1 Samuel 16

The Lord sendeth Samuel to Bethlehem unto Isai, to anoint one of his sons King: Samuel fearing Saul, is instructed how to manage the business with safety, over.2, Samuel was inclined to anoint Eliab, Isaia’s eldest son King, 6 But the Lord telleth him, that he had chosen David, Isai’s youngest son to be King, 12 Him: Samuel anointeth, and the spirit of God cometh upon him, 13.Butdepateth from Saul, 14. David is summoned to court by the advice of Sauls servants, to play before Saul, 16.Davids praise, 18 Saul loveth him greatly,andfmaketh him his Armour-bearer, 21. David playeth before Saul when the spirit vexed and disquieted him,23.

1. Then said the LORD unto Samuel, How long dost thou mourn for Saul, whom I verilty have rejected, that he be noKing over Isreal? Fill thine bornwith oyl, [See above chapter 10.1] and go thy ways, I will send thee unto Isai the Bethlehemite, for I have provided me a King among his sons.

2. But Samuel said, how should I go thither? [Samuel was here possessed with humane fear, and out of anxiety, and perplexity of mind he asketh counsel of the Lord, how he might conveniently perform his command, and avoid the apparent danger] for Saul will hear it [i. e. come to know it, or be advertised of it] and kill me: then said the LORD, Take a calf of the oxen with thee [Heb, in thine hand. As if he should say, get a calf ready, or at hand] and say, I am come to offer [Heb . to slay, viz. a thank-offering]unto the LORD.

3. And thou shalt invite [Heb. call] Isai to the offering,[or, o the feast,or banquet, that was made after the offering was performed, of the meat that was offered unto God. And hence it appeareth, that this was not done in Isai’s house, for no man is invited to a feast or banquet in his own house] and I will acquaint thee what thou shalt do, and thou shalt anoint me(him)whom I shall say,(or name) unto thee.

4. Now Samuel did that which the LORD had spoken, and he came to Bethlehem. Then the Eldest of the city trembling to meet him, [Heb. trembled to meet him. Compare above chap13.17. below chap 21.1, Hosea 11:10] and said [Heb said in singular number, viz. one in the name of all] is thy coming (in) peace?[Heb. Is thy coming peace? Peradventure they thought that Samuel fled from Saul, having (it may be) heard that Saul was provoked against him, because that he had told him that God rejected him from the Kingdome: or peradventure they were afraid they had committed some great sinne, which the Prophet came to discover unto them, and to denounce God’s judgment against them for the same.]

5. He then said, in peace: I am come to offer unto the LORD, hallow your selves, [i. e. Prepare, and fit yourselves for it, as it becometh you so to do: see Exod.19. verse 10, 14,15.] and come with me to the offering: and he hallowed Isai, and his sons,[i. e. He commanded not onely Isai, but also his sons to hallow themselves. Doubtlesse Samuel like wife discovered to Isai, that he was sent of God to anoint one of his sons King in Sauls stead; as appeareth from the next following verses] and he invited them to the offering.

6. And it came to pass when they came in, [viz.The sons of Isai, who successively, one after another, came into a certain room or chamber] that he looked on Eliah [otherwise called Elihu, 1Chron 27.18.] and thought, [Heb. said, viz in his heart; but not by the instinct or inspiration of God. Samuel looking on his beauty and tallness, thought that this was the right man whom the Lord had chosen] surely (this man) is before the LORD, his anointed. [i.e. he is the man, whom I must anoint King: but erred in this, as Nathan did, 2 Sam 7.3. speaking according to his own judgment and apprehension.]

7. But the LORD said unto Samuel, [viz. In a secret, hidden manner, as below ver.12 and above, chapter 9.17] Look not on his countenance, nor on the height of his fixture, for I have rejected him: [i.e. not chosen him to be king; and so ver. 8,9, &c. for there is no mention made of the election to salvation] for it is no as man saith, for man looketh on that which is before the eyes, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

8. Then Isai called Abinadab, and he made him pass before the face of Samuel: but he [viz Samuel] said neither hath the LORD chosen [viz. to the Kings honour or dignity] this.

9. Afterward Isai made Samma [Oth. called Simea, 2 Sam 13.3. and 1 Chronicles 2:13.] to pass by: but he said neither hath the LORD chosen this.

10. Also Isai made his seven sons [Compare 1 Chron 2 on ver. 13,14.] to pass before the face of Samuel: but Samuel said unto Isai, the LORD hath not chosen these.

11. Moreover, Samuel said unto Isai, Are there all the young men? [Heb..Are the young men ended?] and he said , the least is yet remaining, and behold, he feedeth sheep: now Samuel,for we will not sit down round about [Heb. compass about environ,turn about] until he shall be come hither.

12. Then sent he away, and brought him in (now he was ruddy withal of beautiful eyes, and of (as) beautiful countenance) and the LORD said, [viz. By a secret or inward motion, or instinct of the Holy Ghost] Arise, anoint him, for this is he.

13. Then took Samuel the horn of oil, and he anointed him in the midst of his bretheren, [viz. After he had made his father, him, and all that were there present, acquainted with the will of the Lord touching this matter] and the spirit of the Lord waxed ready upon David [seethe like example, Judg.13.25. &1 Sam .11.6] from that day, and (so) forward: afterward Samuel rose up, and he went to Rama.

14. And the spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord [This was a certain madness, or trouble of min, which Satan stirred up in Saul, by Gods permission and providence, whereby he justly punished Saul] terrified him. [or, troubled him, disquieted him.]

15. Then said Saul’s servants unto him: behold now, an evil spirit of God [Sent of God, to execute his righteous judgment] terrifieth thee.

16. let our Lord now say to thy servants, [i.e. To us] which (stand) before thy face, [i.e. who stand ready and prepared to wait upon thee, or, to do thee service] that they seek out a man, that is skilful in playing the Harp : [See Gen.4. on v21] and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit of God [see verse 15.] is upon thee.[i.e. that thy heart and mind may be eased and quieted, the melancholy humour being dispelled, and asswaged by the Musick.]

17. Then said Saul to his servants: provide me now a man that can play well, bring him to me.

18. Then answered one of the young men, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Isai the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing in playing, and he is a valiant champion, and a man of war, and understanding in matters; [Or, words. Otherwise an eloquent man] and a beautiful man, and the LORD is with him.[i.e. he is blessed and prosperous in all his attempts.]

19. Now Saul sent messengers unto Isai, and said send me David thy son, which is with the sheep.

20. Then Isai took an ass with bread, [Heb. an ass of bread; i e. an ass loaden with bread] and a lethern sack with wine, and a kid of the goats, and sent them by the hand of his son David to Saul.

21. So David came unto Saul, and he stood before his face:[i. e. he abode at Court in this Kings Service: so is the word to stand also taken, ver.22.see the annotat. Deut1.38.] and he became his Amour-bearer.

22. Afterward Saul sent to Isai, saying: Let David I pray thee, Stand before my face, [As verse 21] for he hath found grace in mine eyes.[see the annotat on Genesis 18:3.]

23. And it came to pass when the spirit of God [Undestand that evil spirit, where of mention is made, verse14,15.] was upon Saul, then David took the harp, and he played with his hand: that was a refreshing unto Saul, and it was better with him, and the evil spirit departed from him.[i.e. Those terrours and troubles of the evil spirits ceased, when David played. God by his providence so ruled and ordered this matter, that God might be advanced in the Kings Court, so to open the door, and to prepare the way for him to the Kingdome, whereunto he had chosen, and already anointed him.]