1 And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.
2 And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear [it], he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD.
3 And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me [him] whom I name unto thee.
4 And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?
5 And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.
6 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD’S anointed [is] before him.
7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for [the LORD seeth] not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
8 Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.
9 Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.
10 Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these.
11 And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all [thy] children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.
12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he [was] ruddy, [and] withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this [is] he.
13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.
14 But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.
15 And Saul’s servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.
16 Let our lord now command thy servants, [which are] before thee, to seek out a man, [who is] a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well.
17 And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring [him] to me.
18 Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, [that is] cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD [is] with him.
19 Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which [is] with the sheep.
20 And Jesse took an ass [laden] with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent [them] by David his son unto Saul.
21 And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer.
22 And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight.
23 And it came to pass, when the [evil] spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.
Summary of 1 Samuel 16
1 Samuel 16 narrates the anointing of David as the future king of Israel, following God’s rejection of Saul. This chapter highlights themes of divine selection, the importance of inner qualities over outward appearances, and the beginning of David’s rise to prominence.
Key Events
- God’s Command to Samuel
- Samuel’s Journey to Bethlehem
- The Anointing of David
- David’s Service to Saul
God’s Command to Samuel
In the opening verses, God instructs Samuel to stop mourning for Saul, as He has rejected him as king. Instead, God commands Samuel to anoint a new king from the sons of Jesse in Bethlehem.
Samuel’s Journey to Bethlehem
Samuel expresses concern about Saul’s reaction to his mission, fearing that Saul might kill him. God provides a solution by instructing Samuel to offer a sacrifice in Bethlehem, which serves as a cover for his true purpose.
The Anointing of David
Upon arriving in Bethlehem, Samuel invites Jesse and his sons to the sacrifice. As he observes each of Jesse’s sons, he initially assumes that Eliab, the eldest, is the chosen one due to his stature. However, God tells Samuel not to judge by appearances, emphasizing that God looks at the heart.
- Jesse presents seven of his sons to Samuel.
- God rejects each one, leading Samuel to inquire if there are any more sons.
- Jesse mentions David, the youngest, who is tending sheep.
- David is brought before Samuel, and God confirms that he is the chosen one.
- Samuel anoints David in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the Lord comes powerfully upon David from that day forward.
David’s Service to Saul
After David’s anointing, the narrative shifts to Saul, who is tormented by an evil spirit. His servants suggest finding someone who can play the harp to soothe him. They recommend David, who is described as a skilled musician, a brave warrior, and handsome. Saul agrees to have David come to his court.
Thematic Analysis
- Divine Sovereignty: The chapter illustrates God’s control over the monarchy of Israel, demonstrating that His choices are not based on human standards.
- Inner Qualities vs. Outward Appearances: The contrast between David and his brothers emphasizes that God values character and heart over physical attributes.
- Preparation for Leadership: David’s anointing marks the beginning of his journey toward kingship, highlighting the process of preparation and the challenges he will face.
Conclusion
1 Samuel 16 serves as a pivotal chapter in the biblical narrative, marking a significant transition in Israel’s leadership. It underscores the importance of divine selection and the qualities that God values in a leader. The anointing of David sets the stage for future events in the life of both David and Saul, ultimately shaping the history of Israel.
