Samuel’s trip to Bethlehem
1The LORD asked Samuel, “Why are you still mourning Saul? I fired him. He’s not the king anymore. What’s it going to take to get you past this? Put some olive oil in a container, an animal horn. Take it with you to Bethlehem. [1] I want you to meet Jesse and his sons who live there. I have picked one of Jesse’s sons as king.”2Samuel said, “If Saul hears about this, he’ll kill me.” But the LORD said, “Take a calf with you. Tell people you’ve come to offer a sacrifice to the LORD. 3Invite Jesse and his sons to the sacrificial meal. I’ll show you what to do. You’re going to use that olive oil to anoint [2] the one I have chosen as king.”
4Samuel did what the LORD said. He went to Bethlehem. City leaders were afraid to ask why he came there. Shaking with fear they said, “Did you come in peace?”
5Samuel said, “Yes. I came to sacrifice this calf to the LORD. Ritually cleanse [3] yourselves for worship and you can join me.” Samuel invited Jesse and his sons to the meal and led them through their cleansing rituals.
Sizing up Jesse’s sons
6When Jesse and his boys arrived, Samuel was impressed by Jesse’s son Eliab. Samuel thought, “He has to be the one the LORD picked.” 7The LORD told Samuel, “Don’t judge this man by how good he looks or how tall he is. I didn’t pick him. I don’t judge people like humans do. They judge by what they can see on the outside. The LORD judges by what’s on the inside—the heart with its character, integrity, and courage. [4]8Jesse called Abinadab to step forward and greet Samuel. But Samuel told Jesse, “The LORD hasn’t chosen him, either.” [5] 9Jesse called up Shammah. Samuel said, “No. The LORD didn’t pick him.” 10One by one, Jesse had all seven of his sons meet Samuel. But Samuel told him, “The LORD didn’t pick any of these men.”
God picks the runt, David
11Samuel asked Jesse, “Is that it? Are these all your sons?” Jesse said, “No. The youngest is out in the field with the sheep.” Samuel said, “Bring him here. We can’t eat this meal until he gets here.” 12Young David arrived, red-cheeked, bright-eyed, and good-looking. The LORD told Samuel, “He’s the one. Get up. Anoint him with your olive oil.”13Samuel poured the olive oil out of the horn and onto David’s head while his older brothers watched. The LORD’s Spirit [6] poured into David and stayed with him for the rest of his life. Afterward, Samuel returned home to Ramah.
Saul’s depression
14The LORD’s Spirit left Saul. In its place, the LORD sent a spirit [7] of depression which terrified Saul.15Saul’s servants told him, “Look, you’ve got some kind of evil spirit making your life miserable. 16Let’s do something about that. Give us your permission to find someone excellent at playing the small harp, the lyre. [8]When you feel that terrible spirit rising inside, the musician will strum the soothing strings, and you’ll feel better again.”
17Saul told his servants, “Go ahead. Find someone who can make a lyre sing. Bring him here.
David as music therapist
18One of the young servants said, “I know a man named Jesse in Bethlehem. He has a son who’s good with a lyre. And the young man is a brave warrior, good with words, and handsome. It’s obvious the LORD’s on his side.”19So Saul ordered servants to deliver this message to Jesse, “Send me your son, David, who watches the sheep.” 20Jesse sent David with gifts for Saul: a donkey, a young goat, bread, and a wineskin full of wine. 21David became one of Saul’s servants. Saul loved having David around and gave him the job of carrying his armor and weapons in battle.
22Saul sent word to Jesse, “I want to keep David with me. I like him.” 23Whenever the depressing spirit came after Saul, David picked up the lyre and played. The depressing spirit went away. And Saul felt like himself again.
