1 Samuel 16:1–7

Samuel Anoints David

16 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, i since I have rejected him as king over Israel? j Fill your horn with oil k and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem l because I have selected a king from his sons.”

2 Samuel asked, “How can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me!”

The Lord answered, “Take a young cow with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ m 3 Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will let you know what you are to do. n You are to anoint for Me the one I indicate to you.” o

4 Samuel did what the Lord directed and went to Bethlehem. p When the elders of the town met him, they trembled q and asked, “Do r you come in peace?” s

5 “In peace,” he replied. “I’ve come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves t and come with me to the sacrifice.” u Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab v and said, “Certainly the Lord’s anointed one is here before Him.”

7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or his stature, because I have rejected him. Man does not see what the Lord sees, w for man sees what is visible, x but the Lord sees the heart.” y