David Anointed by Samuel

God ends Samuel’s mourning over Saul: “Fill thine horn with oil, and go” to Jesse in Bethlehem. Afraid of Saul, Samuel goes there to offer a sacrifice. When he sees Eliab, the oldest, he thinks he has found the LORD’s anointed. But God corrects him: “man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” Jesse has seven of his sons pass before Samuel: none is chosen. There remains the youngest, who is tending the sheep. David is sent for, ruddy, with beautiful eyes. “Arise, anoint him: for this is he!” Samuel anoints him in the midst of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD comes upon David from that day forward. The Spirit departs from Saul, who is tormented by an evil spirit. His servants look for a harp player: it is David who enters the king’s service, and his music brings Saul relief.