I Samuel 16
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Fill thine horn with oil - Horns appear to have been the ancient drinking vessels of all nations; and we may suppose that most persons who had to travel much, always carried one with them, for the purpose of taking up water from the fountains to quench their thirst. Such a horn had Samuel; and on this occasion he was commanded to fill it with oil, for the purpose of consecrating a king over Israel from among the sons of Jesse.
Open source ↗SAMUEL SENT BY GOD TO BETHLEHEM. (Sa1 16:1-10) the Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul--Samuel's grief on account of Saul's rejection, accompanied, doubtless, by earnest prayers for his restitution, showed the amiable feelings of the man; but they were at variance with his public duty as a prophet. The declared purpose of God to transfer the kingdom of Israel into other hands than Saul's was not an angry menace, but a fixed and immutable decree; so that Samuel ought to have sooner submitted to the peremptory manifestation of the divine will. But to leave him no longer room to doubt of its being unalterable, he was sent on a private mission to anoint a successor to Saul (see on Sa1 10:1). The immediate designation of a king was of the greatest importance for the interests of the nation in the event of Saul's death, which, to this time, was dreaded; it would establish David's title and comfort the minds of Samuel and other good men with a right settlement, whatever contingency might happen. I have provided me a king--The language is remarkable, and intimates a difference between this and the former king. Saul was the people's choice, the fruit of their wayward and sinful desires for their own honor and aggrandizement. The next was to be a king who would consult the divine glory, and selected from that tribe to which the pre-eminence had been early promised (Gen 49:10).
Open source ↗And the Lord said unto Samuel,.... In a vision or dream, or by an articulate voice: how long wilt thou mourn for Saul? he does not blame him for mourning, but for mourning so long; but how long that was cannot be said; and though his affection for him might cause him to indulge to it, yet it was in vain, seeing the sentence was irreversible: seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? that is, his posterity; for he himself reigned as long as he lived, though in a very inglorious manner: fill thine horn with oil; with common oil; for that this was the holy anointing oil kept in the tabernacle, as the Jewish writers generally suppose, with which they say David and Solomon, and the kings of Judah, were anointed, there is no reason to believe; since the tabernacle, where this oil was, was at a distance from Samuel, and which seems to have been only for the anointing of the priests. This was not a phial he was bid to take, as when he anointed Saul; but an horn, denoting the abundance of gifts bestowed on David, and the firmness and duration of his kingdom: and go, and I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite; the son of Obed, whom Boaz begat of Ruth the Moabitess, Rut 4:21. for I have provided me a king among his sons; but which he says not; this was reserved for an later discovery; however God had in his own mind picked him, whom he would hereafter make known; this was a king for himself, raised up to fulfil his will; Saul was chosen by him, but then it was at the request of the people, and so he was rather their king than his; but this was not at their desire, nor with their knowledge, but of his own good will and pleasure; the one was given in wrath, and the other in love; the one was to the rejection of God as King, the other to the rejection of Saul by the w…
Open source ↗Anointing of David. - Sa1 16:1. The words in which God summoned Samuel to proceed to the anointing of another king, "How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, whom I have rejected, that he may not be king over Israel?" show that the prophet had not yet been able to reconcile himself to the hidden ways of the Lord; that he was still afraid that the people and kingdom of God would suffer from the rejection of Saul; and that he continued to mourn for Saul, not merely from his own personal attachment to the fallen king, but also, or perhaps still more, from anxiety for the welfare of Israel. He was now to put an end to this mourning, and to fill his horn with oil and go to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for the Lord had chosen a king from among his sons. Sa1 16:2-3 But Samuel replied, "How shall I go? If Saul hear it, he will kill me." This fear on the part of the prophet, who did not generally show himself either hesitating or timid, can only be explained, as we may see from Sa1 16:14, on the supposition that Saul was already given up to the power of the evil spirit, so that the very worst might be dreaded from his madness, if he discovered that Samuel had anointed another king. That there was some foundation for Samuel's anxiety, we may infer from the fact that the Lord did not blame him for his fear, but pointed out the way by which he might anoint David without attracting attention (Sa1 16:2, Sa1 16:3). "Take a young heifer with thee, and say (sc., if any one ask the reason for your going to Bethlehem), I am come to sacrifice to the Lord." There was no untruth in this, for Samuel was really about to conduct a sacrificial festival and was to invite Jesse's family to it, and then anoint the one whom Jehovah should point out to him as the chosen one. It was simply a concealment of the p…
