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1 Shamu'al 16

1 Shamu'al chapter 16 in the Qadmoni reader. Read the full chapter text with direct verse references and continue into the interactive reader.

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16:1

The Anointing of Dawid and the Transfer of the Ruach

And 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 said unto Shamuel, "How long wilt thou mourn for Shaul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Yashar'al? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Yishai the Beth-lehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons."
16:2
And Shamuel said, "How can I go? if Shaul hear it, he will kill me." And 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 said, "Take a heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄."
16:3
"And call Yishai to the sacrifice, and I will show thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee."
16:4

The Trembling at Beth-lehem

And Shamuel did that which 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 spake, and came to Beth-lehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, "Comest thou peaceably?"
16:5
And he said, "Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice." And he sanctified Yishai and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.
16:6

The Rejection of the Carnal Stature

And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, "Surely 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄's anointed is before him."
16:7
But 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 said unto Shamuel, "Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 looketh on the heart."
16:8
Then Yishai called Abinadab, and made him pass before Shamuel. And he said, "Neither hath 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 chosen this."
16:9
Then Yishai made Shammah to pass by. And he said, "Neither hath 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 chosen this."
16:10
Again, Yishai made seven of his sons to pass before Shamuel. And Shamuel said unto Yishai, "𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 hath not chosen these."
16:11

The Call of the Shepherd

And Shamuel said unto Yishai, "Are here all thy children?" And he said, "There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep." And Shamuel said unto Yishai, "Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither."
16:12
And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 said, "Arise, anoint him: for this is he."
16:13
Then Shamuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit (Ruach) of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 came upon Dawid from that day forward. So Shamuel rose up, and went to Ramah.
16:14

The Departure of the Ruach and the Evil Spirit

But the Spirit (Ruach) of 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 departed from Shaul, and an evil spirit (ruach ra'ah) from 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 troubled him.
16:15
And Shaul's servants said unto him, "Behold now, an evil spirit from Alahiym troubleth thee."
16:16
"Let our adun now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on a harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from Alahiym is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well."
16:17
And Shaul said unto his servants, "Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me."
16:18

The Introduction of Dawid to the Court

Then answered one of the servants, and said, "Behold, I have seen a son of Yishai the Beth-lehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and 𐤉𐤄𐤅𐤄 is with him."
16:19
Wherefore Shaul sent messengers unto Yishai, and said, "Send me Dawid thy son, which is with the sheep."
16:20
And Yishai took a donkey laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by Dawid his son unto Shaul.
16:21

The Armor-bearer and the Musician

And Dawid came to Shaul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armor-bearer.
16:22
And Shaul sent to Yishai, saying, "Let Dawid, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favor in my sight."
16:23

The Acoustic Warfare

And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from Alahiym was upon Shaul, that Dawid took a harp, and played with his hand: so Shaul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.