1 Samuel 16 Free Bible Version
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
1 The Lord asked Samuel, “How long are you going to continue to mourn over Saul because I have rejected him as king of Israel? Fill your flask with olive oil and go. I'm sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have chosen a king for myself from among his sons.”
1 Y DIJO Jehová á Samuel: ¿Hasta cuándo has tú de llorar á Saúl, habiéndolo yo desechado para que no reine sobre Israel? Hinche tu cuerno de aceite, y ven, te enviaré á Isaí de Beth-lehem: porque de sus hijos me he provisto de rey.
1 Yahweh said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided a king for myself among his sons.”
2 “How can I go and do that?” Samuel asked. “Saul will hear about it and kill me!” The Lord answered, “Take a young cow with you and say, ‘I've come to sacrifice to the Lord.’
2 Y dijo Samuel: ¿Cómo iré? Si Saúl lo entendiere, me matará. Jehová respondió: Toma contigo una becerra de la vacada, y di: A sacrificar á Jehová he venido.
2 Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.” Yahweh said, “Take a heifer with you, and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to Yahweh.’
3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you have to do. Anoint for me the one I tell you to.”
3 Y llama á Isaí al sacrificio, y yo te enseñaré lo que has de hacer; y ungirme has al que yo te dijere.
3 Call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do. You shall anoint to me him whom I name to you.”
4 Samuel did what the Lord had told him to and went to Bethlehem. When the town elders met him, they were afraid and asked him, “Do you come in peace?”
4 Hizo pues Samuel como le dijo Jehová: y luego que él llegó á Beth-lehem, los ancianos de la ciudad le salieron á recibir con miedo, y dijeron: ¿Es pacífica tu venida?
4 Samuel did that which Yahweh spoke, and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling, and said, “Do you come peaceably?”
5 “Yes, I come in peace,” he replied. “I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Purify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” He purified Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
5 Y él respondió: Sí, vengo á sacrificar á Jehová; santificaos, y venid conmigo al sacrificio. Y santificando él á Isaí y á sus hijos, llamólos al sacrificio.
5 He said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to Yahweh. Sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.” He sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.
6 When they arrived and Samuel saw Eliab, he said to himself, “This has got to be the Lord's anointed!”
6 Y aconteció que como ellos vinieron, él vió á Eliab, y dijo: De cierto delante de Jehová está su ungido.
6 When they had come, he looked at Eliab, and said, “Surely Yahweh’s anointed is before him.”
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don't look at his outward appearance or how tall he is, because I have rejected him, for the Lord does not look as human beings do. Human beings only see with their eyes what's on the outside, but the Lord looks at the way people think deep inside.”
7 Y Jehová respondió á Samuel: No mires á su parecer, ni á lo grande de su estatura, porque yo lo desecho; porque [Jehová mira] no lo que el hombre mira; pues que el hombre mira [lo que está] delante de sus ojos, mas Jehová mira el corazón.
7 But Yahweh said to Samuel, “Don’t look on his face, or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for I don’t see as man sees. For man looks at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks at the heart.”
8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him come before Samuel, who said, “The Lord hasn't chosen this one either.”
8 Entonces llamó Isaí á Abinadab, é hízole pasar delante de Samuel, el cual dijo: Ni á éste ha elegido Jehová.
8 Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. He said, “Yahweh has not chosen this one, either.”
9 Then Jesse had Shammah come forward. But Samuel said, “The Lord hasn't chosen this one either.”
9 Hizo luego pasar Isaí á Samma. Y él dijo: Tampoco á éste ha elegido Jehová.
9 Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. He said, “Yahweh has not chosen this one, either.”
10 Jesse had seven of his sons come before Samuel, but Samuel told him, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.”
10 E hizo pasar Isaí sus siete hijos delante de Samuel; mas Samuel dijo á Isaí: Jehová no ha elegido á éstos.
10 Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. Samuel said to Jesse, “Yahweh has not chosen these.”
11 So he asked Jesse, “Don't you have any more sons?” “Well, there's still the youngest,” Jesse replied, “but he is out looking after the sheep.” “Send for him and bring him here because we will not sit down and eat until he gets here,” Samuel told Jesse.
11 Entonces dijo Samuel á Isaí: ¿Hanse acabado los mozos? Y él respondió: Aun queda el menor, que apacienta las ovejas. Y dijo Samuel á Isaí: Envía por él, porque no nos asentaremos á la mesa hasta que él venga aquí.
