1 Samuel 16

And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.

God asked Samuel, "Why grieve for Saul when I've decided he's no longer fit to rule Israel? Take your oil, go to Jesse of Bethlehem. Among his sons, I've chosen a new king."

And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD.

Samuel worried, "What if I go and Saul finds out? He'll kill me." But the LORD reassured him, "Take a young cow with you and tell them, 'I'm here to offer a sacrifice to the LORD.'"

And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee.

Invite Jesse to the ceremony, and I'll guide you on what to do next. You'll then anoint the one I specifically point out to you.

And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?

Samuel, following God's instructions, arrived in Bethlehem. His presence stirred fear among the town's elders, who anxiously asked, "Are you here in peace?"

And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.

He spoke calmly, "I'm here to offer a sacrifice to the Lord. Prepare yourselves and join me." He then blessed Jesse and his sons, inviting them to the sacred ceremony.

And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD’s anointed is before him.

When they arrived, he gazed upon Eliab, and thought, "Certainly, this must be the one chosen by God."

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

God told Samuel, "Don't judge by his looks or height, I've not chosen him. People see the outer persona, but I see the heart."

Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.

Jesse summoned Abinadab, presenting him to Samuel. But he declared, "The LORD has not chosen him."

Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.

Jesse then presented Shammah, but Samuel said, "The LORD has not chosen this one either."

Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these.

Once more, Jesse presented his seven sons to Samuel. But Samuel, with a heavy heart, told Jesse, "God hasn't chosen any of these boys."

And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.

Samuel asked Jesse, "Are all your sons here?" Jesse replied, "The youngest is still out tending the sheep." Samuel insisted, "Bring him here. We won't rest until he arrives."

And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.

He called for him, bringing him forward. He was a handsome young man, with a radiant face and a striking appearance. God instructed, "Choose him, he's the one."

Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

Samuel, with a heart full of purpose, gently anointed David with sacred oil, surrounded by his brothers. From that moment, the divine spirit of the Lord filled David, guiding him onwards. Samuel, his duty fulfilled, peacefully returned to Ramah.

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

The Lord's divine presence left Saul, and in its place, a tormenting spirit from the Lord began to disturb him.

And Saul’s servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.

Saul's aides noticed his distress and told him, "It seems a malicious spirit from God is tormenting you."

Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well.

Let our lord command us, your servants, to find a skilled harpist. When you're troubled by a dark spirit from God, his music will soothe you and bring you peace.

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

Saul pleaded with his servants, "Find me a skilled musician and bring him to me, now!"

Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse 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 the LORD is with him.

One of the servants spoke up, "I've seen Jesse's son from Bethlehem. He's skilled, brave, wise, and handsome. Most importantly, God is with him."

Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep.

So, Saul sent a message to Jesse, pleading, "Please send me your son David, who is tending the sheep."

And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul.

Jesse, filled with concern, packed bread, wine, and a young goat onto a donkey. He entrusted these gifts to his son David, who he sent off to Saul with a hopeful heart.

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

David came to Saul and stood before him, ready to serve. Saul loved him greatly, and David became his armor-bearer.

And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight.

Saul reached out to Jesse, pleading, "Please, let David come to me. He has captured my heart."

And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.

When God's malevolent spirit gripped Saul, David strummed his harp. The soothing melody calmed Saul, healing him, and the dark spirit fled.