1 Samuel 16:14-17:11

New International Version

David in Saul’s Service

¹⁴ Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed^(A) from Saul, and an evil^[a] spirit^(B) from the Lord tormented him.^(C)

¹⁵ Saul’s attendants said to him, “See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. ¹⁶ Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the lyre.^(D) He will play when the evil spirit from God comes on you, and you will feel better.”

¹⁷ So Saul said to his attendants, “Find someone who plays well and bring him to me.”

¹⁸ One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse^(E) of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior.^(F) He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with^(G) him.”

¹⁹ Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.^(H)” ²⁰ So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread,^(I) a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul.

²¹ David came to Saul and entered his service.^(J) Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers. ²² Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.”

²³ Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit^(K) would leave him.

David and Goliath

17 Now the Philistines gathered their forces for war and assembled^(L) at Sokoh in Judah. They pitched camp at Ephes Dammim, between Sokoh^(M) and Azekah.^{(N) 2} Saul and the Israelites assembled and camped in the Valley of Elah^(O) and drew up their battle line to meet the Philistines. ³ The Philistines occupied one hill and the Israelites another, with the valley between them.

⁴ A champion named Goliath,^(P) who was from Gath, came out of the Philistine camp. His height was six cubits and a span.^{[b] 5} He had a bronze helmet on his head and wore a coat of scale armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels^[c]; ⁶ on his legs he wore bronze greaves, and a bronze javelin^(Q) was slung on his back. ⁷ His spear shaft was like a weaver’s rod,^(R) and its iron point weighed six hundred shekels.^[d] His shield bearer^(S) went ahead of him.

⁸ Goliath stood and shouted to the ranks of Israel, “Why do you come out and line up for battle? Am I not a Philistine, and are you not the servants of Saul? Choose^(T) a man and have him come down to me. ⁹ If he is able to fight and kill me, we will become your subjects; but if I overcome him and kill him, you will become our subjects and serve us.” ¹⁰ Then the Philistine said, “This day I defy^(U) the armies of Israel! Give me a man and let us fight each other.^(V)” ¹¹ On hearing the Philistine’s words, Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified.