1Now 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.”
2“How can I go?” Samuel asked. “Saul will hear of it and kill me!” The LORD answered, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’
3Then 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.”
4So 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?”
5“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.
6When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and said, “Surely here before the LORD is His anointed.”
7But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”
8Then Jesse called Abinadab and presented him to Samuel, who said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.”
9Next Jesse presented Shammah, but Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.”
10Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel told him, “The LORD has not chosen any of these.”
11And Samuel asked him, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied, “but he is tending the sheep.” “Send for him,” Samuel replied. “For we will not sit down to eat until he arrives.”
12So 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.”
13So 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.
14Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a spirit of distress from the LORD began to torment him.
15Saul’s servants said to him, “Surely a spirit of distress from God is tormenting you.
16Let 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.”
17And Saul commanded his servants, “Find me someone who plays well, and bring him to me.”
18One 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.”
19So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.”
20And Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine, and one young goat and sent them to Saul with his son David.
21When David came to Saul and entered his service, Saul loved him very much, and David became his armor-bearer.
22Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Let David remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.”
23And 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.
1 Samuel 16 Section and Chapter Commentary
1 Sam 16:1-17
Samuel: The Rise of Kingship
The Book of Samuel chronicles the birth of Samuel, the capture and return of the Ark, and the people's demand for a king (1 Samuel 1-8). Despite Samuel's warnings about the pitfalls of monarchy, Saul is anointed as Israel's first king (1 Samuel 9-12), followed by David's rise to power and eventual reign (1 Samuel 16 - 2 Samuel 24).
Summarized by AI · The Hebrew Bible: Exploring the Literature of Ancient Israel · Lecture 11: The History | From Joshua to Josiah · watch the clip
1 Sam 16:1-13
God's Choice of David
In 1 Samuel 16, God rejects Jesse's older sons, who appear kingly, in favor of the youngest, David, who is out tending sheep. This selection emphasizes that God looks beyond physical appearance, a contrast to Saul's earlier selection based on his impressive stature, and privately anoints David as king.
Summarized by AI · The Hebrew Bible: Exploring the Literature of Ancient Israel · Lecture 13: The David Story · watch the clip
David's anointing by Samuel
In 1 Samuel 16, David is secretly anointed by Samuel as the next king, despite being the youngest and seemingly least impressive of Jesse's sons. This private anointing is presented as a 'Cinderella story' where God rejects David's older brothers, signifying divine favor for David.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · King David Killed His Way to the Throne · watch the clip
1 Sam 16:14-23
Scarcity of exorcisms in Hebrew Bible due to editorial strategy
The relative scarcity of explicit exorcisms or magical incidents in the Hebrew Bible, apart from a few instances like David soothing Saul's evil spirit, is likely due to an editorial strategy. The biblical editors aimed to downplay or exclude such 'occultic practices' from what was considered proper religious practice, possibly to discourage necromancy or other forms of divination, even if these practices were more common 'on the ground' in ancient Israelite culture.
Summarized by AI · Demons and Ghosts in the Bible · Lecture 19: Demons and Magic in the Bible (I) · watch the clip
Music and entertainment in ancient Israel
Music and instruments were part of ancient Israelite life, as evidenced by the Psalms and mentions of musicians like David. However, the concept of leisure entertainment, as known in Greek and Roman cultures (e.g., theaters, public baths), was not prevalent in the Iron Age world. Daily life likely involved music and singing within the home, but not dedicated public entertainment venues.
Summarized by AI · Everyday Life in Ancient Israel · Lecture 2: The Household and Its Foodways · watch the clip
Two Accounts of David's Introduction to Saul
The narrative presents two distinct accounts of how David came into Saul's service. In 1 Samuel 16, David is introduced as a skilled lyre player and arms-bearer for Saul. However, in 1 Samuel 17, during the Goliath story, David is introduced as if unknown to Saul, suggesting two separate traditions or stories woven together.
Summarized by AI · The Hebrew Bible: Exploring the Literature of Ancient Israel · Lecture 13: The David Story · watch the clip
David as Saul's lyre player
Following his anointing, David is introduced to Saul's court in 1 Samuel 16 as a skilled lyre player, brought in to soothe Saul's troubled spirit. Saul becomes fond of David and appoints him as his armor-bearer, keeping him close.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · King David Killed His Way to the Throne · watch the clip
Contradictory introductions of David to Saul
The biblical text presents two mutually exclusive accounts of how David was introduced to Saul. The first, in 1 Samuel 16, describes David as Saul's lyre player and armor-bearer. The second, in 1 Samuel 17, portrays David as an unknown shepherd boy who defeats Goliath, after which Saul asks his general, 'Who the hell is that?' These inconsistencies suggest different textual threads woven together.
Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · King David Killed His Way to the Throne · watch the clip
