David Is Chosen, and Saul Begins to Decline

16:1 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long do you intend to mourn for Saul? I have rejected him as king over Israel. Fill your horn with olive oil and go! I am sending you to Jesse in Bethlehem, for I have selected a king for myself from among his sons.” 16:2 Samuel replied, “How can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me!” But the Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ 16:3 Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you should do. You will anoint for me the one I point out to you.” 16:4 Samuel did what the Lord told him. When he arrived in Bethlehem, the elders of the city were afraid to meet him. They said, “Do you come in peace?” 16:5 He replied, “Yes, in peace. I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” So he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice. 16:6 When they arrived, Samuel noticed Eliab and said to himself, “Surely, here before the Lord stands his chosen king!” 16:7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t be impressed by his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. God does not view things the way men do. People look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 16:8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and presented him to Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one, either.” 16:9 Then Jesse presented Shammah. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” 16:10 Jesse presented seven of his sons to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” 16:11 Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Is that all of the young men?” Jesse replied, “There is still the youngest one, but he’s taking care of the flock.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we cannot turn our attention to other things until he comes here.” 16:12 So Jesse had him brought in. Now he was ruddy, with attractive eyes and a handsome appearance. The Lord said, “Go and anoint him. This is the one!” 16:13 So Samuel took the horn full of olive oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers. The Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that day onward. Then Samuel got up and went to Ramah. 16:14 Now the Spirit of the Lord had turned away from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him. 16:15 Then Saul’s servants said to him, “Look, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you!” 16:16 Let our lord instruct his servants who are here before you to look for a man who knows how to play the lyre. Then whenever the evil spirit from God comes upon you, he can play the lyre and you will feel better.” 16:17 So Saul said to his servants, “Find me a man who plays well and bring him to me.” 16:18 One of his attendants replied, “I have seen a son of Jesse in Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave warrior and is articulate and handsome, for the Lord is with him.” 16:19 So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is out with the sheep. 16:20 So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a container of wine, and a young goat and sent them to Saul with his son David. 16:21 David came to Saul and stood before him. Saul liked him a great deal, and he became his armor bearer. 16:22 Then Saul sent word to Jesse saying, “Let David be my servant, for I really like him.” 16:23 So whenever the spirit from God would come upon Saul, David would take his lyre and play it. This would bring relief to Saul and make him feel better. Then the evil spirit would leave him alone.

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible®, copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

The Lord rejects Saul and chooses David. This shows that true kingship depends on God’s choice, not outward appearance. David is anointed and given the Spirit, then brought into Saul’s house, where Saul’s decline and David’s rise become clear.

The Lord tells Samuel not to keep mourning over Saul, because Saul has been rejected as king. Samuel goes to Bethlehem to anoint one of Jesse’s sons. At first Samuel thinks Eliab must be the Lord’s choice, but the Lord corrects him: people look at outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. Jesse’s sons are brought forward one by one until David, the youngest, is brought in. The Lord says David is the one, and Samuel anoints him. From that day on, the Spirit of the Lord comes upon David.

After that, the story turns to Saul. The Spirit of the Lord turns away from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubles him. Saul’s servants suggest finding someone who can play the lyre. They find David, who is known for his skill and for being a brave young man, and Saul brings him into his household. David plays for Saul when he is troubled, and Saul finds relief. This chapter shows the Lord’s hidden choice of David and the visible decline of Saul.

• The Lord rejected Saul as king.
• God chose David from Jesse’s sons.
• People look at outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.
• David was anointed in the presence of his brothers.
• The Spirit of the Lord came upon David.
• The Spirit of the Lord turned away from Saul.
• David entered Saul’s house and served him.
• David’s playing brought Saul relief.

• Do not trust outward appearance alone.
• Be ready to obey when the Lord’s choice is revealed.
• Remember that God can use ordinary means to give relief.
• Take seriously the reality of divine judgment in Saul’s trouble.

God is moving Israel from Saul’s rejected rule to David’s chosen rule. David is the shepherd from Bethlehem whom God anoints and equips by his Spirit, and his rise begins while Saul’s decline becomes visible.

This passage teaches us to value what God values. We should not judge only by looks, strength, or status. We should trust God’s timing when his plan is not yet fully visible, and we should take seriously the danger of being rejected by him. At the same time, we can see that God brings help and relief in ways we may not expect.

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