Open source ↗Samuel had retired to his own house in Ramah, with a resolution not to appear any more in public business, but to addict himself wholly to the instructing and training up of the sons of the prophets, over whom he presided, as we find, Sa1 19:20. He promised himself more satisfaction in young prophets than in young princes; and we do not find that, to his dying day, God called him out to any public action relating to the state, but only here to anoint David. I. God reproves him for continuing so long to mourn for the rejection of Saul. He does not blame him for mourning on that occasion, but for exceeding in his sorrow: How long wilt thou mourn for Saul? Sa1 16:1. We do not find here that he mourned at all for the setting aside of his own family and the deposing of his own sons; but for the rejecting of Saul and his seed he mourns without measure, for the former was done by the people's foolish discontent, this by the righteous wrath of God. Yet he must find time to recover himself, and not go mourning to his grave, 1. Because God has rejected him, and he ought to acquiesce in the divine justice, and forget his affection to Saul; if God will be glorified in his ruin, Samuel ought to be satisfied. Besides, to what purpose should he weep? The decree has gone forth, and all his prayers and tears cannot prevail for the reversing of it, Sa2 12:22, Sa2 12:23. 2. Because Israel shall be no loser by it, and Samuel must prefer the public welfare before his own private affection to his friend. "Mourn not for Saul, for I have provided me a king. The people provided themselves a king and he proved bad, now I will provide myself one, a man after my own heart." See Psa 89:20; Act 13:22. "If Saul be rejected, yet Israel shall not be as sheep having no shepherd. I have another in store…
Open source ↗16:1-23 David was Saul’s replacement. There are striking similarities between the two: Samuel anointed both. Neither was pursuing the position. Both were unlikely candidates (Saul was from the smallest tribe; David was the youngest son). Both were impressive in appearance (9:2; 16:12). And the Spirit came mightily on each when he was anointed king (10:10; 11:6; 16:13). The key difference was that David was “a man after [God’s] own heart” (13:14; cp. 16:7), while Saul was not. 16:1 mourned long enough: See study note on 15:35. • Bethlehem was about five miles south of Jerusalem. It was later known as the City of David (Luke 2:11) and the birthplace of Jesus. • Jesse was the grandson of Boaz and Ruth (Ruth 4:22). • I have selected: This Hebrew verb implies that God had seen one of [Jesse’s] sons and based his choice on what he saw. God, the eternal king, knows better than the people of Israel how to choose a good king to serve the nation, and he provided a replacement for Saul who would lead Israel well.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שְׁמוּאֵל (Shᵉmûwʼêl, H8050) — Shemuel, the name of three Israelites אָבַל (ʼâbal, H56) — to bewail שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites מָאַס (mâʼaç, H3988) — to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity מָלֵא (mâlêʼ, H4390) — to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively) קֶרֶן (qeren, H7161) — a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemblance. an elephant's… שֶׁמֶן (shemen, H8081) — grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) יִשַׁי (Yishay, H3448) — Jishai, David's father
Open source ↗שְׁמוּאֵל (Shᵉmûwʼêl, H8050) — Shemuel, the name of three Israelites אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… הָרַג (hârag, H2026) — to smite with deadly intent יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) בָּקָר (bâqâr, H1241) — beef cattle or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing);… עֶגְלָה (ʻeglâh, H5697) — a (female) calf, especially one nearly grown (i.e. a heifer) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) זָבַח (zâbach, H2076) — to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)
Open source ↗קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… יִשַׁי (Yishay, H3448) — Jishai, David's father זֶבַח (zebach, H2077) — properly, a slaughter, i.e. the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the… יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מָשַׁח (mâshach, H4886) — to rub with oil, i.e. to anoint; by implication, to consecrate; also to paint אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗שְׁמוּאֵל (Shᵉmûwʼêl, H8050) — Shemuel, the name of three Israelites עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) בֵּית לֶחֶם (Bêyth Lechem, H1035) — Beth-Lechem, a place in Palestine זָקֵן (zâqên, H2205) — old עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… חָרַד (chârad, H2729) — to shudder with terror; hence, to fear; also to hasten (with anxiety) קִרְאָה (qirʼâh, H7125) — an encountering, accidental, friendly or hostile (also adverbially, opposite) אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שָׁלוֹם (shâlôwm, H7965) — safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health,…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שָׁלוֹם (shâlôwm, H7965) — safe, i.e. (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e. health,… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) זָבַח (zâbach, H2076) — to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God קָדַשׁ (qâdash, H6942) — to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally) זֶבַח (zebach, H2077) — properly, a slaughter, i.e. the flesh of an animal; by implication, a sacrifice (the… יִשַׁי (Yishay, H3448) — Jishai, David's father בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of…
Open source ↗בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… אֱלִיאָב (ʼĔlîyʼâb, H446) — Eliab, the name of six Israelites אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God מָשִׁיחַ (mâshîyach, H4899) — anointed; usually a consecrated person (as a king, priest, or saint); specifically, the…
