Skip to content
Scripture Mapping

1 Samuel 16

World English Bible

WEB

1Yahweh said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided a king for myself among his sons.” 2Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.” Yahweh said, “Take a heifer with you, and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to Yahweh.’ 3Call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do. You shall anoint to me him whom I name to you.” 4Samuel did that which Yahweh spoke, and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling, and said, “Do you come peaceably?” 5He said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to Yahweh. Sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.” He sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice. 6When they had come, he looked at Eliab, and said, “Surely Yahweh’s anointed is before him.” 7But Yahweh said to Samuel, “Don’t look on his face, or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for I don’t see as man sees. For man looks at the outward appearance, but Yahweh looks at the heart.” 8Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. He said, “Yahweh has not chosen this one, either.” 9Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. He said, “Yahweh has not chosen this one, either.” 10Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. Samuel said to Jesse, “Yahweh has not chosen these.” 11Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your children here?” He said, “There remains yet the youngest. Behold, he is keeping the sheep.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we will not sit down until he comes here.” 12He sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with a handsome face and good appearance. Yahweh said, “Arise! Anoint him, for this is he.” 13Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the middle of his brothers. Then Yahweh’s Spirit came mightily on David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up and went to Ramah. 14Now Yahweh’s Spirit departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from Yahweh troubled him. 15Saul’s servants said to him, “See now, an evil spirit from God troubles you. 16Let our lord now command your servants who are in front of you to seek out a man who is a skillful player on the harp. Then when the evil spirit from God is on you, he will play with his hand, and you will be well.” 17Saul said to his servants, “Provide me now a man who can play well, and bring him to me.” 18Then one of the young men answered and said, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and Yahweh is with him.” 19Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, “Send me David your son, who is with the sheep.” 20Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a container of wine, and a young goat, and sent them by David his son to Saul. 21David came to Saul and stood before him. He loved him greatly; and he became his armor bearer. 22Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Please let David stand before me, for he has found favor in my sight.” 23When the spirit from God was on Saul, David took the harp and played with his hand; so Saul was refreshed and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

1 Samuel 16 marks a pivotal moment in the history of Israel as God directs the prophet #Samuel to anoint a new king to replace #Saul, who has fallen out of favor due to his disobedience. The chapter begins with God instructing Samuel to go to Bethlehem, where he will find the chosen one among the sons of #Jesse. This highlights God's sovereignty in selecting leaders based on the heart rather than outward appearances, as seen in 1 Samuel 16:7, where God tells Samuel, "For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." This principle is crucial for understanding God's criteria for leadership and His focus on inner character over external qualifications.

As Samuel arrives in Bethlehem, he is initially uncertain and fearful of Saul's reaction, but he follows God's command. Jesse presents his sons, and one by one, they are rejected until David, the youngest, is brought before Samuel. Upon seeing David, the Lord confirms that he is the chosen one, and Samuel anoints him with oil, signifying God's selection and empowerment for future leadership. This anointing of #David foreshadows his significant role in Israel's history and the establishment of a dynasty that will ultimately lead to the coming of the Messiah.

The chapter concludes with the Spirit of the Lord departing from Saul and an evil spirit troubling him, which sets the stage for David's future service in Saul's court. David is brought in to play the harp, providing relief to Saul, illustrating how God’s plan unfolds through David’s music and character. This chapter emphasizes themes of divine selection, the importance of the heart in leadership, and the unfolding of God's redemptive plan through David, who is a type of Christ.

