Samuel Anoints David as King
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.”
God had chosen His king before the foundations of the world were created. First, God allowed the people to choose their own king. Since man is totally depraved and evil, he will always choose the wrong man for king. Man will often choose a man who is tall, dark, and handsome, but lacks strong Bible doctrine. Israel chose King Saul. The American electorate often chooses Satan's man to run their democratic government.
Since King Saul had been rejected by God, then Jehovah sent Samuel to the small shepherd’s town of Bethlehem to anoint another king with olive oil. He was to anoint one of Jesse’s sons. Jesse was a descendant of Boaz and Ruth. The Book of Ruth was written in order to introduce the genealogy of the messianic line of David.
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.’
Like most pagan kings, Saul would exterminate anyone who was a threat to his dynastic line. Samuel was immortal until he anointed this king, so this complaint should not have been registered with God.
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.”
Samuel was to invite Jesse to the sacrifice and then anoint one of his sons as king.
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?”
Bethlehem was a small shepherding community. They were surprised to experience a prophet enter into their town. Usually, prophets brought bad news of God’s judgment.
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.
Samuel confirmed to the Bethlehem elders that he was on a peaceful mission.
16:6 When they arrived, Samuel noticed Eliab and said to himself, “Surely, here before the Lord stands his chosen king!”
Eliab was the oldest son of Jesse. He looked like a fine-looking king to Samuel.
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.”
Eliab was tall, strong, and handsome, but God does not look at the outward appearance.
16:8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and presented him to Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one, either.”
The second son of Jesse was also rejected by Samuel.
16:9 Then Jesse presented Shammah. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.”
The third son was also rejected.
16:10 Jesse presented seven of his sons to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.”
The first seven sons were all rejected.
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.”
There was only one more son, but he was a young boy attending the flock. Samuel wanted to see him as well.
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!”
Little David was “a man after God’s own heart." This metaphor meant that he wanted to study and apply the intellect of God. David was the dynastic king in whom God had chosen before the foundations of the world to produce the Messianic King who would rule during the Millennial Kingdom.
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.
Samuel anointed David with olive oil. The Spirit came upon David to authenticate his future position as king. From this moment on, David would be immortal until he fulfilled his role as king.
David Appears before Saul
16:14 Now the Spirit of the Lord had turned away from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him.
As the Spirit entered David, this same Spirit left Saul. This shows that the Spirit did not come upon Saul for salvation, but for service. God allowed an evil spirit to torment Saul.
16:15 Then Saul’s servants said to him, “Look, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you!”
Saul’s servants noticed that a demon was tormenting Saul. The servant also noticed that God sent the demon to torment Saul. A demon cannot afflict, influence, or possess anyone, unless God allows it.
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.”
The servants recommend music to soothe the soul.
16:17 So Saul said to his servants, “Find me a man who plays well and bring him to me.”
Saul ordered a harpist to be found.
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.”
God’s providence brought David to the palace of the king.
16:19 So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is out with the sheep.
David was summoned to the palace of the king. Jesse knew the prophetic future of David, but Saul did not.
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.
Jesse sent his son David to the palace of the king.
16:21 David came to Saul and stood before him. Saul liked him a great deal, and he became his armor bearer.
David became the armor bearer of the king. God placed David in a position where he could learn politics from an experienced king.
16:22 Then Saul sent word to Jesse saying, “Let David be my servant, for I really like him.”
Saul wanted David to become one of his servants. This gave David even more opportunity to learn political insights from King Saul. God allowed Saul to serve as king for fifteen more years so that he could train David.
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.
Saul could find relief only in music. The Holy Spirit empowered David with the ability to drive away the demon with his music. Elisha, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun prophesied with harps, lyres, and cymbals. David may have possessed this ability as well.