A reading from the book of Ruth.

Naomi said to Ruth, “Look, your sister-in-law has returned to her people and to the
god of her ancestors. You too must go. Follow your sister-in-law.”

But Ruth said to her, “Please don’t ask me to leave you and turn away from your
company. I swear to you:

Where you go, I will go;
where you lodge, I will lodge.
Your people will be my people,
and your God, my God.
Where you die, I’ll die too
and I will be buried there beside you.
I swear—may Yahweh be my witness and judge—
that not even death will keep us apart.”

And that is how Naomi left the land of Moab with Ruth the Moabite and returned to Bethlehem arriving just as the barley harvest was beginning.

(Pause)

A reading from the first book of Samuel.

God said to Samuel, “How long will you grieve for Saul, whom I have rejected as ruler of Israel?  Fill your horn with oil, and be on your way.  I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have chosen my ruler from among his children.”

As they came, Samuel looked at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is God’s anointed.”  But God said to Samuel, “Do not judge from Eliab’s height and appearance; this is not the one.  God does not see as people see: people look at appearances, but I look at the heart.”

Jesse then presented seven children to Samuel, but Samuel said to Jesse, “God has not chosen these.”  He then asked Jesse, “Are these all you have?”  He answered, “There is still one left, the youngest, who is out looking after the sheep.”  Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Send for him.  We will not sit down to eat until he comes.”  Jesse had the youngster brought to them.  He was ruddy, a youth with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance.  God said, “Come, anoint him, for this is the one.”

At this, Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed David where he stood with his siblings.  And the Spirit of Our God came mightily upon David from that day on.  Samuel took his leave and went to Ramah.

The Word of God recorded in the book of Ruth and in the first book of Samuel.