1 Samuel 16:1–12

David Chosen to Be King

¹The Lord asked Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul now that I have rejected him as king of Israel? Fill a flask with olive oil and go. I’m sending you to Jesse in Bethlehem because I’ve selected one of his sons to be king.” 

²“How can I go?” Samuel asked. “When Saul hears about it, he’ll kill me.” 

The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I’ve come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ ³Invite Jesse to the sacrifice. I will reveal to you what you should do, and you will anoint for me the one I point out to you.” 

⁴Samuel did what the Lord told him. When he came to Bethlehem, the leaders of the city, trembling with fear, greeted him and said, “May peace be with you.” 

⁵“Greetings,” he replied, “I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Perform the ceremonies to make yourselves holy, and come with me to the sacrifice.” He performed the ceremonies for Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. ⁶When they came, he saw Eliab and thought, “Certainly, here in the Lord’s presence is his anointed king.” 

⁷But the Lord told Samuel, “Don’t look at his appearance or how tall he is, because I have rejected him. God does not see as humans see.^aHumans look at outward appearances, but the Lord looks into the heart.” 

⁸Then Jesse called Abinadab and brought him to Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” 

⁹Then Jesse had Shammah come to Samuel. “The Lord has not chosen this one either,” Samuel said. ¹⁰So Jesse brought seven ⸤more⸥ of his sons to Samuel, but Samuel told Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen ⸤any of⸥ these. ¹¹Are these all the sons you have?” 

“There’s still the youngest one,” Jesse answered. “He’s tending the sheep.” 

Samuel told Jesse, “Send someone to get him. We won’t continue until he gets here.” 

¹²So Jesse sent for him. He had a healthy complexion, attractive eyes, and a handsome appearance. The Lord said, “Go ahead, anoint him. He is the one.”