David Anointed and Brought to Saul
1 Samuel 16
The Lord sends Samuel to Jessae of Bethleem, where, passing over the elder sons, he anoints the youngest son David, and the Spirit of the Lord comes upon David from that day; meanwhile an evil spirit troubles Saul, and David is brought to the court to play the harp, easing Saul whenever the evil spirit comes upon him.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonBECAUSE Samuel mourned for Saul, and the Lord repented that He had made Saul king over Israel, therefore the Lord said to Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul? As for Me, I have rejected him from being king over Israel. Fill thy horn with oil, and come, let Me send thee to Jessai to Bethlehem; for I have seen among his sons a king for Me.
BrentonAnd the Lord said to Samuel, How long dost thou mourn for Saul, whereas I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill thy horn with oil, and come, I will send thee to Jessæ, to Bethleem; for I have seen among his sons a king for me.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Κύριος πρὸς Σαμουήλ, ἕως πότε σὺ πενθεῖς ἐπὶ Σαοὺλ, κᾀγω ἐξουδένωκα αὐτὸν, μὴ βασιλεύειν ἐπὶ Ἰσραήλ; πλῆσον τὸ κέρας σου ἐλαίου, καὶ δεῦρο ἀποστείλω σε πρὸς Ἰεσσαὶ ἕως Βηθλεὲμ, ὅτι ἑώρακα ἐν τοῖς υἱοῖς αὐτοῦ ἐμοὶ βασιλέα.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd the LORD said unto Samuel: ‘How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from being king over Israel? fill thy horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Beth-lehemite; for I have provided Me a king among his sons.’
2
ThomsonAnd Samuel said, How can I go? Saul will hear and will kill me. And the Lord said, Take with thee a heifer from the kine, and thou shalt say, I come to sacrifice to the Lord;
BrentonAnd Samuel said, How can I go? whereas Saul will hear of it, and slay me: and the Lord said, Take a heifer in thine hand and thou shalt say, I am come to sacrifice to the Lord.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Σαμουὴλ πῶς πορευθῶ; καὶ ἀκούσεται Σαοὺλ, καὶ ἀποκτενεῖ με· καὶ εἶπε Κύριος, δάμαλιν βοῶν λάβε ἐν τῇ χειρί σου, καὶ ἐρεῖς, θῦσαι τῷ Κυρίῳ ἥκω.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd Samuel said: ‘How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me.’ And the LORD said: ‘Take a heifer with thee, and say: I am come to sacrifice to the LORD.
3
Thomsonand thou shalt invite Jessai to the sacrifice, and I will let thee know what thou shalt do, and thou shalt anoint him whom I point out to thee.
BrentonAnd thou shalt call Jessæ to the sacrifice, and I will make known to thee what thou shalt do; and thou shalt anoint him whom I shall mention to thee.
GreekΚαὶ καλέσεις τὸν Ἰεσσαὶ εἰς τὴν θυσίαν, καὶ γνωριῶ σοι ἃ ποιήσεις· καὶ χρίσεις ὃν ἂν εἴπω πρὸς σέ.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will tell thee what thou shalt do; and thou shalt anoint unto Me him whom I name unto thee.’
4
ThomsonSo Samuel did all that the Lord spoke to him. Now when he came to Bethlehem, the elders of the city were surprised at meeting him, and said, Seer! Is thy coming peaceable?
BrentonAnd Samuel did all that the Lord told him; and he came to Bethleem: and the elders of the city were amazed at meeting him, and said, Dost thou come peaceably, thou Seer?
GreekΚαὶ ἐποίησε Σαμουὴλ πάντα ἃ ἐλάλησεν αὐτῷ Κύριος· καὶ ἦλθεν εἰς Βηθλεὲμ, καὶ ἐξέστησαν οἱ πρεσβύτεροι τῆς πόλεως τῇ ἀπαντήσει αὐτοῦ, καὶ εἶπαν, ἢ εἰρήνη ἡ εἴσοδός σου ὁ βλέπων;
KJVAnd 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?
JPSAnd Samuel did that which the LORD spoke, and came to Beth-lehem. And the elders of the city came to meet him trembling, and said: ‘Comest thou peaceably?’
5
ThomsonAnd he said, It is peaceable. I come to sacrifice to the Lord. Sanctify yourselves, and rejoice with me to-day.
BrentonAnd he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice to the Lord. Sanctify yourselves, and rejoice with me this day: and he sanctified Jessæ and his sons, and he called them to the sacrifice.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπεν, εἰρήνη· θῦσαι τῷ Κυρίῳ ἥκω· ἁγιάσθητε καὶ εὐφράνθητε μετʼ ἐμοῦ σήμερον· καὶ ἡγίασε τὸν Ἰεσσαὶ καὶ τοὺς υἱοὺς αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἐκάλεσεν αὐτοὺς εἰς τὴν θυσίαν.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd 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.
