I Samuel 16: The Lord Chooses David
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 Beth–lehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.
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.
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.
And Samuel did that which the Lord spake, and came to Beth–lehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?
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.
And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the Lord’s anointed is before him.
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.
Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the Lord chosen this.
Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the Lord chosen this.
Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The Lord hath not chosen these.
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.
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.
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.
But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him.
And Saul’s servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.
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.
And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.
Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Beth–lehemite, 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.
Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep.
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.
And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer.
And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight.
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.
I Samuel 16 marks a pivotal point in the narrative of Israel's kings, transitioning from the failing reign of Saul to the divinely appointed kingship of David. This chapter reveals God's sovereign choice, contrasting outward appearances with inward character, and demonstrating His power to orchestrate events for His ultimate purpose. Understanding this chapter is crucial for grasping the unfolding story of Israel and appreciating the enduring qualities God seeks in His leaders.
Samuel's Anointing of David (I Samuel 16:1-13)
Following God's rejection of Saul due to disobedience (I Samuel 15:26), Samuel mourned. God gently rebukes Samuel’s prolonged grief (I Samuel 16:1), urging him to move forward and fulfill a new, vital mission. God directs him to Bethlehem, to the house of Jesse, for He has chosen a king from among his sons.
Samuel, understandably, fears Saul's reaction, given the king's volatile nature (I Samuel 16:2). God provides a strategic solution: Samuel is to take a heifer, announce a sacrificial offering to the Lord, and invite Jesse and his sons (I Samuel 16:2-3). This approach cleverly masks the true purpose of his visit. The elders of Bethlehem, perhaps anticipating a message of judgment, tremble at Samuel's arrival (I Samuel 16:4). Samuel reassures them, inviting them to consecrate themselves for the sacrifice (I Samuel 16:5).
When Samuel sees Eliab, Jesse's eldest son, he is immediately impressed. Perhaps Samuel remembered that Saul "stood a head taller than anyone else" (I Samuel 10:23) when he was chosen as king. Samuel assumes that Eliab, with his impressive stature, must be God's chosen one (I Samuel 16:6). However, God intervenes, correcting Samuel's perspective. The Lord emphasizes that He looks at the heart, not merely at outward appearances (I Samuel 16:7). This is a profound truth, highlighting the difference between human judgment and divine discernment. God's selection isn't based on physical appearance or stature. People tend to see what is visible, but the LORD sees the heart (I Samuel 16:7).
Jesse presents seven of his sons to Samuel, yet the Lord rejects each one (I Samuel 16:8-10). Samuel, perplexed, asks if Jesse has any other sons. Jesse replies that the youngest, David, is tending the sheep (I Samuel 16:11). Samuel insists they will not proceed until David arrives. When David appears, the Lord immediately tells Samuel, "Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!" (I Samuel 16:12).
The text doesn't explicitly state whether Samuel revealed to Jesse and his sons the full significance of David's anointing. They likely understood it was a ritual of importance, but may not have known the extent of its implications. Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward (I Samuel 16:13). This marks a crucial moment: David is not only chosen but also empowered by the Spirit of the Lord for his future role. He was now not just a man after God’s own heart (see I Samuel 13:14), but was filled with the Holy Spirit. Not only was that the right combination for the king of God’s people, it’s also the right combination for any kingdom citizen.
David, a descendant of both Jewish and Hamitic ancestry, through Rahab and Ruth, stands as a testament to God's inclusive grace and his choice of leaders from diverse backgrounds.
The Spirit Departs from Saul, David Enters Saul's Service (I Samuel 16:14-23)
The narrative shifts to Saul, contrasting David's anointing with Saul's decline. The Spirit of the Lord departs from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the Lord troubles him (I Samuel 16:14). This spirit was most likely a demon sovereignly appointed by God to trouble Saul mentally and emotionally, demonstrating God’s power over Satan and his kingdom. God used this both to highlight Saul’s utter rejection as king, and to bring David providentially into the royal court (I Samuel 16:15-19).
Saul's servants, aware of his affliction, suggest that music might soothe him. One of them recommends David, describing him not only as skilled in playing the lyre but also as a "mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome man; and the Lord is with him" (I Samuel 16:18). This description foreshadows David's future greatness and highlights the qualities that made him suitable for leadership.
Saul sends messengers to Jesse, requesting David's presence (I Samuel 16:19). David arrives at Saul's court with gifts from his father and enters into the king's service. Saul is said to love David greatly, even making him his armor-bearer (I Samuel 16:21). David's musical talent provides relief for Saul: whenever the distressing spirit afflicts Saul, David plays the lyre, and the spirit departs from him (I Samuel 16:23).
That this problem came from God lets the reader know again that God was in control of Saul’s demise and David’s eventual rise to the throne. In response to the way God used Satan’s kingdom to terrorize Saul, Saul should have responded with repentance for his rebellious acts against the gracious God who had made him king. He needed to turn back to the Lord, asking him to lift his hand of judgment. But sadly, the discipline of God never resulted in repentance from Saul.
Interestingly, these verses also illustrate the warning Samuel had given to the Israelites when they first demanded a king, telling them that the king would press their sons into his service (I Samuel 16:19, 22; see I Samuel 8:11-12), with the clear implication that there was nothing they could do about it. Saul loved David and said that David had found favor with him (I Samuel 16:21-22). Unfortunately, as David continued to obey God and began to receive honor in the eyes of the Israelites, he would quickly lose Saul’s good opinion.
