Samuel anoints the shepherd boy David

Samuel was mourning because Saul had been rejected as king. The LORD told Samuel to fill his horn with oil and go to Jesse of Bethlehem. God had chosen a king from among Jesse's sons.

Samuel was afraid that Saul might hear about the trip and kill him. The LORD told Samuel to take a young cow and say he had come to sacrifice. Samuel obeyed and went to Bethlehem. The elders of the town were nervous when they saw him, but Samuel told them he had come peacefully.

Samuel invited Jesse and his sons to the sacrifice. When Samuel saw Jesse's son Eliab, he thought the LORD's chosen king must be standing before him. But God told Samuel not to judge by Eliab's appearance or height. People look at outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.

Jesse then brought Abinadab and Shammah before Samuel, followed by the rest of his sons who were there. None of them was the one God had chosen. Samuel asked whether Jesse had any other children. Jesse said the youngest was out keeping the sheep.

They sent for him. His name was David. When David arrived, the LORD told Samuel that he was the one. Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed David in front of his brothers. From that day forward, the Spirit of the LORD came upon David. Samuel then returned to Ramah.

Samuel was still grieving over Saul when the LORD told him it was time to go to Bethlehem. Saul had been rejected from continuing as king, and God told Samuel that he had provided a king among the sons of Jesse. Samuel was to fill his horn with oil and go.

Samuel knew the mission could be dangerous. He said that if Saul heard about it, Saul might kill him. The LORD instructed Samuel to take a heifer and say that he had come to sacrifice to the LORD. He was also to invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and God would show him what to do.

Samuel obeyed and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the town trembled when they met him and asked whether he came peacefully. Samuel answered that he had come in peace to sacrifice to the LORD. He told them to prepare themselves, and he called Jesse and his sons to the sacrifice.

When Jesse's sons came before Samuel, Samuel saw Eliab and thought surely the LORD's anointed was before him. But the LORD corrected Samuel's first impression. Eliab's appearance and height were not the deciding things. God had not chosen him. The passage makes the contrast clear: people see what is outward, but the LORD looks at the heart.

Jesse next brought Abinadab before Samuel, but he was not chosen. Shammah came next, and he was not chosen either. In all, seven of Jesse's sons passed before Samuel. Samuel told Jesse that the LORD had not chosen any of them.

Samuel then asked whether these were all Jesse's children. Jesse explained that the youngest remained and was keeping the sheep. Samuel told him to send for the young shepherd before they sat down. Jesse sent for him. The passage describes David as ruddy, with a beautiful countenance and goodly to look to. Then the LORD told Samuel to arise and anoint him.

Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed David in the midst of his brothers. From that day forward, the Spirit of the LORD came upon David. Samuel then rose and went back to Ramah. The account does not show David taking the throne that day. It shows the beginning of the calling that would shape much of the history that follows.