The lonely shepherd was startled by the unexpected call of the messenger, who announced that the prophet had come to Bethlehem and had sent for him. With surprise he questioned why the prophet and judge of Israel should desire to see him; but without delay he obeyed the call. "Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to." As Samuel beheld with pleasure the handsome, manly, modest shepherd boy, the voice of the Lord spoke to the prophet, saying, "Arise, anoint him: for this is he." David had proved himself brave and faithful in the humble office of a shepherd, and now God had chosen him to be captain of His people. "Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of [from among] his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward." The prophet had accomplished his appointed work, and with a relieved heart he returned to Ramah.

Den ensomme hyrde blev højlig overrasket, da der ganske uventet kom et sendebud ud til ham og sagde, at profeten var kommet til Betlehem og havde sendt bud efter ham. Han spurgte overrasket, hvorfor Israels profet og dommer ville tale med ham, men uden at spilde et øjeblik skyndte han sig hjem. "Han var rødmosset, en yngling med smukke øjne og skøn at se til." Mens Samuel med tilfredshed betragtede den kønne, mandige, beskedne hyrdedreng, sagde Herren til profeten: "Stå op, salv ham, thi ham er det!" David havde røgtet sin beskedne vogtergerning tappert og trofast, og nu udvalgte Gud ham til sit folks leder. "Samuel tog da oliehornet og salvede ham, mens hans, brødre stod rundt om." (Kan også oversættes: "Salvede ham ud fra hans brødre") Og Herrens ånd kom over David fra den dag af. Profeten havde udført sit hverv og gik hjem til Rama med lettet hjerte.