11 Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your children here?” He said, “There remains yet the youngest. Behold, he is keeping the sheep.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we will not sit down until he comes here.”
12 So Jesse sent for him and brought him in. He had a red complexion with beautiful eyes, and looked handsome. The Lord said, “Go and anoint him, for he's the one.”
12 Envió pues [por él], é introdújolo; el cual era rubio, de hermoso parecer y de bello aspecto. Entonces Jehová dijo: Levántate y úngelo, que éste es.
12 He sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with a handsome face and good appearance. Yahweh said, “Arise! Anoint him, for this is he.”
13 Samuel took the flask of olive oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the Lord came on David in power from that day on. Then Samuel left and returned to Ramah.
13 Y Samuel tomó el cuerno del aceite, y ungiólo de entre sus hermanos: y desde aquel día en adelante el espíritu de Jehová tomó á David. Levantóse luego Samuel, y volvióse á Rama.
13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the middle of his brothers. Then Yahweh’s Spirit came mightily on David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.
14 The Spirit of the Lord had left Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him.
14 Y el espíritu de Jehová se apartó de Saúl, y atormentábale el espíritu malo de parte de Jehová.
14 Now Yahweh’s Spirit departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from Yahweh troubled him.
15 Saul's servants told him, “It's definitely an evil spirit from God that's tormenting you.
15 Y los criados de Saúl le dijeron: He aquí ahora, que el espíritu malo de parte de Dios te atormenta.
15 Saul’s servants said to him, “See now, an evil spirit from God troubles you.
16 Give us your servants here the order to find someone who is good at playing the harp so that when the evil spirit from God comes on you, he can play and you'll feel much better.”
16 Diga pues nuestro señor á tus siervos que están delante de ti, que busquen alguno que sepa tocar el arpa; para que cuando fuere sobre ti el espíritu malo de parte de Dios, él taña con su mano, y tengas alivio.
16 Let our lord now command your servants who are in front of you to seek out a man who is a skillful player on the harp. Then when the evil spirit from God is on you, he will play with his hand, and you will be well.”
17 Saul gave the order to his servants, “Find me someone who is good at playing the harp and bring him to me.”
17 Y Saúl respondió á sus criados: Buscadme pues ahora alguno que taña bien, y traédmelo.
17 Saul said to his servants, “Provide me now a man who can play well, and bring him to me.”
18 One of the servants replied, “I know a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who is good at playing the harp. He is a brave man, a good fighter, well-spoken and handsome, and the Lord is with him.”
18 Entonces uno de los criados respondió, diciendo: He aquí yo he visto á un hijo de Isaí de Beth-lehem, que sabe tocar, y es valiente y vigoroso, y hombre de guerra, prudente en sus palabras, y hermoso, y Jehová es con él.
18 Then one of the young men answered and said, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and Yahweh is with him.”
19 Saul sent messengers to Jesse, telling him, “Send me your son David who takes care of the sheep.”
19 Y Saúl envió mensajeros á Isaí, diciendo: Envíame á David tu hijo, el que está con las ovejas.
19 Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, “Send me David your son, who is with the sheep.”
20 So Jesse loaded a donkey with bread, a skin of wine, and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul.
20 Y tomó Isaí un asno [cargado] de pan, y una vasija de vino y un cabrito, y enviólo á Saúl por mano de David su hijo.
20 Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a container of wine, and a young goat, and sent them by David his son to Saul.
21 David came to Saul and began working for him. Saul thought a great deal of him, and David became his armor-bearer.
21 Y viniendo David á Saúl, estuvo delante de él: y amólo él mucho, y fué hecho su escudero.
21 David came to Saul and stood before him. He loved him greatly; and he became his armor bearer.
22 Saul sent a message to Jesse, saying, “Please allow David to continue working for me because I am pleased with him.”
22 Y Saúl envió á decir á Isaí: Yo te ruego que esté David conmigo; porque ha hallado gracia en mis ojos.
22 Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Please let David stand before me, for he has found favor in my sight.”
23 So whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take his harp and play, and Saul would gain relief and feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.
23 Y cuando el espíritu [malo] de parte de Dios era sobre Saúl, David tomaba el arpa, y tañía con su mano; y Saúl tenía refrigerio, y estaba mejor, y el espíritu malo se apartaba de él.
23 When the spirit from God was on Saul, David took the harp and played with his hand; so Saul was refreshed and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.
People & places in this chapter
From this site's family tree and Bible maps, only where those guides cite this chapter.
