1 Samuel 16:14–23

David in Saul’s Court

¹⁴Now the Spirit of the Lord had left Saul, ^hand an evil spirit sent from the Lord began to torment him, ¹⁵so Saul’s servants said to him, “You see that an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. ¹⁶Let our lord command your servants here in your presence to look for someone who knows how to play the lyre. Whenever the evil spirit from God troubles you, that person can play the lyre, and you will feel better.” ⁱ

¹⁷Then Saul commanded his servants, “Find me someone who plays well and bring him to me.”

¹⁸One of the young men answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is also a valiant man, ^ja warrior, eloquent, handsome, and the Lord is with him.” ^k

¹⁹Then Saul dispatched 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 one young goat and sent them by his son David to Saul. ^l21When David came to Saul ^mand entered his service, Saul admired him greatly, and David became his armor-bearer. ²²Then Saul sent word to Jesse: “Let David remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.” ²³Whenever the spirit from God troubled Saul, ⁿDavid would pick up his lyre and play, and Saul would then be relieved, feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.