1 Samuel 16:1-12: The Anointing of David
God Rejects Saul
1 Samuel 16:1-3
The Lord said to Samuel, "How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse in Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king."
In this passage, God instructs Samuel to stop mourning over Saul, whom He has rejected as king over Israel. Instead, Samuel is sent to Bethlehem to anoint one of Jesse's sons as the new king.
Samuel's Fear
1 Samuel 16:4-5
Samuel did what the Lord said, and he arrived at Bethlehem. When the elders of the town trembled with fear at his coming, they asked, "Do you come in peace, seer?" Samuel replied, "Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice."
Samuel's presence in Bethlehem causes fear among the elders, who wonder if he comes in peace. Samuel assures them that he has come to sacrifice to the Lord and invites them to join him.
The Candidates
1 Samuel 16:6-10
When they arrived, Samuel looked at Eliab and thought, "Surely the Lord's anointed stands here before the Lord." But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." Then Jesse called Abinadab and presented him to Samuel. But Samuel said, "The Lord has not chosen this one either." Jesse then presented Shimea, but Samuel said, "The Lord has not chosen this one either." Jesse presented seven of his sons before Samuel, but Samuel said, "The Lord has not chosen these."
Samuel looks at Eliab, Jesse's eldest son, and thinks he might be the chosen one. However, God corrects Samuel, saying that He does not look at outward appearance but at the heart. One by one, Jesse presents seven of his sons, but none of them are chosen by God.
The Anointing of David
1 Samuel 16:11-12
"So Jesse said to Samuel, 'There is still the youngest; he is tending the sheep.' Samuel said, 'Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.' So they sent for him and brought him in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, 'Rise and anoint him; this is the one.'"
Finally, Samuel asks Jesse if he has any other sons, and Jesse mentions the youngest, David, who is out tending the sheep. David is brought before Samuel, and God chooses him as the new king of Israel.
