab and presented him to Samuel, who said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” |
| 9Then Jesse presented Shammah. But Samuel said, "The LORD has not chosen this one either." | 9Next Jesse presented Shammah, but Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” |
| 10Jesse presented seven of his sons to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, "The LORD has not chosen any of these." | 10Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel told him, “The LORD has not chosen any of these.” |
| 11Then Samuel said to Jesse, "Is that all of the young men?" Jesse replied, "There is still the youngest one, but he's taking care of the flock." Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and get him, for we cannot turn our attention to other things until he comes here." | 11And 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.” |
| 12So Jesse had him brought in. Now he was ruddy, with attractive eyes and a handsome appearance. The LORD said, "Go and anoint him. This is the one!" | 12So 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.” |
| 13So Samuel took the horn full of olive oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers. The Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day onward. Then Samuel got up and went to Ramah. | 13So 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. |
| 14Now the Spirit of the LORD had turned away from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him. | 14After the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, a spirit of distress from the LORD began to torment him. |
| 15Then Saul's servants said to him, "Look, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you!" | 15Saul’s servants said to him, “Surely a spirit of distress from God is tormenting you. |
| 16Let our lord instruct his servants who are here before you to look for a man who knows how to play the lyre. Then whenever the evil spirit from God comes upon you, he can play the lyre and you will feel better." | 16Let our lord command your servants here to seek out someone who can skillfully play the harp. Whenever the spirit of distress from God is upon you, he is to play it, and you will be well.” |
| 17So Saul said to his servants, "Find me a man who plays well and bring him to me." | 17And Saul commanded his servants, “Find me someone who plays well, and bring him to me.” |
| 18One of his attendants replied, "I have seen a son of Jesse in Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave warrior and is articulate and handsome, for the LORD is with him." | 18One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a mighty man of valor, a warrior, eloquent and handsome, and the LORD is with him.” |
| 19So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, "Send me your son David, who is out with the sheep. | 19So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.” |
| 20So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a container of wine, and a young goat and sent them to Saul with his son David. | 20And Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine, and one young goat, and sent them to Saul with his son David. |
| 21David came to Saul and stood before him. Saul liked him a great deal, and he became his armor bearer. | 21When David came to Saul and entered his service, Saul admired him greatly, and David became his armor-bearer. |
| 22Then Saul sent word to Jesse saying, "Let David be my servant, for I really like him." | 22Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Let David remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.” |
| 23So whenever the spirit from God would come upon Saul, David would take his lyre and play it. This would bring relief to Saul and make him feel better. Then the evil spirit would leave him alone. | 23And whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would pick up his harp and play, and Saul would become well, and the spirit of distress would depart from him. |
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