1 Samuel 16:4

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

Translations

Modern
So Samuel did what the LORD had said and went to Bethlehem. When the elders of the town met him, they trembled and asked, “Do you come in peace?”
Traditional
And Samuel did that which the Lord spake, and came to Beth–lehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?
Literal
And Samuel did what YHWH had spoken, and he came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, “Do you come in peace?”
Latin
Fecit ergo Samuel sicut locutus est ei Dominus. Venitque in Bethlehem, et admirati sunt seniores civitatis occurrentes ei: dixeruntque: Pacificusne est ingressus tuus?

Original

Hebrew
English
So Samuel did what the LORD had said and went to Bethlehem. When the elders of the town met him, they trembled and asked, “Do you come in peace?”

Notes

The elders … trembled: The elders were afraid because news had likely reached Bethlehem that Samuel had rebuked Saul and put Agag to death.

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

Samuel: Prophet and last judge of Israel before the kings

Places

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

Glossary

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

Topics

Christian Minister: Fear of Christian Minister: Influential in Public Affairs: Designate Kings Church and State: Ecclesiastical Power Superior to Civil: Withdraws Support and Anoints a Successor Courts of Justice: Judges of Called Elders Government: Municipal: Devolving Upon a Local Senate and Executive officers Jesse: Samuel Visits, Under Divine Command, to Select a Successor to Saul from his Sons King: How Chosen: David and the Davidic Dynasty Reverence for Servants of God