Skip to content
Journey Through the Bible

1 Samuel 16:1-13

1 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”

2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me.”
The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’
3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.”

4 Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?”

5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.”

7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”
“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered, “but he is tending the sheep.”
Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”

12 So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features.
Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; he is the one.”

13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah.

Cross References for 1 Samuel 16:1-13

1 John 5:16 - If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray and God wil... Click to read the verse 1 John 5:16 Click to read the verse 1 John 5:16

1 Samuel 15:11 - “I am grieved that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carrie... Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 15:11 Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 15:11

1 Samuel 15:35 - Until the day Samuel died, he did not go to see Saul again, though Samuel mourned for him. And ... Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 15:35 Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 15:35

Acts 7:46 - who enjoyed God’s favor and asked that he might provide a dwelling place for the God of Jacob. Click to read the verse Acts 7:46 Click to read the verse Acts 7:46

Isaiah 11:10 - In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to... Click to read the verse Isaiah 11:10 Click to read the verse Isaiah 11:10

Romans 15:12 - And again, Isaiah says, “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the ... Click to read the verse Romans 15:12 Click to read the verse Romans 15:12

1 Samuel 27:1 - David Among the Philistines But David thought to himself, “One of these days I will be destroye... Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 27:1 Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 27:1

Jeremiah 15:1 - Then the Lord said to me: “Even if Moses and Samuel were to stand before me, my heart would not... Click to read the verse Jeremiah 15:1 Click to read the verse Jeremiah 15:1

Psalms 89:19-20 - Once you spoke in a vision, to your faithful people you said: “I have bestowed strength on a wa... Click to read the verse Psalms 89:19-20 Click to read the verse Psalms 89:19-20

Genesis 49:8-10 - “Judah, your brothers will praise you; your hand will be on the neck of your enemies; your fath... Click to read the verse Genesis 49:8-10 Click to read the verse Genesis 49:8-10

1 Chronicles 5:2 - and though Judah was the strongest of his brothers and a ruler came from him, the rights of the... Click to read the verse 1 Chronicles 5:2 Click to read the verse 1 Chronicles 5:2

1 Samuel 10:1 - Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on Saul’s head and kissed him, saying, “Has not t... Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 10:1 Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 10:1

Joshua 7:10 - The Lord said to Joshua, “Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? Click to read the verse Joshua 7:10 Click to read the verse Joshua 7:10

Psalms 18:50 - He gives his king great victories; he shows unfailing kindness to his anointed, to David and hi... Click to read the verse Psalms 18:50 Click to read the verse Psalms 18:50

Psalms 78:68 - but he chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion, which he loved. Click to read the verse Psalms 78:68 Click to read the verse Psalms 78:68

1 Samuel 17:12 - Now David was the son of an Ephrathite named Jesse, who was from Bethlehem in Judah. Jesse had ... Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 17:12 Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 17:12

Psalms 78:68-71 - but he chose the tribe of Judah, Mount Zion, which he loved. Click to read the verse Psalms 78:68-71 Click to read the verse Psalms 78:68-71

1 Samuel 9:16 - “About this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin. Anoint him leader ov... Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 9:16 Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 9:16

2 Chronicles 6:6 - But now I have chosen Jerusalem for my Name to be there, and I have chosen David to rule my peo... Click to read the verse 2 Chronicles 6:6 Click to read the verse 2 Chronicles 6:6

Psalms 89:19 - Once you spoke in a vision, to your faithful people you said: “I have bestowed strength on a wa... Click to read the verse Psalms 89:19 Click to read the verse Psalms 89:19

Psalms 89:20 - I have found David my servant; with my sacred oil I have anointed him. Click to read the verse Psalms 89:20 Click to read the verse Psalms 89:20

Proverbs 8:15 - By me kings reign and rulers make laws that are just; Click to read the verse Proverbs 8:15 Click to read the verse Proverbs 8:15

2 Chronicles 13:5 - Don’t you know that the Lord, the God of Israel, has given the kingship of Israel to David and ... Click to read the verse 2 Chronicles 13:5 Click to read the verse 2 Chronicles 13:5

1 Samuel 15:23 - For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because y... Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 15:23 Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 15:23

Isaiah 11:1 - The Branch From Jesse A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch wil... Click to read the verse Isaiah 11:1 Click to read the verse Isaiah 11:1

Hosea 13:11 - So in my anger I gave you a king, and in my wrath I took him away. Click to read the verse Hosea 13:11 Click to read the verse Hosea 13:11

2 Samuel 5:2 - In the past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel on their military cam... Click to read the verse 2 Samuel 5:2 Click to read the verse 2 Samuel 5:2

1 Kings 8:16 - ‘Since the day I brought my people Israel out of Egypt, I have not chosen a city in any tribe o... Click to read the verse 1 Kings 8:16 Click to read the verse 1 Kings 8:16

1 Chronicles 12:23 - Others Join David at Hebron These are the numbers of the men armed for battle who came to David... Click to read the verse 1 Chronicles 12:23 Click to read the verse 1 Chronicles 12:23

1 Samuel 13:13-14 - “You acted foolishly,” Samuel said. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; ... Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 13:13-14 Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 13:13-14

1 Chronicles 11:2 - In the past, even while Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel on their military campai... Click to read the verse 1 Chronicles 11:2 Click to read the verse 1 Chronicles 11:2

2 Kings 17:20 - Therefore the Lord rejected all the people of Israel; he afflicted them and gave them into the ... Click to read the verse 2 Kings 17:20 Click to read the verse 2 Kings 17:20

Zechariah 4:14 - So he said, “These are the two who are anointed to serve the Lord of all the earth.” Click to read the verse Zechariah 4:14 Click to read the verse Zechariah 4:14

