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1 Samuel 16:19
ESV Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, "Send me David your son, who is with the sheep."
NIV Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, "Send me your son David, who is with the sheep."
NASB So Saul sent messengers to Jesse to say, 'Send me your son David, who is with the flock.'
CSB Then Saul dispatched messengers to Jesse and said, "Send me your son David, who is with the sheep."
NLT So Saul sent messengers to Jesse to say, 'Send me your son David, the shepherd.'
KJV Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep.
NKJV Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.”

What does 1 Samuel 16:19 mean?

Though Saul retains the earthly position of king, God has rejected his claim to the throne (1 Samuel 13:11–14; 15:17–29). Samuel has anointed David to be the next king (1 Samuel 16:1–13). God has also removed His Spirit from Saul, and an evil spirit torments him (1 Samuel 16:14). Aware of the affliction, if not God's rejection of Saul, the sitting king's servants suggest a solution: hire a man to play the lyre. The music will soothe the king when the evil spirit is on him (1 Samuel 16:15–16). Saul agrees and asks his servants to find a skilled musician (1 Samuel 16:17).

One of the servants is ready with a suggestion. David, son of Jesse of Bethlehem, is an outstanding young man in every way (1 Samuel 16:17). Saul now sends a message to Jesse to send David, identifying the young man as the one who is with the sheep. Apparently, Saul's servant knew enough about David to know that he was responsible for shepherding his father's flock (1 Samuel 16:11).

Samuel had warned the people that a king would have the right to simply take the best and brightest of Israel's young people as his own servants (1 Samuel 8:11–13). Saul took advantage of this right regularly (1 Samuel 14:52).
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