# 1 Samuel 16 š: Samuel Anoints David
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> [!info] Table of Contents
> [[#š Scripture Text (NET)]]
> [[#š Verse-by-Verse Commentary]]
> [[#š¤ Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights]]
> [[#š§ Chapter Summary]]
> [[#āļø Christ in This Chapter]]
> [[#š Key Principles / š Life Application]]
> [[#š¬ Discussion Questions]]
> [[#āļø Key Verses to Remember]]
> [[#š Related Passages/Cross Reference]]
> [[#š Devotional Reflection]]
> [[#š Internal Notes]]
## š Scripture Text (NET)
(The NET Bible: New English Translation. Biblical Studies Press, 2005)
### Samuel Anoints David as King
[[#Verse 01.]]Ā TheĀ LordĀ said to Samuel, āHow long do you intend to mourn for Saul? I have rejected him as king over Israel.Ā Fill your horn with olive oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse in Bethlehem, for I have selected a king for myself from among his sons.ā
[[#Verse 02.]]Ā Samuel replied, āHow can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me!ā But theĀ LordĀ said, āTake a heifer with youĀ and say, āI have come to sacrifice to theĀ Lord.āĀ
[[#Verse 03.]]Ā Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you should do. You will anoint for me the one I point outĀ to you.ā
[[#Verse 04.]]Ā Samuel did what theĀ LordĀ told him.Ā When he arrived in Bethlehem, the elders of the city were afraid to meet him. TheyĀ said, āDo you come in peace?āĀ
[[#Verse 05.]]Ā He replied, āYes, in peace. I have come to sacrifice to theĀ Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.ā So he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
[[#Verse 06.]]Ā When they arrived, SamuelĀ noticedĀ Eliab and said to himself,Ā āSurely, here before theĀ LordĀ stands his chosen king.āĀ
[[#Verse 07.]]Ā But theĀ LordĀ said to Samuel, āDonāt be impressed byĀ his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. God does not view things the way people do.Ā People look on the outward appearance,Ā but theĀ LordĀ looks at the heart.ā
[[#Verse 08.]]Ā Then Jesse called Abinadab and presented him to Samuel.Ā But SamuelĀ said, āTheĀ LordĀ has not chosen this one either.āĀ
[[#Verse 09.]]Ā Then Jesse presentedĀ Shammah. But Samuel said, āTheĀ LordĀ has not chosen this one either.āĀ
[[#Verse 10.]]Ā Jesse presented seven of his sons to Samuel.Ā But Samuel said to Jesse, āTheĀ Lord has not chosen any of these.āĀ
[[#Verse 11.]]Ā Then Samuel asked Jesse, āIs that all the young men?ā JesseĀ replied, āThere is still the youngest one, but heās taking care of the flock.ā Samuel said to Jesse, āSend and get him, for we cannot turn our attention to other things until he comes here.ā
[[#Verse 12.]]Ā So Jesse had him brought in.Ā Now he was ruddy, with attractive eyes and a handsome appearance. TheĀ LordĀ said, āGo and anoint him. This is the one.ā
[[#Verse 13.]]Ā So Samuel took the horn full of olive oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers. The Spirit of theĀ LordĀ rushed upon David from that day onward. Then Samuel got up and went to Ramah.
[[M0012- King David]]
### David Appears before Saul
[[#Verse 14.]]Ā Now the Spirit of theĀ LordĀ had turned away from Saul, and an evil spiritĀ from theĀ LordĀ tormented him.Ā
[[#Verse 15.]]Ā Then Saulās servants said to him, āLook, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you.Ā
[[#Verse 16.]]Ā Let our lord instruct his servants who are here before you to look for a man who knows how to play the lyre. Then whenever the evil spirit from God comes upon you, he can play the lyreĀ and you will feel better.āĀ
[[#Verse 17.]]Ā So Saul said to his servants, āFindĀ me a man who plays well and bring him to me.āĀ
[[#Verse 18.]]Ā One of his attendants replied,Ā āI have seen a son of Jesse in Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave warriorand is articulateĀ and handsome,Ā for theĀ LordĀ is with him.ā
[[#Verse 19.]]Ā So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, āSend me your son David, who is out with the sheep.āĀ
[[#Verse 20.]]Ā So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a container of wine, and a young goatĀ and sent them to Saul withĀ his son David.Ā
[[#Verse 21.]]Ā David came to Saul and stood before him. Saul liked him a great deal,Ā and he became his armor-bearer.Ā
[[#Verse 22.]]Ā Then Saul sent word to Jesse saying, āLet David be my servant, for I am very pleased with him.ā
[[#Verse 23.]]Ā So whenever the spirit from God would come upon Saul, David would take his lyre and play it. This would bring relief to Saul and make him feel better. Then the evil spirit would leave him alone.
