1 And יהוה said unto Shemuel, “How long wilt you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Yisrael? Fill your horn with oil, and go, I will send you to Jesse (Yishai) the Bethlehemite; for I have provided Me a king among his sons.

2 And Shemuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hear it, he will kill me.” And יהוה said, “Take a heifer with you, and say, I am come to sacrifice to יהוה.”

3 And call Jesse (Yishai) to the sacrifice, and I will shew you what you shalt do; and you shalt anoint unto Me him whom I name unto you.”

4 And Shemuel did that which יהוה spake, and came to Bethlehem (Beit-Lechem). And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, “Comest you peaceably?”

5 And he said, “Peaceably; I am come to sacrifice unto יהוה. Sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.” And he sanctified Jesse (Yishai) and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.

6 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliav, and said, “Surely יהוה’s anointed is before him.”

7 But יהוה said unto Shemuel, “Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him; for יהוה seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but יהוה looketh on the heart.”

8 Then Jesse (Yishai) called Abinadab, and made him pass before Shemuel. And he said, “Neither hath יהוה chosen this.”

9 Then Jesse (Yishai) made Shammah to pass by. And he said, “Neither hath יהוה chosen this.”

10 Again, Jesse (Yishai) made seven of his sons to pass before Shemuel. And Shemuel said unto Jesse (Yishai), “יהוה hath not chosen these.”

11 And Shemuel said unto Jesse (Yishai), “Are here all your children?” And he said, “There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep.” And Shemuel said unto Jesse (Yishai), “Send and fetch him; for we will not sit down till he come hither.”

12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And יהוה said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is he!”

13 Then Shemuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren; and the Spirit of יהוה came upon Dawid from that day forward. So Shemuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

14 But the Spirit of יהוה departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from יהוה troubled him.

15 And Saul’s servants said unto him, “Behold now, an evil spirit from God (Elohim) troubleth you.

16 Let our lord (adon) now command your servants, who are before you, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on a harp; and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God (Elohim) is upon you, that he shall play with his hand, and you shalt be well.”

17 And Saul said unto his servants, “Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.”

18 Then answered one of the servants, and said, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse (Yishai) the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and יהוה is with him.”

19 Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse (Yishai), and said, “Send me Dawid your son, which is with the sheep.”

20 And Jesse (Yishai) took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by Dawid his son unto Saul.

21 And Dawid came to Saul, and stood before him; and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer.

22 And Saul sent to Jesse (Yishai), saying, “Please let Dawid stand before me; for he hath found favor in my sight.”

23 And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God (Elohim) was upon Saul, that Dawid took a harp, and played with his hand. So Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.