6
ThomsonAnd when he was hallowing Jessai and his sons and inviting them to the sacrifice, he beheld Eliab as they were coming in and said, Is not the Lord’s anointed before Him?
BrentonAnd it came to pass when they came in, that he saw Eliab, and said, Surely the Lord's anointed is before him.
GreekΚαὶ ἐγενήθη ἐν τῷ εἰσιέναι αὐτοὺς, καὶ εἶδε τὸν Ἑλιάβ, καὶ εἶπεν, ἀλλὰ καὶ ἐνώπιον Κυρίου χριστὸς αὐτοῦ.
KJVAnd it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD’s anointed is before him.
JPSAnd it came to pass, when they were come, that he beheld Eliab, and said: ‘Surely the LORD’S anointed is before Him.’
7
ThomsonBut the Lord said to Samuel, Look not on his countenance, nor the height of his stature, for I have rejected him: for God looketh not superficially as man looketh; for man looketh at the outward appearance, but God will look to the heart.
BrentonBut the Lord said to Samuel, Look not on his appearance, nor on his stature, for I have rejected him; for God sees not as a man looks; for man looks at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Κύριος πρὸς Σαμουὴλ, μὴ ἐπιβλέψῃς ἐπὶ τὴν ὄψιν αὐτοῦ, μηδὲ εἰς τὴν ἕξιν μεγέθους αὐτοῦ, ὅτι ἐξουδένωκα αὐτόν· ὅτι οὐχ ὡς ἐμβλέψεται ἄνθρωπος, ὄψεται ὁ Θεός· ὅτι ἄνθρωπος ὅψεται εἰς πρόσωπον, ὁ δὲ Θεὸς ὄψεται εἰς καρδίαν.
KJVBut 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.
JPSBut the LORD said unto Samuel: ‘Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have rejected him; for it is not as man seeth: for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.’
8
ThomsonThen Jessai called Aminadab, and he passed by before Samuel. And when he said God hath not chosen him,
BrentonAnd Jessæ called Aminadab, and he passed before Samuel: and he said, Neither has God chosen this one.
GreekΚαὶ ἐκάλεσεν Ἰεσσαὶ τὸν ʼΑμιναδὰβ, καὶ παρῆλθε κατὰ πρόσωπον Σαμουήλ. καὶ εἶπεν οὐδὲ τοῦτον ἐξελέξατο ὁ Θεός.
KJVThen Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.
JPSThen Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said: ‘Neither hath the LORD chosen this.’
9
ThomsonJessai brought forward Sama; but he said, Neither hath the Lord made choice of him.
BrentonAnd Jessæ caused Sama to pass by: and he said, Neither has God chosen this one.
GreekΚαὶ παρήγαγεν Ἰεσσαὶ τὸν Σαμά· καὶ εἶπε, καὶ ἐν τούτῳ οὐκ ἐξελέξατο Κύριος.
KJVThen Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.
JPSThen Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said: ‘Neither hath the LORD chosen this.’
10
ThomsonAnd when Jessai had brought his seven sons before Samuel, Samuel said, The Lord hath not made a choice among these.
BrentonAnd Jessæ caused his seven sons to pass before Samuel: and Samuel said, The Lord has not chosen these.
GreekΚαὶ παρήγαγεν Ἰεσσαὶ τοὺς ἑπτὰ υἱοὺς αὐτοῦ ἐνώπιον Σαμουήλ· καὶ εἶπε Σαμουὴλ, οὐκ ἐξελέξατο Κύριος ἐν τούτοις.
KJVAgain, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these.
JPSAnd Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse: ‘The LORD hath not chosen these.’
11
ThomsonThen Samuel said to Jessai, Are these all thy children? And he said, There is still one more, the youngest. Behold he is tending the flock. And Samuel said to Jessai, Send for him; for we cannot sit down till he come.
BrentonAnd Samuel said to Jessæ, Hast thou no more sons? And Jessæ said, There is yet a little one; behold, he tends the flock. And Samuel said to Jessæ, Send and fetch him, for we may not sit down till he comes.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Σαμουὴλ πρὸς Ἰεσσαὶ, ἐκλελοίπασι τὰ παιδάρια; καὶ εἶπεν, ἔτι ὁ μικρὸς ἰδοὺ ποιμαίνει ἐν τῷ ποιμνίῳ· καὶ εἶπε Σαμουὴλ πρὸς Ἰεσσαὶ, ἀπόστειλον καὶ λάβε αὐτὸν, ὅτι οὐ μὴ κατακλιθῶμεν ἕως τοῦ ἐλθεῖν αὐτόν.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd 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.’
