JESSE: My sons, pass ye in order of your years, Before this man of God. (ELIAB _advances and kneels._ SAMUEL _rises and regards him uncertainly._) SAMUEL: Surely the Lord's anointed is before me. ELIAB (_triumphantly_): Ah, father, art so ready now to chide me? SAMUEL: Nay, pause, my son, for the Lord hath said unto me: Look not on a man's countenance, Nor the height of his stature; For the Lord seeth not as man seeth. For man looketh on the outward appearance, But the Lord looketh on the heart. Thy heart is proud, and thou shalt not be king. (ELIAB _passes with hanging head to the right._ ABINADAB _advances._) ABINADAB: And I, sir, look on me. SAMUEL: The Lord rejects thee, For thou art a wine-bibber and a glutton. (ABINADAB _swaggers defiantly over to_ ELIAB, _who grins at him._ SHAMMAH _bows low and speaks slyly._) SHAMMAH: Sir, if thou crown _me_ king, I'll make thee rich in the spoils of the Philistines. SAMUEL (_briefly_): The Lord rejects thee for a thief and robber. (SHAMMAH _shrugs and joins others._ NATHANEEL _advances._) NATHANEEL: Make me king, sir, And I will drive out the Philistines, And all men shall bow down to the God of Israel. SAMUEL: The Lord rejects thee, for thou boasteth thyself, And sayest thou canst do much, When thou canst do little. (NATHANEEL _passes angrily to right._ RADDAI _advances._) RADDAI (_cunningly_): Thou wilt anoint me, Samuel; For lo, the Lord came unto me in the night watches, Saying, Awake, awake, thou shalt be king of Israel. (_The brothers stare angrily at him._) SAMUEL: The Lord rejects thee, for thou art a liar. (_The brothers double up with mirth._ RADDAI _joins them, shaking his fist at_ SAMUEL. OZEM _advances and bows meekly._) OZEM: For me, I would not be the king in Israel, Except the Lord command. SAMUEL (_praying_): Lord, give me light! (_Then he motions_ OZEM _away._) Thou art not the chosen one. (OZEM _joins others._ ELIHU _advances triumphantly._) ELIHU: O mouthpiece of the most high God, behold _me_! I am the last. Anoint me, and let the oil run down to the hem of my garment! Anoint me, for I shall be a mighty king over Israel. DAUGHTER OF JESSE (_starting forward_): O brother, thou hast forgotten little David. (_Turns to_ SAMUEL.) O sir, if thou despiseth these, my brothers, O let me show thee David. 'Tis the youngest, And the best loved by me. (_The brothers surge forward angrily._) ELIAB AND OTHERS: No, no! He is a babe--a child--a-- SAMUEL (_waves them back and turns to_ JESSE): Are all thy children here? Or hast thou another son? JESSE: There remaineth yet the youngest; And behold, he keepeth the sheep. He is my dear-beloved. His years are yet too tender to rule Israel. DAUGHTER OF JESSE: O let me go and bring him! SAMUEL: Send and fetch him; For we will not sit down till he come hither.