 Previous Chapter |
 Return to Outline |
 Ask Questions |
 Next Chapter |
Chapter 16 begins the story of David. Here God instructs Samuel to anoint a new King of Israel. He tells Samuel to go to Bethlehem and take some olive oil with him and find a man named Jesse for He had chosen one of Jesse' sons to be the next king of Israel.
Now, who was Jesse? He was the 10th. Generation of Judah, the fourth son of Jacob. His grandfather was Boaz, his grandmother was Ruth. His father was Obed the son of Boaz and Ruth. He was of the Tribe of Judah and of the linage of Christ (See Luke Ch. 4:32)
Samuel lived at Ramah about 7 miles east of Jerusalem and Bethlehem was about 7 miles south of Jerusalem so Samuel had about 14 miles to go but this wasn't the reason that Samuel hesitated, he was afraid that Saul would find out what he was going to do and kill him, but the Lord told him to go and take a sacrifice with him and invite Jesse to the service.
Notice Samuel's reputation followed him wherever he went. When he arrived at Bethlehem the Elders of the city came "trembling" to him and wanted to know why he was there. Since Samuel usually brought God's judgment their conscience started bothering them and they wanted to know what they had done. But also they knew that Samuel was not in Saul's good graces at that time and they were afraid that his presence there would bring the wrath of Saul upon them but when Samuel describes his visit as a opportunity to make a sacrifice unto the Lord, they accept him and his invitation to "purify" themselves.
At the sacrifice Samuel performs purification rites on Jesse and his 7 sons. One by one the 7 boys walk pass Samuel and when Samuel saw Eliab he thought surly this must be the one God had chosen, but he was wrong. Samuel was using the guide lines that the Lord had used in the choosing of Saul but this time the Lord said to Samuel, "Don't judge a man by his face or build but rather by his thoughts and intentions." So one by one all 7 of the boys were turned down by the Lord.
By now, Samuel was at a loss so he asked Jesse if he had any other sons. Jesse said that he did have a younger son who was out in the fields tending the sheep. Samuel asked Jesse to send for him and while they waited, they ate. When David arrived, immediately the Lord said, "This is the one, anoint him." Samuel anointed David and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David and gave him great power from that day forward.
Notice how David was described: He was a fine looking boy with a "ruddy" face and pleasant eyes.
After anointing David, Samuel returned to Ramah. Now the Spirit of the Lord had left Saul and gave him instead a "tormenting" spirit. His servants suggested to him that music might soothe his tormenting spirit, so they prescribed a good harpist. Now one of Saul's Aids knew of a boy in Bethlehem who was a good harpist. He was the son of Jesse, handsome, brave, strong, good solid judgment and what's more, the Lord was with him.
So Saul sent servants to Jesse asking for David to come and play for him. Jesse sent David as well as gifts of a goat and a donkey carrying food and wine. From the instant that Saul saw David, he loved and admired him. Then Saul got permission from Jesse and David became a permanent part of his household. Whenever the "tormenting spirit" bothered Saul, David would play and the spirit would go away.
Previous Chapter |
Return to Outline |
Ask Questions |
Next Chapter |