The LORD promised David that he would take the kingdom away from Saul and his descendants and would make David king of both Israel and Judah, from one end of the country to the other. Now may God strike me dead if I don't make this come true!"

But now your rule will not continue. Because you have disobeyed him, the LORD will find the kind of man he wants and make him ruler of his people."

Samuel said to him, "The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel away from you today and given it to someone who is a better man than you.

The LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you go on grieving over Saul? I have rejected him as king of Israel. But now get some olive oil and go to Bethlehem, to a man named Jesse, because I have chosen one of his sons to be king."

So Jesse sent for him. He was a handsome, healthy young man, and his eyes sparkled. The LORD said to Samuel, "This is the one---anoint him!"

Samuel took the olive oil and anointed David in front of his brothers. Immediately the spirit of the LORD took control of David and was with him from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah.

Even then, many Jewish authorities believed in Jesus; but because of the Pharisees they did not talk about it openly, so as not to be expelled from the synagogue.

They loved human approval rather than the approval of God.

You said, "I have made a covenant with the man I chose; I have promised my servant David,

'A descendant of yours will always be king; I will preserve your dynasty forever.' "

In a vision long ago you said to your faithful servants, "I have given help to a famous soldier; I have given the throne to one I chose from the people.

My strength will always be with him, my power will make him strong.

I will crush his foes and kill everyone who hates him.

Here I will make one of David's descendants a great king; here I will preserve the rule of my chosen king.

I will cover his enemies with shame, but his kingdom will prosper and flourish."