Friday in Epiphany

1Verse 1. Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected from his sons a king for Myself.” 2Verse 2. “How can I go?” Samuel asked. “Saul will hear of it and kill me!” The LORD answered, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ 3Verse 3. Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you are to do. You are to anoint for Me the one I indicate.” 4Verse 4. So Samuel did what the LORD had said and went to Bethlehem. When the elders of the town met him, they trembled and asked, “Do you come in peace?” 5Verse 5. “In peace,” he replied. “I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 6Verse 6. When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and said, “Surely here before the LORD is His anointed.” 7Verse 7. But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.” 8Verse 8. Then Jesse called Abinadab and presented him to Samuel, who said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” 9Verse 9. Next Jesse presented Shammah, but Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” 10Verse 10. Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel told him, “The LORD has not chosen any of these.” 11Verse 11. And Samuel asked him, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied, “but he is tending the sheep.” “Send for him,” Samuel replied. “For we will not sit down to eat until he arrives.” 12Verse 12. So Jesse sent for his youngest son and brought him in. He was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him, for he is the one.” 13Verse 13. So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.

11Verse 11. Command and teach these things. 12Verse 12. Let no one despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13Verse 13. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, and to teaching. 14Verse 14. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given you through the prophecy spoken over you at the laying on of the hands of the elders. 15Verse 15. Be diligent in these matters and absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. 16Verse 16. Pay close attention to your life and to your teaching. Persevere in these things, for by so doing you will save both yourself and those who hear you.