1 Samuel 16:4-13

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.”
11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.” Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”
12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”
13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.

1 Samuel 16:4-13 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 Genesis 48:7; Luke 2:4
  • 2. 1 Samuel 21:1
  • 3. 1 Kings 2:13; 2 Kings 9:17
  • 4. S Exodus 19:10,22
  • 5. 1 Samuel 17:13; 1 Chronicles 2:13
  • 6. Psalms 147:10
  • 7. 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
  • 8. 1 Samuel 17:13
  • 9. 1 Samuel 17:13; 2 Samuel 13:3; 2 Samuel 21:21
  • 10. 1 Samuel 17:12
  • 11. S Genesis 37:2; 2 Samuel 7:8
  • 12. 1 Samuel 9:17
  • 13. S Genesis 39:6; 1 Samuel 17:42
  • 14. S 1 Samuel 2:35; S 2 Samuel 22:51
  • 15. 1 Samuel 18:12; Numbers 27:18; Judges 11:29
  • 16. S 1 Samuel 11:6">1Sa 1 Samuel 11:6; 1Sa 10:1,6,9-10; 1 Samuel 11:6
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