People
Abinadab
A brother of David who passed before Samuel and later served in Saul's army.
Cited in the guide: 1 Samuel 16:8; 1 Samuel 17:13
David
The shepherd who became Israel's greatest king and a man after God's own heart.
Cited in the guide: 1 Sam. 16 - 1 Kings 2; 2 Sam. 7; 1 Chron. 2:15; Matt. 1:6
Eliab
Jesse's tall firstborn, passed over when Samuel came to anoint a king from among his sons.
Cited in the guide: 1 Samuel 16:6; 1 Samuel 17:28
Jesse
The Bethlehemite whose youngest son David was anointed king of Israel.
Cited in the guide: 1 Sam. 16:1-13; Isa. 11:1; Ruth 4:22; Matt. 1:5-6
Cross references (20)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 1 2 Kings 9:1; 1 Samuel 15:23; 1 Samuel 15:35; Psalm 78:68–71; Romans 15:12
- 2 1 Samuel 9:12; 1 Samuel 20:29; Matthew 10:16; Luke 1:34; Jeremiah 38:26–27
- 3 1 Samuel 9:16; 2 Samuel 15:11; 1 Samuel 16:12–13; Acts 9:6; 1 Samuel 9:12–13
- 4 1 Kings 2:13; 1 Samuel 21:1; 1 Chronicles 12:17–18; 2 Kings 9:22; Luke 5:8
- 5 Exodus 19:10; Leviticus 20:7–8; Joshua 3:5; Joshua 7:13; Exodus 19:14–15
- 6 1 Samuel 17:13; 1 Chronicles 2:13
- 7 John 7:24; Jeremiah 17:10; Luke 16:15; Isaiah 55:8–9; 1 Peter 3:4
- 8 1 Samuel 17:13; 1 Chronicles 2:13
- 9 1 Samuel 17:13; 2 Samuel 13:3; 1 Chronicles 2:13
- 10 1 Chronicles 2:13–15
- 11 Psalm 78:70–71; 2 Samuel 7:8; 1 Samuel 17:28; 1 Chronicles 17:7; 2 Samuel 13:3
- 12 Song of Songs 5:10; Lamentations 4:7; 1 Samuel 17:42; Psalm 89:19–20; 1 Samuel 9:17
- 13 1 Samuel 10:6; Hebrews 1:9; John 3:34; 1 Samuel 10:1; 1 Samuel 10:9–10
- 14 Psalm 51:11; 1 Samuel 18:12; Judges 9:23; 1 Samuel 28:15; 1 Samuel 18:10
- 16 2 Kings 3:15; 1 Kings 10:8; 1 Samuel 18:10; 1 Samuel 19:9; 1 Samuel 16:21–23
- 18 1 Samuel 3:19; Genesis 39:23; Genesis 39:2; 1 Samuel 17:32–36; 1 Samuel 10:7
- 19 1 Samuel 17:15; 1 Samuel 16:11; Psalm 78:70–72; Matthew 4:18–22; 1 Kings 19:19
- 20 1 Samuel 10:27; Proverbs 18:16; 1 Samuel 17:18; 1 Samuel 25:18; Genesis 43:11
- 21 Genesis 41:46; Proverbs 22:29; Psalm 146:3; Psalm 118:9; Deuteronomy 10:8
- 23 1 Samuel 16:14–16; 1 Samuel 18:10–11
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations).
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
… him the person of mankind, and hath heeded the bonds of all men, hath considered the offspring of death, hath adverted to the origin of iniquity, and he saith, "For, behold, in iniquities I was conceived." Was David born of adultery; being born of Jesse, a righteous man, and his own wife?
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 8 (1888)
Though again it be Samuel who is doing this, He saith unto him, "Mourn not thou for Saul." Though for his own sister one entreat, when it is not fitting, he again shall have the same sort of answer as Moses, "If her father had but spit in her face." Let us not then be looking open-mouthed towards others.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 10 (1888)
… generally, their variable conditions, so, very frequently is the Spirit in the soul; since He does not abide with those who, on account of the instability of their will, easily reject the grace which they have received. An instance of this is seen in Saul, and the seventy elders of the children of Israel, except Eldad and Medad, with whom …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 8 (1895)
… Benjamin, or the tribe of Benjamin He chose not, out of which a king already had begun to be; for thence there had been chosen Saul; whence because of the very proximity of the time, when he had been rejected and refused, and David chosen, this might conveniently have been said; but yet was not said: but he hath named …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 8 (1888)