1 Samuel 16
Samuel Anoints David as Future King of Israel
In this section, the author described how a young David was anointed as the future king of Israel and promoted from the pasture to the palace. While David was empowered by the Spirit of God, Saul was tormented by an evil spirit. While David’s ascent to power was divinely orchestrated, the reign of Saul began a gradual descent into chaos.
You Are To Anoint The One
A Rejected King
Vs. 1 - How long are you going to mourn for Saul?
God will never allow His work to die with the death or failure of a man. If it is God’s work, it goes beyond any man. Perhaps Samuel was paralyzed with mourning because of Saul’s tragic rebellion, but God was not paralyzed. - David Guzik
Vs. 2 - Samuel asked, “How can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me!”
Samuel had told Saul that God had rejected his kingship and had chosen another to lead Israel. Consequently, Samuel's travels would be of great interest to Saul. Samuel feared Saul would consider it treason if he anointed another man as king. - Bryan E. Beyer
Bethlehem
Vs. 1 - I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem
Messianic picture: God will provide his own King, and His King will come from Bethlehem. - Brent Kercheville
The Elder’s Fear
Vs. 4 - When the elders of the town met him, they trembled and asked, “Do you come in peace?”
The elder’s interrogative was interesting. Perhaps they also feared a reaction from Saul if they provided support for Samuel.
A Forgotten Son
Vs. 7 - But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or his stature because I have rejected him. Humans do not see what the Lord sees, for humans see what is visible, but the Lord sees the heart.”
Vs. 11 - “There is still the youngest,” he answered, “but right now he’s tending the sheep.”
Did Jesse simply forget about David? Was he just too young to seriously consider? Did his culture of preferring eldest children influence his decision to leave one of his sons in the field even though Samuel had requested to meet all of them?
Perhaps Jesse, like Samuel, assumed that a man who looked the part would be the natural choice for leadership. Surely God’s choice would be the obvious one. Even though the author described David as handsome and healthy, as well as talented and brave, his family continued to doubt his motives and capabilities.
God often chooses unlikely people to do His work, so that everyone knows the work is God’s work, not man’s work. - David Guzik
In a similar way, another young future King from Bethlehem, a Son of David, would be forgotten and underestimated in this way. But He would rise from obscurity to lead His people to salvation.
Messianic picture: God is not going to select someone as His Anointed who looks the part. Be mindful that this is exactly what Isaiah prophesied about the coming Messiah. - Brent Kercheville
He Is The One
Vs. 12 - Then the Lord said, “Anoint him, for he is the one.”
Anointing was a way of marking out people for other important positions besides kingship, and Samuel gave no indication to the onlookers why he had anointed David. For David’s sake, as well as for Samuel’s, Saul was not to know that Samuel had already anointed David as Saul’s successor. Many years would pass before David actually became king. - Don Fleming
Samuel’s Departure
Vs. 13 - Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.
At this point in the book he (Samuel) becomes a minor figure who no longer plays an active role in the progress of events. His anointing of David, therefore, was the climax and capstone of his career. - Thomas Constable
David Became Saul’s Armor-Bearer
An Evil Spirit from God
Vs. 14 - Now the Spirit of the Lord had left Saul, and an evil spirit sent from the Lord began to torment him
God may have intended the evil spirit as redemptive, designed to turn Saul to repentance. Or God may have intended the evil spirit as His instrument of judgment against the rebellious king. - Bryan E. Beyer
The Power of Music
Vs. 16 - Whenever the evil spirit from God comes on you, that person can play the lyre, and you will feel better.
The author does not offer commentary on how the lyre could combat an evil spirit, but this phenomenon was a great example of the power of music to influence human emotion.
The Lord Is with Him
Vs. 18 - One of the young men answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is also a valiant man, a warrior, eloquent, handsome, and the Lord is with him.”
Vs. 22 - Then Saul sent word to Jesse: “Let David remain in my service, for he has found favor with me.”
God was elevating David from the ranks of a shepherd of sheep to become the shepherd of His people, and David’s musical ability (1 Samuel 16:18) enabled him to lead the Israelites in the worship of Yahweh later. - Thomas Constable
Wonder not that David was so suddenly advanced, from a poor contemptible shepherd, to so great a reputation; for these were the effects of that Spirit of the Lord, which he received when he was anointed. - Poole
All through this account, the author gives us glimpses of divine providence in the life of David. From the pastures to the palace, we can see that no component of David’s life was accidental, even his musical talent. Every environment and event, every ability and affinity was orchestrated by God to bring a king to His people Who would lead them back to Him.
