Dawn on the grazing slopes below Bethlehem: an empty stone sheepfold with its gate open, a shepherd's staff leaning on its wall, a small flock of sheep and goats moving out across the dewy hillside, the town small on its ridge behind.

The Book of

1 Samuel 16

The LORD has rejected a king who looked the part. Now He sends Samuel to a shepherd’s family in Bethlehem.

23 verses≈ 5 min5 peopleBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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In this chapter

Where we are

1–7SamuelA boy who listened
8–15SaulA king like the nations
16–20David risesThe LORD looks at the heartChapter 16
21–27David huntedThe anointed one waits
28–31Saul fallsEndor and Gilboa

Samuel Anoints David

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.”

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Samuel

“How can I go?”

Samuel asked.

Samuel

“Saul will hear of it and kill me!”

God

The LORD answered, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’

Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you are to do. You are to anoint for Me the one I indicate.”

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?”

Samuel

“In peace,” he replied. “I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.”

Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

Question

Quick question

Samuel was afraid to go to Bethlehem: “Saul will hear of it and kill me!” The LORD gave him something to take with him.

What did the LORD tell Samuel to take with him to Bethlehem?

Beside a rough stone altar with a thin line of smoke, tall, handsome, black-bearded Eliab stands before old Samuel, who looks up at him, impressed, holding a ram's horn of oil; Jesse and his other sons wait behind.

When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and said, “Surely here before the LORD is His anointed.”

1 Samuel 16:7

Samuel

And Samuel asked him, “Are these all the sons you have?”

Jesse

“There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied, “but he is tending the sheep.”

Samuel

“Send for him,” Samuel replied. “For we will not sit down to eat until he arrives.”

The youth David, ruddy, with reddish-brown curls and bright eyes, comes in breathless from the fields with his staff and shepherd's bag into a circle of his tall brothers, old Samuel and Jesse turning to look.

So Jesse sent for his youngest son and brought him in. He was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance.

And the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him, for he is the one.”

Evening: old Samuel tips a ram's horn and pours a stream of golden olive oil over the bowed head of the youth David, the oil running into his reddish-brown hair, while his seven older brothers stand watching.

So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.

0:11

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

Reflect

The LORD sees the heart

Even Samuel looked at Eliab and thought, “Surely here before the LORD is His anointed.” Israel had admired Saul the same way. Where do you size people up by the outside: looks, height, confidence, success? Write down one name. What would it mean this week to look at that person as the LORD looks?

David Serves Saul

Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a spirit of distress from the LORD began to torment him.

Saul’s servants

Saul’s servants said to him, “Surely a spirit of distress from God is tormenting you. Let our lord command your servants here to seek out someone who can skillfully play the harp. Whenever the spirit of distress from God is upon you, he is to play it, and you will be well.”

Saul

And Saul commanded his servants, “Find me someone who plays well, and bring him to me.”

One of the servants

One of the servants

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.”

So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.”

And Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine, and one young goat and sent them to Saul with his son David. When David came to Saul and entered his service, Saul loved him very much, and David became his armor-bearer.

Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Let David remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.”

A dim, lamplit hall in Saul's plain stone house: tall Saul sits slumped in shadow on a bench with his head in his hand, his spear leaning on the wall behind him, while the youth David sits on a low stool nearby playing a small wooden lyre.

And whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would pick up his harp and play. Then Saul would find relief and feel better, and the spirit of distress would depart from him.

Then Saul would find relief and feel better

1 Samuel 16:23

Pray

He chooses the overlooked

The LORD passed over seven fine sons and chose the youngest, who was out “tending the sheep.” Thank Him that He looks on the heart and chooses people the world overlooks. Ask Him for a heart He delights in, and for grace to serve faithfully where He has put you, as David served Saul, even before His promises are seen.

You’ve experienced

1 Samuel 16

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A verse to carry with you

For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.

1 Samuel 16:7

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