1 Samuel 16:1-10

Samuel Anoints David

1 The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”
2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.” The LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’
3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.”
4 Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?”
5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.”
7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.”
9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.”
10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.”

1 Samuel 16:1-10 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 16

In this chapter Samuel is ordered to anoint a king among the sons of Jesse of Bethlehem, 1Sa 16:1-5 all whose sons were made to pass before him, excepting David, 1Sa 16:6-10 who being then with his father's sheep, was sent for and was anointed, 1Sa 16:11-13, after which the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and he became melancholy, and it was advised to seek out a musician for him, and David was mentioned to him as a proper person, 1Sa 16:14-18 upon which he was sent for, and acted as a musician to Saul, and also became his armourbearer, which was the first rise of him, 1Sa 16:19-23.

Cross References 16

  • 1. S 1 Samuel 8:6; S 1 Samuel 15:35
  • 2. S 1 Samuel 13:14; 1 Samuel 15:23
  • 3. S 1 Samuel 10:1; 2 Kings 9:1
  • 4. S Ruth 4:17; 1 Samuel 9:16
  • 5. 2 Samuel 5:2; 2 Samuel 7:8; 1 Kings 8:16; 1 Chronicles 12:23; Psalms 78:70; Acts 13:22
  • 6. Exodus 4:15
  • 7. S Deuteronomy 17:15; 1 Samuel 9:16
  • 8. S Genesis 48:7; Luke 2:4
  • 9. 1 Samuel 21:1
  • 10. 1 Kings 2:13; 2 Kings 9:17
  • 11. S Exodus 19:10,22
  • 12. 1 Samuel 17:13; 1 Chronicles 2:13
  • 13. Psalms 147:10
  • 14. S 1 Samuel 2:3; 2 Samuel 7:20; S Psalms 44:21; S Psalms 139:23; S Revelation 2:23; 1 Kings 8:39; 1 Chronicles 28:9; Isaiah 55:8
  • 15. 1 Samuel 17:13
  • 16. 1 Samuel 17:13; 2 Samuel 13:3; 2 Samuel 21:21
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