Isaiah 55:4 - See, I have made him a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander of the peoples. Click to read the verse Isaiah 55:4 Click to read the verse Isaiah 55:4

Hebrews 11:32 - And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, Da... Click to read the verse Hebrews 11:32 Click to read the verse Hebrews 11:32

Psalms 75:7 - But it is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another. Click to read the verse Psalms 75:7 Click to read the verse Psalms 75:7

1 Samuel 2:10 - those who oppose the Lord will be shattered. He will thunder against them from heaven; the Lord... Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 2:10 Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 2:10

Judges 12:8 - Ibzan, Elon and Abdon After him, Ibzan of Bethlehem led Israel. Click to read the verse Judges 12:8 Click to read the verse Judges 12:8

2 Samuel 6:21 - David said to Michal, “It was before the Lord, who chose me rather than your father or anyone f... Click to read the verse 2 Samuel 6:21 Click to read the verse 2 Samuel 6:21

Ruth 4:22 - Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David. Click to read the verse Ruth 4:22 Click to read the verse Ruth 4:22

Matthew 1:6 - and Jesse the father of King David. David was the father of Solomon, whose mother had been Uria... Click to read the verse Matthew 1:6 Click to read the verse Matthew 1:6

Jeremiah 7:16 - “So do not pray for this people nor offer any plea or petition for them; do not plead with me, ... Click to read the verse Jeremiah 7:16 Click to read the verse Jeremiah 7:16

2 Kings 9:1 - Jehu Anointed King of Israel The prophet Elisha summoned a man from the company of the prophets... Click to read the verse 2 Kings 9:1 Click to read the verse 2 Kings 9:1

1 Samuel 13:14 - But now your kingdom will not endure; the Lord has sought out a man after his own heart and app... Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 13:14 Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 13:14

Acts 13:22 - After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: ‘I have found David... Click to read the verse Acts 13:22 Click to read the verse Acts 13:22

1 Samuel 15:26 - But Samuel said to him, “I will not go back with you. You have rejected the word of the Lord, a... Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 15:26 Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 15:26

Jeremiah 6:30 - They are called rejected silver, because the Lord has rejected them.” Click to read the verse Jeremiah 6:30 Click to read the verse Jeremiah 6:30

1 Samuel 16:15 - Saul’s attendants said to him, “See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 16:15 Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 16:15

2 Kings 9:3 - Then take the flask and pour the oil on his head and declare, ‘This is what the Lord says: I an... Click to read the verse 2 Kings 9:3 Click to read the verse 2 Kings 9:3

Jeremiah 11:14 - “Do not pray for this people nor offer any plea or petition for them, because I will not listen... Click to read the verse Jeremiah 11:14 Click to read the verse Jeremiah 11:14

1 Samuel 16:23 - Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play. Then relief wo... Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 16:23 Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 16:23

Ruth 4:17-22 - The women living there said, “Naomi has a son.” And they named him Obed. He was the father of J... Click to read the verse Ruth 4:17-22 Click to read the verse Ruth 4:17-22

2 Kings 9:6 - Jehu got up and went into the house. Then the prophet poured the oil on Jehu’s head and declare... Click to read the verse 2 Kings 9:6 Click to read the verse 2 Kings 9:6

1 Chronicles 2:10-15 - From Ram Son of Hezron Ram was the father of Amminadab, and Amminadab the father of Nahshon, th... Click to read the verse 1 Chronicles 2:10-15 Click to read the verse 1 Chronicles 2:10-15

Acts 13:21-22 - Then the people asked for a king, and he gave them Saul son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin, ... Click to read the verse Acts 13:21-22 Click to read the verse Acts 13:21-22

Jeremiah 14:11-12 - Then the Lord said to me, “Do not pray for the well-being of this people. Click to read the verse Jeremiah 14:11-12 Click to read the verse Jeremiah 14:11-12

Luke 2:4 - So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of ... Click to read the verse Luke 2:4 Click to read the verse Luke 2:4

1 Samuel 21:11 - But the servants of Achish said to him, “Isn’t this David, the king of the land? Isn’t he the o... Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 21:11 Click to read the verse 1 Samuel 21:11

John 7:42 - Does not the Scripture say that the Christ will come from David’s family and from Bethlehem, th... Click to read the verse John 7:42 Click to read the verse John 7:42

1 Chronicles 11:3 - When all the elders of Israel had come to King David at Hebron, he made a compact with them at ... Click to read the verse 1 Chronicles 11:3 Click to read the verse 1 Chronicles 11:3

2 Samuel 3:18 - Now do it! For the Lord promised David, ‘By my servant David I will rescue my people Israel fro... Click to read the verse 2 Samuel 3:18 Click to read the verse 2 Samuel 3:18

1 Chronicles 28:4 - “Yet the Lord, the God of Israel, chose me from my whole family to be king over Israel forever.... Click to read the verse 1 Chronicles 28:4 Click to read the verse 1 Chronicles 28:4

1 Chronicles 2:12 - Boaz the father of Obed and Obed the father of Jesse. Click to read the verse 1 Chronicles 2:12 Click to read the verse 1 Chronicles 2:12

1 Chronicles 10:14 - and did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to Da... Click to read the verse 1 Chronicles 10:14 Click to read the verse 1 Chronicles 10:14

1 Chronicles 11:10 - David’s Mighty Men These were the chiefs of David’s mighty men—they, together with all Israel, ... Click to read the verse 1 Chronicles 11:10 Click to read the verse 1 Chronicles 11:10

Matthew 2:5 - “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: Click to read the verse Matthew 2:5 Click to read the verse Matthew 2:5