Keraia
1 Samuel 16

1 Samuel 16:1

Samuel Anoints David · 1 Samuel 16:1–13
Read 1 Samuel 16

Translations

Modern
Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected from his sons a king for Myself.”
Traditional
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 Beth–lehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.
Literal
And YHWH said to Samuel, “Until when will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse the Beth-lehemite, for I have provided among his sons for Myself a king.”
Latin
Dixitque Dominus ad Samuelem: Usquequo tu luges Saul, cum ego projecerim eum ne regnet super Israël? Imple cornu tuum oleo, et veni, ut mittam te ad Isai Bethlehemitem: providi enim in filiis ejus mihi regem.

Original

Hebrew
English
Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected from his sons a king for Myself.”

Notes

1 Samuel 16:1

  • How long are you going to mourn: See study note on 1 Samuel 15:35.

  • Bethlehem is about five miles south of Jerusalem. It later became known as the City of David (Luke 2:11) and is the birthplace of Jesus.

  • Jesse was the grandson of Boaz and Ruth (Ruth 4:22).

  • I have selected: This Hebrew verb means God saw one of Jesse's sons and chose him based on what he saw. God, the eternal king, knows better than the people of Israel how to choose a good king to serve the nation. He provided a replacement for Saul who would lead Israel well.

1 Samuel 16:1–23

David replaced Saul as king. David and Saul were alike in these ways:

  • Samuel anointed both.

  • Neither was pursuing the position of king.

  • Both were unlikely choices (Saul was from the smallest tribe, and David was the youngest son).

  • They were both good-looking (1 Samuel 9:2; 16:12).

  • The Spirit rushed upon each when anointed as king (1 Samuel 10:10; 11:6; 16:13).

The main difference was that David was "a man after [God's] own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14; compare 16:7), while Saul was not.

Events

People

Israel: Patriarch, son of Isaac, father of twelve tribes Jesse: Father of King David Samuel: Prophet and last judge of Israel before the kings Saul: First king of Israel, anointed by Samuel

Places

Bethlehem: City of David's birth and Jesus' birth

Glossary

Anoint Bethlehemite David Horn Psalm 151 Samuel (Person) Samuel, Books of First and Second Sheep

Topics

Christian Minister: Influential in Public Affairs: Designate Kings Church and State: Ecclesiastical Power Superior to Civil: Withdraws Support and Anoints a Successor David: King of Israel: Anointed King, While a Youth, by the Prophet Samuel, and Inspired Doubting: Exemplified Friendship: Samuel and Saul Government: God In in the Appointment of David Horn used to Containi the Anointing Oil Horns were Used for Holding Oil Jesse: Samuel Visits, Under Divine Command, to Select a Successor to Saul from his Sons King David King: How Chosen: David and the Davidic Dynasty Oil used for Anointing Kings Religious Zeal: Samuel Samuel: Anoints David to be King the King Christ: Typified: David the Tribe of Judah: Remarkable Persons of David the Tribe of Judah: Remarkable Persons of Jesse