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) שְׁמוּאֵל (Shᵉmûwʼêl, H8050) — Shemuel, the name of three Israelites נָבַט (nâbaṭ, H5027) — to scan, i.e. look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care מַרְאֶה (marʼeh, H4758) — a view (the act of seeing); also an appearance (the thing seen), whether (real) a shape… גָּבֹהַּ (gâbôahh, H1364) — elevated (or elated), powerful, arrogant קוֹמָה (qôwmâh, H6967) — height מָאַס (mâʼaç, H3988) — to spurn; also (intransitively) to disappear אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) לֵבָב (lêbâb, H3824) — the heart (as the most interior organ);
Open source ↗יִשַׁי (Yishay, H3448) — Jishai, David's father קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… אֲבִינָדָב (ʼĂbîynâdâb, H41) — Abinadab, the name of four Israelites עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… שְׁמוּאֵל (Shᵉmûwʼêl, H8050) — Shemuel, the name of three Israelites אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God בָּחַר (bâchar, H977) — properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select
Open source ↗יִשַׁי (Yishay, H3448) — Jishai, David's father שַׁמָּה (Shammâh, H8048) — Shammah, the name of an Edomite and four Israelites עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God בָּחַר (bâchar, H977) — properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select
Open source ↗יִשַׁי (Yishay, H3448) — Jishai, David's father שֶׁבַע (shebaʻ, H7651) — seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week;… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… שְׁמוּאֵל (Shᵉmûwʼêl, H8050) — Shemuel, the name of three Israelites אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God בָּחַר (bâchar, H977) — properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select
Open source ↗שְׁמוּאֵל (Shᵉmûwʼêl, H8050) — Shemuel, the name of three Israelites אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יִשַׁי (Yishay, H3448) — Jishai, David's father תָּמַם (tâmam, H8552) — to complete, in a good or a bad sense, literal, or figurative, transitive or intransitive נַעַר (naʻar, H5288) — (concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a… שָׁאַר (shâʼar, H7604) — properly, to swell up, i.e. be (causatively, make) redundant קָטָן (qâṭân, H6996) — abbreviated, i.e. diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in… רָעָה (râʻâh, H7462) — to tend a flock; i.e. pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively);… צֹאן (tsôʼn, H6629) — a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men) שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) סָבַב (çâbab, H5437) — to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) פֹּה (pôh, H6311) — this place (French ici), i.e. here or hence
Open source ↗שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) אַדְמֹנִי (ʼadmônîy, H132) — reddish (of the hair or the complexion) עִם (ʻim, H5973) — adverb or preposition, with (i.e. in conjunction with), in varied applications;… יָפֶה (yâpheh, H3303) — beautiful (literally or figuratively) עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… רֳאִי (rŏʼîy, H7210) — sight, whether abstractly (vision) or concretely (a spectacle) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) מָשַׁח (mâshach, H4886) — to rub with oil, i.e. to anoint; by implication, to consecrate; also to paint
Open source ↗שְׁמוּאֵל (Shᵉmûwʼêl, H8050) — Shemuel, the name of three Israelites לָקַח (lâqach, H3947) — to take (in the widest variety of applications) קֶרֶן (qeren, H7161) — a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemblance. an elephant's… שֶׁמֶן (shemen, H8081) — grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness מָשַׁח (mâshach, H4886) — to rub with oil, i.e. to anoint; by implication, to consecrate; also to paint קֶרֶב (qereb, H7130) — properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial… אָח (ʼâch, H251) — a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or… רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צָלַח (tsâlach, H6743) — to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive) דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… מַעַל (maʻal, H4605) — properly, the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from… קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
Open source ↗רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God סוּר (çûwr, H5493) — to turn off (literal or figurative) שָׁאוּל (Shâʼûwl, H7586) — Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) בָּעַת (bâʻath, H1204) — to fear
Open source ↗Cross-references
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Now Elisha the prophet summoned one of the sons of the prophets and said to him, “Tuck your cloak under your belt, take this flask of oil, and go to Ramoth-gilead.
For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance is like the wickedness of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, He has rejected you as king.”
And to the day of his death, Samuel never again visited Saul. Samuel mourned for Saul, and the LORD regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel.
And once more, Isaiah says: “The Root of Jesse will appear, One who will arise to rule over the Gentiles; in Him the Gentiles will put their hope.”
“I will not return with you,” Samuel replied. “For you have rejected the word of the LORD, and He has rejected you as king over Israel.”
Then Samuel took a flask of oil, poured it on Saul’s head, kissed him, and said, “Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over His inheritance?
Saul’s servants said to him, “Surely a spirit of distress from God is tormenting you.
“At this time tomorrow I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you are to anoint him leader over My people Israel; he will save them from the hand of the Philistines. For I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come to Me.”
“I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned away from following Me and has not carried out My instructions.” And Samuel was distressed and cried out to the LORD all that night.
And whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would pick up his harp and play, and Saul would become well, and the spirit of distress would depart from him.