*1 Samuel 16:1-13
Following God’s instructions, Samuel secretly anoints the young shepherd David as the future king of Israel.
- God’s Rejection of Saul:
- The Lord instructs Samuel to stop mourning over Saul’s failed kingship and to go to Bethlehem, for He has chosen one of Jesse’s sons to be the next king.
- Samuel is concerned about Saul’s reaction, fearing that he will kill him if he finds out about his mission, but the Lord assures him that He will provide a cover story.
- Jesse’s Sons Presented before Samuel:
- Samuel arrives at Bethlehem and invites Jesse and his sons to a sacrifice.
- When Jesse’s eldest son, Eliab, comes before Samuel, he assumes that Eliab is the one chosen by the Lord due to his impressive appearance, but the Lord corrects him, saying that He does not look at outward appearances but at the heart.
- David Anointed as King:
- Samuel asks Jesse if he has any more sons, and Jesse reveals that his youngest son, David, is tending the sheep.
- Samuel sends for David, and when he arrives, the Lord tells Samuel to anoint him as the future king of Israel.
- Samuel anoints David with oil in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the Lord comes upon David from that day forward.
16:1 And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.
16:2 And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD.
16:3 And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee.
16:4 And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably? 16:5 And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.
16:6 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD’s anointed is before him.
16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
16:8 Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.
16:9 Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.
16:10 Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these.
16:11 And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.
16:12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.
16:13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.