1 Samuel 16

All 23 verses in the Clear Bible Translation. Tap a verse to compare the KJV and read what it means.

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1. 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 go; I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have chosen a king for myself among his sons."
2. 2Samuel said, "How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me." The LORD said, "Take a young cow with you and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.'"
3. 3Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You shall anoint for me the one I name to you.
4. 4Samuel did what the LORD told him and traveled to Bethlehem. When the town elders came out to meet him, they were trembling. "Are you here in peace?" they asked.
5. 5"Yes, in peace," he replied. "I've come to offer a sacrifice to the LORD. Make yourselves holy and join me." Then he made Jesse and his sons holy and invited them to the sacrifice.
6. 6When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely this must be the one the LORD has chosen."
7. 7But the LORD told Samuel, "Don't focus on how he looks or how tall he stands — I've rejected him. The LORD doesn't see things the way people do. People judge by outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
8. 8Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him walk before Samuel. But Samuel said, "The LORD hasn't chosen this one either."
9. 9Next Jesse brought Shammah forward. Again Samuel said, "The LORD hasn't chosen this one either."
10. 10Once more, Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel told him, "The LORD hasn't chosen any of these."
11. 11Then Samuel asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?" Jesse answered, "There's still the youngest, but he's out tending the sheep." Samuel said, "Send for him. We won't sit down until he gets here."
12. 12So Jesse sent for him, and he was brought in. He had a ruddy complexion, with beautiful features and a handsome appearance. The LORD said, "Arise, anoint him; for this is he."
13. 13Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him right there in front of his brothers. From that day forward, the Spirit of the LORD came upon David. Then Samuel left and returned to Ramah.
14. 14But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.
15. 15Saul's servants said to him, "It's clear that an evil spirit from God is tormenting you.
16. 16"Give us the order, and your servants here will find a man who's skilled at playing the harp. Whenever the evil spirit from God comes over you, he can play, and you'll feel better."
17. 17Saul told his servants, "Find me someone who plays well and bring him to me."
18. 18One of the servants spoke up: "I've seen a son of Jesse from Bethlehem who is a talented musician, a mighty valiant man, a man of war, prudent in matters, good-looking, and the LORD is with him."
19. 19So Saul sent messengers to Jesse with this request: "Send me your son David, the one who tends the sheep."
20. 20Jesse loaded a donkey with bread, a container of wine, and a young goat, and sent David to deliver them to Saul.
21. 21David came to Saul and stood before him. Saul loved him greatly and made him his armor bearer.
22. 22Saul sent word to Jesse: "Please let David stay in my service. I'm very pleased with him."
23. 23Whenever the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would be refreshed and feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.