Study

14 dimensions

Referenced by

  1. Judges 3:10v13Judges 3:10 describes the Spirit of the Lord coming upon Othniel, enabling him to judge Israel. Similarly, in 1 Samuel 16:13, the Spirit of the Lord comes upon David from that day forward, empowering him for leadership.
  2. Judges 9:23v14Judges 9:23 speaks of God sending an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem, similar to how an evil spirit tormented Saul in 1 Samuel 16:14, illustrating divine judgment and discord.
  3. Judges 16:20v14Judges 16:20 describes the Spirit of the Lord departing from Samson, similar to how the Spirit departed from Saul in 1 Samuel 16:14, indicating a loss of divine empowerment due to disobedience.
  4. 1 Samuel 10:1v13In 1 Samuel 10:1, Samuel anoints Saul as king over Israel, signifying God's choice and empowerment. Similarly, in 1 Samuel 16:13, Samuel anoints David, marking him as God's chosen king, highlighting the divine authority and purpose in leadership.
  5. 1 Samuel 15:35v11 Samuel 15:35 notes that Samuel mourned for Saul, but in 1 Samuel 16:1, God instructs Samuel to stop mourning and anoint a new king, David, showing the transition of leadership.
  6. 1 Samuel 18:12v141 Samuel 18:12 notes Saul's fear of David because the LORD was with him, contrasting with 1 Samuel 16:14 where the Spirit of the LORD departs from Saul, illustrating the shift of divine favor.
  7. 1 Samuel 19:9v141 Samuel 19:9 describes an evil spirit from the Lord coming upon Saul, similar to 1 Samuel 16:14, where the Spirit of the Lord departs from Saul and an evil spirit torments him.
  8. 2 Samuel 2:4v13David is anointed king over the house of Judah, fulfilling the earlier anointing by Samuel in 1 Samuel 16:13.
  9. 2 Samuel 3:1v132 Samuel 3:1 describes the long war between the house of Saul and the house of David, with David growing stronger. This is connected to 1 Samuel 16:13, where David is anointed by Samuel, indicating God's favor and the eventual establishment of his kingdom.
  10. 2 Samuel 5:2v12 Samuel 5:2 refers to the Lord's declaration that David would shepherd His people Israel, which is initially prophesied when Samuel anoints David as king in 1 Samuel 16:1-13.
  11. 2 Samuel 12:7v13In 2 Samuel 12:7, Nathan confronts David by reminding him of God's anointing, which is first mentioned in 1 Samuel 16:13 when Samuel anoints David as king. This highlights God's chosen leadership and David's responsibility.
  12. 1 Kings 1:39v131 Kings 1:39 describes Solomon's anointing as king, paralleling the anointing of David by Samuel in 1 Samuel 16:13, signifying divine selection and empowerment.
  13. 1 Chronicles 2:15v111 Chronicles 2:15 identifies David as the seventh son of Jesse, which aligns with the account of David's anointing in 1 Samuel 16:11-13, highlighting his selection by God.
  14. 1 Chronicles 6:31v181 Chronicles 6:31 mentions David appointing musicians for the house of the Lord, which connects to 1 Samuel 16:18-23 where David is described as a skilled musician who played the harp for Saul, highlighting his musical abilities and his role in worship.
  15. 1 Chronicles 25:1v231 Chronicles 25:1 describes the appointment of musicians for the service of the house of the Lord, highlighting the role of music in worship. In 1 Samuel 16:23, David plays the harp to soothe Saul, illustrating the power of music in spiritual and emotional contexts.
  16. Psalms 7:8v7Psalm 7:8 speaks of God judging the people, emphasizing His righteousness, which aligns with 1 Samuel 16:7 where God looks at the heart rather than outward appearances.
  17. Psalms 51:11v14Psalm 51:11 pleads not to be cast away from God's presence, reminiscent of 1 Samuel 16:14 where the Spirit of the Lord departs from Saul.
  18. Psalms 78:70-72v11Psalm 78:70-72 describes God's choice of David as shepherd and king, which is narrated in 1 Samuel 16:11-13, underscoring God's sovereign choice and leadership.
  19. Psalms 89:20-21v12Psalm 89:20-21 refers to God anointing David, which is the event described in 1 Samuel 16:12-13 when Samuel anoints David as king.
  20. Proverbs 31:30v7Proverbs 31:30 emphasizes that charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised, echoing 1 Samuel 16:7 where God values the heart over outward appearance.
  21. Matthew 23:27v7Matthew 23:27 describes the Pharisees as whitewashed tombs, beautiful outwardly but dead inside, similar to 1 Samuel 16:7 where God emphasizes looking at the heart rather than outward appearance.
  22. Luke 16:15v7Luke 16:15 states that God knows the heart, which aligns with 1 Samuel 16:7 where God tells Samuel that He looks at the heart rather than outward appearances.

Topics in this chapter

Related chapters

Your study

Take it with you

This chapter’s study as a Markdown file. The analysis was written for a notebook originally, so the hashtags arrive as hashtags and the passages as links.

Download the analysisDownload it with your notes and highlights