Keraia
1 Samuel 16

1 Samuel 16:18

David Serves Saul · 1 Samuel 16:14–23
Read 1 Samuel 16

Translations

Modern
One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a mighty man of valor, a warrior, eloquent and handsome, and the LORD is with him.”
Traditional
Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Beth–lehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the Lord is with him.
Literal
And one of the servants answered and said, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, being skilled in playing and mighty of valor, and a man of war, and prudent in speech, and a man of good appearance, and YHWH is with him.”
Latin
Et respondens unus de pueris, ait: Ecce vidi filium Isai Bethlehemitem scientem psallere, et fortissimum robore, et virum bellicosum, et prudentem in verbis, et virum pulchrum: et Dominus est cum eo.

Original

Hebrew
English
One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a mighty man of valor, a warrior, eloquent and handsome, and the LORD is with him.”

Notes

1 Samuel 16:18

  • harp: The instrument was likely a lyre, a small stringed instrument used for music (as in 1 Samuel 10:5).

  • the LORD is with him: People saw that God's Spirit was with David (1 Samuel 16:13).

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

Jesse: Father of King David

Places

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

Glossary

Bethlehem Bethlehemite City of David David David, City of Demon Exorcism, Exorcist Psalms, Book of Samuel, Books of First and Second

Topics

Beauty: David David: King of Israel: Described to Saul Demons: Possession by Saul Prudence: David Saul: Sends Messengers to Jesse, Asking That David be Sent to Him As a Musician and an Armor-Bearer