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 Beth–lehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.
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.
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.
And Samuel did that which the Lord spake, and came to Beth–lehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?
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.
And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the Lord’s anointed is before him.
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.
Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the Lord chosen this.
Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the Lord chosen this.
Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The Lord hath not chosen these.
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.
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.
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.
But the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him.
And Saul’s servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.
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.
And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.
Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Beth–lehemite, 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.
Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep.
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.
And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer.
And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight.
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.
I Samuel 16 marks a pivotal point in the narrative of Israel's kings, transitioning from the failing reign of Saul to the divinely appointed kingship of David. This chapter reveals God's sovereign choice, contrasting outward appearances with inward character, and demonstrating His power to orchestrate events for His ultimate purpose. Understanding this chapter is crucial for grasping the unfolding story of Israel and appreciating the enduring qualities God seeks in His leaders.
Samuel's Anointing of David (I Samuel 16:1-13)
Following God's rejection of Saul due to disobedience (I Samuel 15:26), Samuel mourned. God gently rebukes Samuel’s prolonged grief (I Samuel 16:1), urging him to move forward and fulfill a new, vital mission. God directs him to Bethlehem, to the house of Jesse, for He has chosen a king from among his sons.
Samuel, understandably, fears Saul's reaction, given the king's volatile nature (I Samuel 16:2). God provides a strategic solution: Samuel is to take a heifer, announce a sacrificial offering to the Lord, and invite Jesse and his sons (I Samuel 16:2-3). This approach cleverly masks the true purpose of his visit. The elders of Bethlehem, perhaps anticipating a message of judgment, tremble at Samuel's arrival (I Samuel 16:4). Samuel reassures them, inviting them to consecrate themselves for the sacrifice (I Samuel 16:5).
When Samuel sees Eliab, Jesse's eldest son, he is immediately impressed. Perhaps Samuel remembered that Saul "stood a head taller than anyone else" (I Samuel 10:23) when he was chosen as king. Samuel assumes that Eliab, with his impressive stature, must be God's chosen one (I Samuel 16:6). However, God intervenes, correcting Samuel's perspective. The Lord emphasizes that He looks at the heart, not merely at outward appearances (I Samuel 16:7). This is a profound truth, highlighting the difference between human judgment and divine discernment. God's selection isn't based on physical appearance or stature. People tend to see what is visible, but the LORD sees the heart (I Samuel 16:7).
Jesse presents seven of his sons to Samuel, yet the Lord rejects each one (I Samuel 16:8-10). Samuel, perplexed, asks if Jesse has any other sons. Jesse replies that the youngest, David, is tending the sheep (I Samuel 16:11). Samuel insists they will not proceed until David arrives. When David appears, the Lord immediately tells Samuel, "Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!" (I Samuel 16:12).
The text doesn't explicitly state whether Samuel revealed to Jesse and his sons the full significance of David's anointing. They likely understood it was a ritual of importance, but may not have known the extent of its implications. Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers; and the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward (I Samuel 16:13). This marks a crucial moment: David is not only chosen but also empowered by the Spirit of the Lord for his future role. He was now not just a man after God’s own heart (see I Samuel 13:14), but was filled with the Holy Spirit. Not only was that the right combination for the king of God’s people, it’s also the right combination for any kingdom citizen.
David, a descendant of both Jewish and Hamitic ancestry, through Rahab and Ruth, stands as a testament to God's inclusive grace and his choice of leaders from diverse backgrounds.
The Spirit Departs from Saul, David Enters Saul's Service (I Samuel 16:14-23)
The narrative shifts to Saul, contrasting David's anointing with Saul's decline. The Spirit of the Lord departs from Saul, and a distressing spirit from the Lord troubles him (I Samuel 16:14). This spirit was most likely a demon sovereignly appointed by God to trouble Saul mentally and emotionally, demonstrating God’s power over Satan and his kingdom. God used this both to highlight Saul’s utter rejection as king, and to bring David providentially into the royal court (I Samuel 16:15-19).
Saul's servants, aware of his affliction, suggest that music might soothe him. One of them recommends David, describing him not only as skilled in playing the lyre but also as a "mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome man; and the Lord is with him" (I Samuel 16:18). This description foreshadows David's future greatness and highlights the qualities that made him suitable for leadership.
Saul sends messengers to Jesse, requesting David's presence (I Samuel 16:19). David arrives at Saul's court with gifts from his father and enters into the king's service. Saul is said to love David greatly, even making him his armor-bearer (I Samuel 16:21). David's musical talent provides relief for Saul: whenever the distressing spirit afflicts Saul, David plays the lyre, and the spirit departs from him (I Samuel 16:23).
That this problem came from God lets the reader know again that God was in control of Saul’s demise and David’s eventual rise to the throne. In response to the way God used Satan’s kingdom to terrorize Saul, Saul should have responded with repentance for his rebellious acts against the gracious God who had made him king. He needed to turn back to the Lord, asking him to lift his hand of judgment. But sadly, the discipline of God never resulted in repentance from Saul.
Interestingly, these verses also illustrate the warning Samuel had given to the Israelites when they first demanded a king, telling them that the king would press their sons into his service (I Samuel 16:19, 22; see I Samuel 8:11-12), with the clear implication that there was nothing they could do about it. Saul loved David and said that David had found favor with him (I Samuel 16:21-22). Unfortunately, as David continued to obey God and began to receive honor in the eyes of the Israelites, he would quickly lose Saul’s good opinion.