| New International Version | Berean Study Bible |
| 1The LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king." | 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.” |
| 2But Samuel said, "How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me." 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.’ |
| 3Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate." | 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 said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, "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?” |
| 5Samuel replied, "Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me." Then 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 saw Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD's anointed stands here before the LORD." | 6When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and said, “Surely here before the LORD is His anointed.” |
| 7But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at 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 had him pass in front of 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.” |
| 9Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, "Nor has the LORD chosen this one." | 9Next Jesse presented Shammah, but Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” |
| 10Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, "The LORD has not chosen these." | 10Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel told him, “The LORD has not chosen any of these.” |
| 11So he asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?" "There is still the youngest," Jesse answered. "He is tending the sheep." Samuel said, "Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives." | 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 he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, "Rise 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 of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. Samuel then 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 departed 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. |
| 15Saul's attendants said to him, "See, 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 command his servants here to search for someone who can play the lyre. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes on you, 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 attendants, "Find someone 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 the servants answered, "I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And 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.” |
| 19Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, "Send me your son David, who is 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 skin of wine and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul. | 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 entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers. | 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, "Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him." | 22Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Let David remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.” |
| 23Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him. | 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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