1st Shamu'AL (1 Samuel) — 16

Shamu'AL Anoints Daud as King

1 Now 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH Dabar to Shamu'AL, “You have mourned long enough for Shaul. I have rejected him as king of Yashar'AL, so fill your flask with olive oil and go to Bathlaham. Find a man named Yassa who lives there, for I have selected one of his sons to be my king.”

2 But Shamu'AL asked, “How can I do that? If Shaul hears about it, he will kill me.” Take a heifer with you,” 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH replied, “and say that you have come to make a sacrifice to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH. 

3 Invite Yassa to the sacrifice, and I will show you which of his sons to anoint for me.

4 So Shamu'AL did as 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH  instructed. When he arrived at Bathlaham, the elders of the town came trembling to meet him. “What’s wrong?” they asked. “Do you come in Shalum?”

5 “Shamu'AL replied. Yes “I have come to sacrifice to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH. Purify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” Then Shamu'AL performed the purification rite for Yassa and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice, too.

6 When they arrived, Shamu'AL took one look at Aliab and thought, “Surely this is the anointed of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH!”

7 But 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH Dabar to Shamu'AL, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. For I 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH  do not see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but I looks at the heart.”

8 Then Yassa told his son Abinadab to step forward and walk in front of Shamu'AL. But Shamu'AL said, “This is not the one  𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH has chosen.” 

9 Next Yassa summoned Shimaa, but Shamu'AL said, 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH has not chosen this one also.” 

10 In the same way all seven of Yassa’s sons were presented to Shamu'AL. But Shamu'AL said to Yassa, “𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH has not chosen any of these.” 

11 Then Shamu'AL asked, “Are these all the sons you have? “There is still the youngest,” Yassa replied. “But he is out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.” Send for him at once,” Shamu'AL said. “We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.”

12 So Yassa sent for his son Daud, he was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes. And  𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH Dabar, “This is the one; anoint him.”

13 So as Daud stood there among his brothers, Shamu'AL took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed Daud with the oil. And the Ruach of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH came powerfully upon Daud from that day on. Then Shamu'AL returned to Ramah.

Daud Serves in Shaul’s Court

14 Now the Ruach of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH had left Shaul, and 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH sent a tormenting spirit that filled him with depression and fear.

15 Some of Shaul’s servants said to him, “A tormenting spirit from 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH is troubling you. 

16 Let us find a good musician to play the harp whenever the tormenting spirit troubles you. He will play soothing music, and you will soon be well again.”

17 “All right,” Shaul said. “Find me someone who plays well, and bring him here.”

18 One of the servants said to Shaul, “One of Yassa’s sons from Bathlaham is a talented harp player. Not only that, he is a brave warrior, a man of war, and has good judgment. He is also a fine-looking young man, and  𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH is with him.”

19 So Shaul sent messengers to Yassa to say, “Send me your son Daud, the shepherd.” 

20 Yassa responded by sending Daud to Shaul, along with a young goat, a donkey loaded with bread, and a wineskin full of wine.

21 So Daud went to Shaul and began serving him. Shaul loved Daud very much, and Daud became his armor bearer.

22 Then Shaul sent word to Yassa asking, “Please let Daud remain in my service, for I am very pleased with him.”

23 And whenever the tormenting spirit from 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄_YAHUAH troubled Shaul, Daud would play the harp, then Shaul would feel better, and the tormenting spirit would go away.