Bible Gateway passage: 1 Samuel 16:1-13 - New International Version (2024)

Samuel Anoints David

16The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn^(A) for Saul, since I have rejected^(B) him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil^(C) and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse^(D) of Bethlehem. I have chosen^(E) one of his sons to be king.”

²But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.”

The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ ³Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show^(F) you what to do. You are to anoint^(G) for me the one I indicate.”

⁴Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem,^(H) the elders of the town trembled^(I) when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?^(J)”

⁵Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate^(K) yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

⁶When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab^(L) and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.”

⁷But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance,^(M) but the Lord looks at the heart.”^(N)

⁸Then Jesse called Abinadab^(O) and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” ⁹Jesse then had Shammah^(P) pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” ¹⁰Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” ¹¹So he asked Jesse, “Are these all^(Q) the sons you have?”

“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”^(R)

Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”

¹²So he^(S) sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome^(T) features.

Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”

¹³So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed^(U) him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord^(V) came powerfully upon David.^(W) Samuel then went to Ramah.

Cross references

1. 1 Samuel 16:1 : S 1Sa 8:6; S 15:35
2. 1 Samuel 16:1 : S 1Sa 13:14
3. 1 Samuel 16:1 : S 1Sa 10:1
4. 1 Samuel 16:1 : S Ru 4:17
5. 1 Samuel 16:1 : 2Sa 5:2; 7:8; 1Ki 8:16; 1Ch 12:23; Ps 78:70; Ac 13:22
6. 1 Samuel 16:3 : Ex 4:15
7. 1 Samuel 16:3 : S Dt 17:15
8. 1 Samuel 16:4 : S Ge 48:7; Lk 2:4
9. 1 Samuel 16:4 : 1Sa 21:1
10. 1 Samuel 16:4 : 1Ki 2:13; 2Ki 9:17
11. 1 Samuel 16:5 : S Ex 19:10, 22
12. 1 Samuel 16:6 : 1Sa 17:13; 1Ch 2:13
13. 1 Samuel 16:7 : Ps 147:10
14. 1 Samuel 16:7 : S 1Sa 2:3; 2Sa 7:20; S Ps 44:21; S 139:23; S Rev 2:23
15. 1 Samuel 16:8 : 1Sa 17:13
16. 1 Samuel 16:9 : 1Sa 17:13; 2Sa 13:3; 21:21
17. 1 Samuel 16:11 : 1Sa 17:12
18. 1 Samuel 16:11 : S Ge 37:2; 2Sa 7:8
19. 1 Samuel 16:12 : 1Sa 9:17
20. 1 Samuel 16:12 : S Ge 39:6
21. 1 Samuel 16:13 : S 1Sa 2:35; S 2Sa 22:51
22. 1 Samuel 16:13 : 1Sa 18:12
23. 1 Samuel 16:13 : S 1Sa 11:6