12
ThomsonSo he sent for him. Now he was of a ruddy complexion, with beautiful eyes, and comely in appearance to the Lord, and the Lord said to Samuel, Arise and anoint David, for he is good.
BrentonAnd he sent and fetched him: and he was ruddy, with beauty of eyes, and very goodly to behold. And the Lord said to Samuel, Arise, and anoint David, for he is good.
GreekΚαὶ ἀπέστειλε καὶ εἰσήγαγεν αὐτόν· καὶ αὐτὸς πυῤῥάκης μετὰ κάλλους ὀφθαλμῶν, καὶ ἀγαθὸς ὁράσει Κυρίῳ· καὶ εἶπε Κύριος πρὸς Σαμουὴλ, ἀνάστα καὶ χρίσον τὸν Δαυείδ, ὅτι οὗτός ἐστιν ἀγαθός.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of beautiful eyes, and goodly to look upon. And the LORD said: ‘Arise, anoint him; for this is he.’
13
ThomsonSo Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brothers. And the Spirit of the Lord came upon David, from that day forward. Then Samuel arose and went to Armathaim.
BrentonAnd 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: and Samuel arose, and departed to Armathaim.
GreekΚαὶ ἔλαβε Σαμουὴλ τὸ κέρας τοῦ ἐλαίου, καὶ ἔχρισεν αὐτὸν ἐν μέσῳ τῶν ἀδελφῶν αὐτοῦ· καὶ ἐφήλατο πνεῦμα Κυρίου ἐπὶ Δαυὶδ ἀπὸ τῆς ἡμέρας ἐκείνης καὶ ἐπάνω· καὶ ἀνέστη Σαμουὴλ, καὶ ἀπῆλθεν εἰς ʼΑρμαθαίμ.
KJVThen 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.
JPSThen Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren; and the spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.
14
ThomsonAnd the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul; and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him.
BrentonAnd the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him.
GreekΚαὶ πνεῦμα Κυρίου ἀπέστη ἀπὸ Σαοὺλ, καὶ ἔπνιγεν αὐτὸν πνεῦμα πονηρὸν παρὰ Κυρίου.
KJVBut the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.
JPSNow the spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD terrified him.
15
ThomsonWhereupon the servants of Saul said to him, Behold now an evil spirit from the Lord tormenteth thee.
BrentonAnd Saul's servants said to him, Behold now, an evil spirit from the Lord torments thee.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπαν οἱ παῖδες Σαοὺλ πρὸς αὐτόν, ἰδοὺ δὴ, πνεῦμα Κυρίου πονηρὸν πνίγει σε·
KJVAnd Saul’s servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.
JPSAnd Saul’s servants said unto him: ‘Behold now, an evil spirit from God terrifieth thee.
16
ThomsonPray let thy servants before thee give orders, and seek for our lord a man who is skilled in playing on a harp. And when the evil spirit is upon thee, let him play on his harp, and it will be good for thee and give thee ease.
BrentonLet now thy servants speak before thee, and let them seek for our lord a man skilled to play on the harp; and it shall come to pass when an evil spirit comes upon thee and he shall play on his harp, that thou shalt be well, and he shall refresh thee.
GreekΕἰπάτωσαν δὴ οἱ δοῦλοί σου ἐνώπιόν σου, καὶ ζητησάτωσαν τῷ κυρίῳ ἡμῶν ἄνδρα εἰδότα ψάλλειν ἐν κινύρᾳ· καὶ ἔσται ἐν τῷ εἶναι πνεῦμα πονηρὸν ἐπὶ σοὶ, καὶ ψαλῇ ἐν τῇ κινύρᾳ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀγαθόν σοι ἔσται καὶ ἀναπαύσει σε.
KJVLet 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.
JPSLet our lord now command thy servants, that are before thee, to seek out a man who is a skilful player on the harp; and it shall be, when the evil spirit from God cometh upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well.’
17
ThomsonAnd Saul said to his servants, Look out, I pray you, for a man who playeth well, and bring him to me.
BrentonAnd Saul said to his servants, Look now out for me a skilful player, and bring him to me.
GreekΚαὶ εἶπε Σαοὺλ πρὸς τοὺς παῖδας αὐτοῦ, ἴδετε δή μοι ἄνδρα ὀρθῶς ψάλλοντα, καὶ εἰσαγάγετε αὐτὸν πρὸς μέ.
KJVAnd Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.
JPSAnd Saul said unto his servants: ‘Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.’
