4. Samuel 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.
6. When they came, he saw Eliab and thought, “Certainly, here in the Lord’s presence is his anointed king.”
7. But 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. Humans look at outward appearances, but the Lord looks into the heart.”
8. Then Jesse called Abinadab and brought him to Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.”
9. Then Jesse had Shammah come to Samuel. “The Lord has not chosen this one either,” Samuel said.
10. So Jesse brought seven ⌊more⌋ of his sons to Samuel, but Samuel told Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen ⌊any of⌋ these.
11. Are 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.”
12. So 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.”
13. Samuel took the flask of olive oil and anointed David in the presence of his brothers. The Lord’s Spirit came over David and stayed with him from that day on. Then Samuel left for Ramah.
14. Now, the Lord’s Spirit had left Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him.
15. Saul’s officials told him, “An evil spirit from God is tormenting you.
16. Your Majesty, why don’t you command us to look for a man who can play the lyre well? When the evil spirit from God comes to you, he’ll strum a tune, and you’ll feel better.”
17. Saul told his officials, “Please find me a man who can play well and bring him to me.”
18. One of the officials said, “I know one of Jesse’s sons from Bethlehem who can play well. He’s a courageous man and a warrior. He has a way with words, he is handsome, and the Lord is with him.”
19. Saul sent messengers to Jesse to say, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.”