1 Samuel - Chapter 16

1 Samuel 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. 1 Samuel 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. 1 Samuel 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. 1 Samuel 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? 1 Samuel 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. 1 Samuel 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. 1 Samuel 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. 1 Samuel 16.8 Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this. 1 Samuel 16.9 Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this. 1 Samuel 16.10 Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these. 1 Samuel 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. 1 Samuel 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. 1 Samuel 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. 1 Samuel 16.14 But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him. 1 Samuel 16.15 And Saul’s servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee. 1 Samuel 16.16 Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well. 1 Samuel 16.17 And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me. 1 Samuel 16.18 Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, 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. 1 Samuel 16.19 Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep. 1 Samuel 16.20 And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul. 1 Samuel 16.21 And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer. 1 Samuel 16.22 And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight. 1 Samuel 16.23 And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.

1 Samuel : Chapter 16

Reflections on 1 Samuel Chapter 16 Chapter 16 of the book of 1 Samuel introduces us to David, the future king of Israel, and invites us to meditate on how God chooses his leaders. This captivating text describes David's secret anointing by the prophet Samuel and his entry into the service of King Saul as a musician. Several key themes emerge throughout this narrative, such as divine selection criteria, leadership preparation, and the contrast between the old and the new. This chapter marks the beginning of a new era in the history of Israel.

Five Enlightening Bible Passages

Let's reflect together on five Bible passages that shed light on the eternal truths taught by 1 Samuel 16.

Acts 13:22

"After he had rejected Saul, he made David their king. He testified, "I have found David, the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want." This verse beautifully illustrates David's anointing and underscores the divine choice that made him king of Israel.

1 Corinthians 1:27

"But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and the weak things of the world to shame the strong." This passage echoes the surprising choice of David, the youngest son, in 1 Samuel 16, reminding us that God sees beyond appearances.

Psalms 78:70-72

"He chose David, his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds; he brought him out from the flock to be the shepherd of Jacob, his people, and Israel, his inheritance. And he fed them with an upright heart; he led them with skillful hands." This psalm invites us to reflect on David's humble origins and his role as a shepherd, a central theme of 1 Samuel 16.

John 7:24

"Do not judge by appearances alone, but judge righteously." This teaching of Jesus echoes the lesson in 1 Samuel 16:7, where God instructs Samuel not to rely on outward appearances, but to seek the heart.

Ephesians 5:19

"Speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and praising the Lord from the heart." This passage reminds us of David's musical ability, mentioned in 1 Samuel 16:23, and underscores the importance of worship in our spiritual lives.

As we meditate on these verses, we are invited to recognize the depth of divine wisdom and understand that God's choice can often defy our human expectations. May these reflections inspire us to see beyond appearances and embrace God's will in our lives.