1 Samuel 16
1 Samuel 16 centers on the scene in which David, Israel’s new king, is chosen by God and anointed by the prophet Samuel. After the previous chapter (Chapter 15) declared that King Saul would be removed from the throne because he did not obey God’s will, God, through Samuel, looks for a new king. Chapter 16 shows a major turning point in the monarchy of Israel, moving from Saul to David.
1verseThe LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided a king for myself among his sons.”
2verseSamuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.” The LORD said, “Take a heifer with you, and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’
3verseCall Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do. You shall anoint to me him whom I name to you.”
4verseSamuel did that which the LORD spoke, and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling, and said, “Do you come peaceably?”
5verseHe said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.” He sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.
6verseWhen they had come, he looked at Eliab, and said, “Surely the LORD’s anointed is before him.”
7verseBut the LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t look on his face, or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for I don’t see as man sees. For man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
8verseThen Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. He said, “The LORD has not chosen this one, either.”
9verseThen Jesse made Shammah to pass by. He said, “The LORD has not chosen this one, either.”
10verseJesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen these.”
11verseSamuel said to Jesse, “Are all your children here?” He said, “There remains yet the youngest. Behold, he is keeping the sheep.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we will not sit down until he comes here.”
12verseHe sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with a handsome face and good appearance. The LORD said, “Arise! Anoint him, for this is he.”
13verseThen Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the middle of his brothers. Then the LORD’s Spirit came mightily on David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.
14verseNow the LORD’s Spirit departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.
15verseSaul’s servants said to him, “See now, an evil spirit from God troubles you.
16verseLet our lord now command your servants who are in front of you to seek out a man who is a skillful player on the harp. Then when the evil spirit from God is on you, he will play with his hand, and you will be well.”
17verseSaul said to his servants, “Provide me now a man who can play well, and bring him to me.”
18verseThen one of the young men answered and said, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the LORD is with him.”
19verseTherefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, “Send me David your son, who is with the sheep.”
20verseJesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a container of wine, and a young goat, and sent them by David his son to Saul.
21verseDavid came to Saul and stood before him. He loved him greatly; and he became his armor bearer.
22verseSaul sent to Jesse, saying, “Please let David stand before me, for he has found favor in my sight.”
23verseWhen the spirit from God was on Saul, David took the harp and played with his hand; so Saul was refreshed and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.
The Flow and Structure of the Main Text
- God’s command (verses 1–3): God tells Samuel to go to the home of Jesse the Bethlehemite and to set up one of his sons as king. Samuel is afraid of Saul, but God gives him the grounds for a sacrifice, allowing him to carry out the task safely.
- The selection of David among Jesse’s sons (verses 4–13): Jesse presents all of his sons to Samuel, but instead of choosing based on appearance or physical conditions, he chooses the one who is in keeping with God’s heart. The youngest, David, who was tending sheep in the fields, is called by Samuel and is anointed right there. After that, the Spirit of the Lord comes powerfully upon David.
- An evil spirit sent upon Saul (verses 14–23): The Spirit of God departs from Saul, and an evil spirit comes upon him. When Saul becomes anxious and troubled, he brings in a young man who plays the harp well at the suggestion of his servants. David comes to Saul, plays the harp, and comforts him, and Saul begins to like David, making him his armor-bearer.
Key Message and Meaning
In this chapter, we see that God looks at the heart, not outward appearance, and that God’s choosing and guidance are different from human ways of thinking. It also suggests the importance of an attitude of humble obedience to God’s calling, demonstrated through David’s process of being called from shepherding sheep to becoming king. It also shows how much a person’s relationship with God can affect their life—seen in the change in Saul’s condition (the Spirit of God departing) and David’s condition (the Spirit coming upon him).
Points for Reflection
- What criteria do I use to look at people and make judgments? I can think about the value of the center/heart that God sees.
- I can reflect on whether, like David, I keep my place humbly before God and am ready to obey when an opportunity comes.
- I can recognize that God’s calling is sometimes different from what we expect, and that a posture of obedience is important.
Putting It into Practice for Me
- When I assess myself or other people, I need to make an effort to focus on the heart and inner attitude rather than outward conditions.
- Even in the small role I am responsible for right now and in everyday, ordinary life, I can steady my heart so that I can find God’s calling and carry it out faithfully.
- At each turning point in life or moment of choice, I can decide to pray for God’s will, ask, and maintain an attitude of humble obedience.
