I Samuel 16, A Son of Jesse will be King

God has rejected Saul as king. But it will take awhile for a new king to arise.

I Samuel 16: 1-3, YHWH has a new king in mind

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 of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king."

But Samuel said, "How can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me." 

The LORD said, "Take a heifer with you and say, `I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.' Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate."

YHWH instructs Samuel to prepare to anoint a new king.  But this is dangerous, given that Saul will not like this. So YHWH suggests a trip with two goals.

Samuel is traveling to Bethlehem, the town of Ruth and Boaz, and their descendants, Obed and Jesse.

I Samuel 16: 4-5, Arrival at Bethlehem

Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, "Do you come in peace?"

Samuel replied, "Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me." 

Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

The people of Bethlehem are a bit threatened by the arrival of Samuel. Samuel is a powerful figure and, whether they perceive this or not, he is in conflict with their king.  But Samuel reassures them and invites the sons of Jesse to the sacrifice.

I Samuel 16: 6-10, Which one

When they arrived, Samuel saw 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 man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, "The LORD has not chosen this one either."

Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, "Nor has the LORD chosen this one." Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, "The LORD has not chosen these."

Jesse has some impressive sons.  But the one YHWH wants is not there.

Each son passes in front of Samuel and Samuel is reminded by YHWH that He looks on the heart, not the stature.  This man who comes after Saul, will not have the dramatic stature of Saul.

A standard Old Testament storytelling device occurs here: We are given an account #1, then #2, then #3, with identical phrases, followed by "and so on."  We are told, one by one, of the rejection of the first three sons, and then we quickly skip through all seven.

I Samuel 16: 11-13, One more son

So he asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?" 

"There is still the youngest," Jesse answered, "but he is tending the sheep." Samuel said, "Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives."

So he sent and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; he is the one." So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah.

The youngest son, the eighth. is also attractive -- but not just physically but spiritually.  YHWH likes his heart.  

The Spirit of God comes upon David.  And then Samuel goes home.

I Samuel 16: 14-17, Evil spirit

Now the Spirit of the LORD had departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD tormented him. Saul's attendants said to him, "See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the harp. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes upon you, and you will feel better."

So Saul said to his attendants, "Find someone who plays well and bring him to me."

The Spirit of God departs Saul, just as it has now come upon David.  Instead of the Spirit of God, Saul is traumatized by an evil (or injurious) spirit. Apparently music will soothe his soul and so there is a search for a harpist. (To my Sam Houston friends who majored in Music Therapy -- David is your model! 😋) 

I Samuel 16: 18-23, Get David

One of the servants answered, "I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the LORD is with him."

Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, "Send me your son David, who is with the sheep." So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul. David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers.

Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, "Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him."

Whenever the spirit from God came upon Saul, David would take his harp and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.

So the anointed young king-in-waiting will play for the aging king.  This is the beginning of a grand conflict and a grand story.