David Anointed, Saul Tormented, and the Harp That Calms

The Lord told Samuel to stop mourning Saul. The rejection was final, and a new king had already been provided among the sons of Jesse of Bethlehem. Samuel was to fill his horn with oil and go.

Samuel hesitated. If Saul heard of it, he would kill him. The Lord gave him a cover: take a heifer, say you have come to sacrifice, and call Jesse to the sacrifice. There Samuel would be shown whom to anoint.

Samuel obeyed and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city met him trembling and asked if he came peaceably. He said he did, consecrated Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.

When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab, Jesse's eldest son, and thought, Surely the Lord's anointed is before him. But the Lord said no. Do not look on his countenance or the height of his stature, for the Lord does not see as man sees. Man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.

Jesse then made Abinadab pass before Samuel. Not chosen. Then Shammah. Not chosen. Seven sons passed before Samuel, and for each the word was the same: the Lord has not chosen this one.

Samuel asked Jesse if these were all his children. Jesse said there remained the youngest, who was keeping the sheep. Samuel insisted he be sent for, and they would not sit down until he came.

They sent and brought him in. He was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a good appearance. The Lord said, Arise, anoint him; for this is he. Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed David in the midst of his brothers. From that day forward, the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon David. Then Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.

But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him. Saul's servants saw it and proposed a remedy: let a skilled harp player be brought, and when the evil spirit came, the music would soothe him.

Saul agreed and ordered them to find such a man. One of the young men spoke up. He had seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who was skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and comely, and the Lord was with him.

Saul sent messengers to Jesse, demanding David his son, who was with the sheep. Jesse sent David to Saul with a donkey loaded with bread, a bottle of wine, and a young goat. David came and stood before Saul, and Saul loved him greatly and made him his armor-bearer.

Saul sent word to Jesse that David had found favor in his sight and should remain in his service. Whenever the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, David took the harp and played. Saul was refreshed and well, and the evil spirit departed from him.