1 Samuel 16:6-13

Christian Standard Bible

⁶ When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab^(A) and said, “Certainly the Lord’s anointed one is here before him.”

⁷ But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or his stature because I have rejected him. Humans do not see what the Lord sees,^[a] for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.”^(B)

⁸ Jesse called Abinadab^(C) and presented him to Samuel. “The Lord hasn’t chosen this one either,” Samuel said. ⁹ Then Jesse presented Shammah,^(D) but Samuel said, “The Lord hasn’t chosen this one either.” ¹⁰ After Jesse presented seven of his sons to him, Samuel told Jesse, “The Lord hasn’t chosen any of these.” ¹¹ Samuel asked him, “Are these all the sons you have?”

“There is still the youngest,”^(E) he answered, “but right now he’s tending the sheep.” Samuel told Jesse, “Send for him. We won’t sit down to eat until he gets here.” ¹² So Jesse sent for him. He had beautiful eyes and a healthy,^[b] handsome appearance.^(F)

Then the Lord said, “Anoint him, for he is the one.”^{(G) 13} So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him^(H) in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully on David from that day forward.^(I) Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.