Introduction

The anointing of Saul’s successor, David.

Verses
1The LORD 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 amongst his sons.”
2Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.”
The LORD said, “Take a heifer with you, and say, I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.
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 the LORD 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 the LORD. 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 the LORD’s anointed is before him.”
7But the LORD 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 the LORD looks at the heart.”
8Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. He said, “The LORD has not chosen this one, either.”
9Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. He said, “The LORD has not chosen this one, either.”
10Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD 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. The LORD 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 the LORD’s Spirit came mightily on David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.
14Now the LORD’s Spirit departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD 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 skilful 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 skilful in playing, a mighty man of valour, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the LORD 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, and 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 armour bearer.
22Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Please let David stand before me; for he has found favour 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.

Questions

1. Why does the LORD send Samuel to Jesse the Bethlehemite?

v 1 … I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite; for I have provided a king for myself amongst his sons.”

2. Why is the LORD's choice different from Samuel's?

v 7 But the LORD 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 the LORD looks at the heart.”

3. When Saul loves David, in what two ways does David serve him?

v 21 ... he became his armour bearer.

and v 23 ... David took the harp, and played with his hand; so Saul was refreshed, and was well, ...

Summary Points

  • v 1 to 5 Samuel is sent by the LORD to Bethlehem. He is told to invite Jesse and his sons to a sacrifice. The LORD will tell him which of Jesse’s sons will be the next king
  • v 6 to 13 Samuel sees seven of Jesse’s sons, but none are chosen. Samuel is told not to trust his own opinion. Jesse then sends for his youngest son David, who is looking after sheep. Samuel is told to anoint him
  • v 14 to 23 Saul becomes troubled in his mind. His servants suggest that a skilful harpist might help him. David is known to be a skilful player, so he is sent for and plays for Saul and makes him well

Timeline 1050 BC

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