18
ThomsonAnd one of his servants answered and said, Behold I have seen a son of Jessai the Bethlehemite. He is skilled in music, and is a man of understanding and a warrior, graceful in speech, and of a comely appearance, and the Lord is with him.
BrentonAnd one of his servants answered and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jessæ the Bethleemite, and he understands playing on the harp, and the man is prudent, and a warrior, and wise in speech, and the man is handsome, and the Lord is with him.
GreekΚαὶ ἀπεκρίθη εἷς τῶν παιδαρίων αὐτοῦ, καὶ εἶπεν, ἰδοὺ ἑώρακα υἱὸν τῷ Ἰεσσαὶ Βηθλεεμίτην, καὶ αὐτὸν εἰδότα ψαλμὸν, καὶ ὁ ἀνὴρ συνετὸς, καὶ πολεμιστὴς, καὶ σοφὸς λόγῳ, καὶ ὁ ἀνὴρ ἀγαθὸς τῷ εἴδει, καὶ Κύριος μετʼ αὐτοῦ.
KJVThen 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.
JPSThen answered one of the young men, and said: ‘Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Beth-lehemite, that is skilful in playing, and a mighty man of valour, and a man of war, and prudent in affairs, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him.’
19
ThomsonThereupon Saul sent messengers to Jessai saying, Send to me thy son David who is with the flock.
BrentonAnd Saul sent messengers to Jessæ, saying, Send to me thy son David who is with thy flock.
GreekΚαὶ ἀπέστειλε Σαοὺλ ἀγγέλους πρὸς Ἰεσσαὶ, λέγων, ἀπόστειλον πρὸς μὲ τὸν υἱόν σου Δαυὶδ τὸν ἐν τῷ ποιμνίῳ σου.
KJVWherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep.
JPSWherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said: ‘Send me David thy son, who is with the sheep.’
20
ThomsonSo Jessai took a gomer of bread, and a skin of wine, and a kid of the goats, and sent them to Saul by the hand of his son David.
BrentonAnd Jessæ took a homer of bread, and a bottle of wine, and one kid of the goats, and sent them by the hand of his son David to Saul.
GreekΚαὶ ἔλαβεν Ἰεσσαὶ γόμορ ἄρτων, καὶ ἀσκὸν οἴνου, καὶ ἔριφον αἰγῶν ἕνα, καὶ ἐξαπέστειλεν ἐι· χειρὶ Δαυὶδ τοῦ υἱοῦ αὐτοῦ πρὸς Σαούλ.
KJVAnd Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul.
JPSAnd Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul.
21
ThomsonAnd when David came to Saul, and stood before him, he loved him greatly, and made him his armour-bearer.
BrentonAnd David went in to Saul, and stood before him; and he loved him greatly; and he became his armour-bearer.
GreekΚαὶ εἰσῆλθε Δαυὶδ πρὸς Σαοὺλ, καὶ παρειστήκει ἐνώπιον αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἠγάπησεν αὐτὸν σφόδρα· καὶ ἐγενήθη αὐτῷ αἴρων τὰ σκεύη αὐτοῦ.
KJVAnd David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer.
JPSAnd David came to Saul, and stood before him; and he loved him greatly; and he became his armour-bearer.
22
ThomsonAnd Saul sent to Jessai, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight.
BrentonAnd Saul sent to Jessæ, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me, for he has found grace in my eyes.
GreekΚαὶ ἀπέστειλε Σαοὺλ πρὸς Ἰεσσαὶ, λέγων, παριστάσθω δὴ Δαυὶδ ἐνώπιον ἐμοῦ, ὅτι εὗρε χάριν ἐν ὀφθαλμοῖς μου.
KJVAnd Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight.
JPSAnd Saul sent to Jesse, saying: ‘Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight.’
23
ThomsonAnd whenever the evil spirit came upon Saul, David took his harp, and played with his hand, and it composed Saul and gave him relief; and the evil spirit departed from him.
BrentonAnd it came to pass when the evil spirit was upon Saul, that David took his harp, and played with his hand: and Saul was refreshed, and it was well with him, and the evil spirit departed from him.
GreekΚαὶ ἐγενήθη ἐν τῷ εἶναι πνεῦμα πονηρὸν ἐπὶ Σαοὺλ, καὶ ἐλάμβανε Δαυὶδ τὴν κινύραν, καὶ ἔψαλλεν ἐν χειρὶ αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἀνέψυχε Σαοὺλ, καὶ ἀγαθὸν αὐτῷ, καὶ ἀφίστατο ἀπʼ αὐτοῦ τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ πονηρόν.
KJVAnd 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.
JPSAnd it came to pass, when the [evil] spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took the harp, and played with his hand; so Saul found relief, and it was well with him, and the evil spirit departed from him.