Thematic Bible
1 Samuel 16:1 (show verse)
And then the LORD said unto Samuel, "How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have cast him away from reigning over Israel? Fill a horn with ointment, and come: I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have spied me a king among his sons."
1 Samuel 16:2 (show verse)
But Samuel answered, "How shall I go? For Saul shall hear it and will kill me." And the LORD said, "Take a heifer with thee, and say thou goest to offer to the LORD.
1 Samuel 16:3 (show verse)
And call Jesse to the offering, and I will show thee what thou shalt do: And thou shalt anoint him whom I say unto thee."
1 Samuel 16:4 (show verse)
And Samuel did as the LORD bade him. And when he came to Bethlehem, the elders of the town were astonished at his coming, and said, "Betokeneth thy coming peace?"
1 Samuel 16:5 (show verse)
And he said "Yea, for I am come to offer unto the LORD. Cleanse yourselves and come with me to the offering." And he purified Jesse and his sons, and bade them to the offering.
1 Samuel 16:6 (show verse)
And when they were come, he looked on Eliab and said, "The LORD's anointed is before him."
1 Samuel 16:7 (show verse)
But the LORD said unto Samuel, "Look not on his fashion nor on the height of his stature, for I have refused him. Because it is not as man seeth. For man looketh on the outward appearance: but the LORD beholdeth the heart."
1 Samuel 16:8 (show verse)
Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him come before Samuel. And he said, "Neither hath the LORD chosen this."
1 Samuel 16:9 (show verse)
Then Jesse made Shammah come, and he said, "Neither hath the LORD chosen him."
1 Samuel 16:10 (show verse)
Then made Jesse seven of his sons come before Samuel. And Samuel said, "The LORD hath chosen none of these."
1 Samuel 16:11 (show verse)
Then said Samuel to Jesse, "Are here all thy children?" And he said, "The youngest is yet behind. Behold, he keepeth the sheep." Then Samuel said unto Jesse, "Send and fetch him for we will not sit down, till he be come hither."
1 Samuel 16:12 (show verse)
And he sent and brought him in. And he was brown with goodly eyes, and well favoured in sight. And then the LORD said, "Up and anoint him: for this is he."
1 Samuel 16:13 (show verse)
And Samuel took the horn with the ointment and anointed him in the presence of his brethren. And the spirit of the LORD came upon David, from that day forward. And Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.
1 Samuel 16:14 (show verse)
But the spirit of the LORD departed from Saul; and an evil spirit, sent of the LORD, vexed him.
1 Samuel 16:15 (show verse)
Then said his servants unto him, "Behold, an evil spirit sent of God vexeth thee.
1 Samuel 16:16 (show verse)
Let our lord therefore command his servants to seek a man that is a cunning player with a harp. And then when the evil spirit sent of God cometh upon thee, that he may play with his hand and thou shalt be eased."
1 Samuel 16:17 (show verse)
And Saul said unto his servants, "Seek me a man that can well play, and bring him to me."
1 Samuel 16:18 (show verse)
Then answered one of his servants and said, "Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that can play upon instruments, and is an active fellow and a man of war and prudent and well made, and the LORD is with him."
1 Samuel 16:19 (show verse)
Whereupon Saul sent messengers unto Jesse and said, "Send me David thy son which is with the sheep."
1 Samuel 16:20 (show verse)
And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a flacket of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul.
1 Samuel 16:21 (show verse)
And David went to Saul and came before him, and he loved him very well; so that he was made his harness bearer.
1 Samuel 16:22 (show verse)
And Saul sent to Jesse saying, "Let David remain with me, for he hath found favour in my sight."
1 Samuel 16:23 (show verse)
And when the spirit of God came upon Saul, David took a harp and played with his hand, and so Saul was refreshed, and did amend; and the evil spirit departed from him.