## š Verse-by-Verse Commentary
###### Overall.
###### Verse 01.
###### Verse 02.
###### Verse 03.
###### Verse 04.
###### Verse 05.
###### Verse 06.
###### Verse 07.
###### Verse 08.
###### Verse 09.
###### Verse 10.
###### Verse 11.
###### Verse 12.
###### Verse 13.
###### Verse 14.
###### Verse 15.
###### Verse 16.
###### Verse 17.
###### Verse 18.
###### Verse 19.
###### Verse 20.
###### Verse 21.
###### Verse 22.
###### Verse 23.
## š¤ Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights
1. Samuel feared Saul would kill him if he went to anoint a new king (16:2).
2. The elders of Bethlehem trembled when Samuel arrived (16:4), perhaps afraid he had come to bring judgment.
3. Bethlehem means "house of bread." Ruth and Boaz, David's great-grandparents, lived there (Ruth 4:17).
4. Seven of Jesse's sons passed before Samuel, and David was the youngest (16:10-11). The list in 1 Chronicles 2:13-15 names David as the seventh son, so one brother may have died young.
5. David is described as ruddy, with beautiful eyes, and good-looking (16:12).
6. The anointing was likely private, among David's family (16:13), not a public coronation.
7. The Spirit came on David as the Spirit departed from Saul (16:13-14).
8. The instrument David played (16:16, 23) was the *kinnor*, a small stringed lyre.
9. David's name is often understood to mean "beloved."
10. David became Saul's armor-bearer (16:21), serving in the court of the king he would one day replace.
## š§ Chapter Summary
> [!note] š± Still growing. This section is on its way.
## āļø Christ in This Chapter
Christ is the Son of David, born in Bethlehem and anointed by the Spirit. David was anointed in Bethlehem and the Spirit rushed on him (16:13), and Jesus was born in the city of David as Savior, Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11).
## š Key Principles / š Life Application
> [!note] š± Still growing. This section is on its way.
## š¬ Discussion Questions
1. The Lord told Samuel that He looks on the heart, not outward appearance (16:7). How do we tend to judge people by appearance?
2. David was anointed but went back to the sheep (16:11, 19). What does it look like to be faithful in a season of waiting?
3. David's music brought relief to Saul (16:23). How has God used your gifts to serve others?
## āļø Key Verses to Remember
- š verse 7: People look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.
- š verse 13: Samuel anoints David, and the Spirit of the Lord rushes on him from that day forward.
- š verse 18: David is described as a skilled musician, a warrior, wise in speech, and the Lord is with him.
## š Related Passages/Cross Reference
- š [[Micah 05#Verse 02.|Micah 5:2]] - A ruler will come from Bethlehem.
- š [[Psalm 78#Verse 70.|Psalm 78:70-72]] - God took David from the sheep pens.
- š [[Psalm 89#Verse 20.|Psalm 89:20]] - I have anointed David with holy oil.
- š [[Luke 02#Verse 04.|Luke 2:4-11]] - Jesus is born in the city of David.
- š [[Matthew 01#Verse 01.|Matthew 1:1]] - Jesus Christ, the Son of David.
## š Devotional Reflection
š SOAP: [[1 Samuel 16 - SOAP|The Lord Sees The Heart]]
## š Internal Notes