1And the LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king of Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go; I will send you to Jesse, the Bethlehemite: for I have provided Me a king from among his sons.” 2And Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me.” And the LORD said, “Take a heifer with you, and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ 3And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; and you shall anoint for Me the one whom I name to you.” 4And Samuel did what the LORD said, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, “Do you come in peace?” 5And he said, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice unto the LORD. Sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.” And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.

6And when they arrived, Samuel looked at Eliab (Jesse’s eldest son), and said, “Surely the LORD's anointed stands before Him.” 7But the LORD told Samuel, “Do not look at his countenance, or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him; for the LORD does not see as man sees - man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” 8Then Jesse called Abinadab (his 2^nd) , and had him pass before Samuel. And he said, “Neither has the LORD chosen this one.” 9Then Jesse made Shammah (Shimea – his 3^rd) pass by. And Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” 10And so, Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen any of these.” 11Then Samuel asked Jesse, “Are all your children here?” And he said, “There is yet the youngest, and he is off keeping the sheep.” And Samuel told Jesse, “Send and fetch him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.” 12And Jesse sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and of a beautiful countenance, and handsome. And the LORD said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is he.” 13Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed David in the presence of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day onward. Then Samuel arose, and went to Ramah.

14But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the LORD troubled him. 15And Saul's servants said to him, “A distressing spirit from God troubles you. 16Let our lord now command your servants who are here, to find a man who is a skillful player on a harp; and then, when the distressing spirit from God is upon you, he shall play with his hand, and you shall feel better.” 17And Saul said to his servants, “Find me a man that can play well, and bring him to me.” 18Then one of his servants said, “I have seen a son of Jesse, the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, and also a mighty, valiant man of war, prudent in matters, and an agreeable person, and the LORD is with him.” 19Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, “Send me David, your son, who is with the sheep.” 20And Jesse took a donkey laden with bread, a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David, his son, to Saul. 21And David came to Saul, and stood before him; and Saul liked him very much; and David became his armor-bearer. 22And Saul sent a message to Jesse, saying, “Please let David stand before me; for he has found favor in my sight.” 23And when the distressing spirit from God was upon Saul, David took a harp, and played it; and so, Saul was refreshed, and would feel better, and the distressing spirit left him.