1 Samuel Chapter 16 — The Anointing of David
God instructs Samuel to anoint David, the youngest son of Jesse, as the next king of Israel, and David later enters King Saul's service as a harpist.
1The 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.”
2Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.”
3Call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do. You shall anoint to me him whom I name to you.”
4Samuel 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?”
5He 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.
6When they had come, he looked at Eliab, and said, “Surely the LORD’s anointed is before him.”
7But 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.”
8Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. He said, “The LORD has not chosen this one, either.”
9Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. He said, “The LORD has not chosen this one, either.”
10Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen these.”
11Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your children here?”
12He 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.”
13Then 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.
14Now the LORD’s Spirit departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.
15Saul’s servants said to him, “See now, an evil spirit from God troubles you.
16Let 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.”
17Saul said to his servants, “Provide me now a man who can play well, and bring him to me.”
18Then 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.”
19Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, “Send me David your son, who is with the sheep.”
20Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a container of wine, and a young goat, and sent them by David his son to Saul.
21David came to Saul and stood before him. He loved him greatly; and he became his armor bearer.
22Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Please let David stand before me, for he has found favor in my sight.”
23When 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.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
1 Samuel 16:7
“But 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.””
This verse establishes a central biblical principle regarding God's preference for internal character over external status.
1 Samuel 16:13
“Then 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.”
This marks the official transfer of God's favor and empowerment to David as the future king of Israel.
Chapter Summary
In 1 Samuel 16, God commands Samuel to stop mourning Saul’s failed kingship and travel to Bethlehem to find a new king among the sons of Jesse. To avoid Saul's suspicion, Samuel goes under the guise of offering a sacrifice. When Jesse presents his sons, Samuel is impressed by the stature of the eldest, Eliab, but God corrects him, stating that He looks at the heart rather than outward appearance. After seven sons pass by and are rejected, the youngest, David, is brought from the fields. God identifies him as the chosen one, and Samuel anoints him, inviting the Spirit of the Lord to rest upon him. Meanwhile, the Spirit of the Lord departs from Saul, replaced by a distressing spirit. Saul's servants suggest music for relief, leading them to David, who is known for his skill on the harp and his valor. David enters Saul’s service, becoming his armor-bearer and providing peace to the king through his music.
Frequently Asked Questions
Samuel went to Bethlehem under God's direction to perform a sacrifice and anoint one of Jesse's sons as the new king of Israel, following God's rejection of Saul.
It means that while humans judge others based on physical height, beauty, or outward strength, God evaluates a person's inner character, motives, and spiritual readiness.
Saul was troubled by a distressing spirit, and his servants recommended a skilled musician to soothe him. David was selected for his musical talent, his reputation as a man of valor, and because the Lord was with him.
Study Note
The town of Bethlehem, where David is anointed, is highlighted as the ancestral home of the Davidic line, which later becomes central to Messianic prophecy.
Related Chapters
1 Samuel 15
This previous chapter explains why Saul was rejected by God, necessitating the search for a new king.
1 Samuel 17
This next chapter features David's victory over Goliath, demonstrating the valor mentioned in chapter 16.
Psalm 23
This famous psalm reflects David's background as a shepherd, which is introduced in this chapter.
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