Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary1 Samuel 16

Samuel Goes to BethlehemThis section describes how God sends Samuel on a new mission after Saul’s rejection. Samuel is told to anoint a new king from the family of Jesse in Bethlehem. Even though Samuel is sad about Saul, God reminds him to move forward and trust His plan. God’s choice for the next king will be very different from Saul, showing that God looks at the heart, not just outward appearances.v. 1: God tells Samuel to stop mourning for Saul, since He has already decided to choose a new king. Samuel is to fill his horn with oil and go to Bethlehem to anoint one of Jesse’s sons. God assures Samuel that He has provided a new king—a man after His own heart (1 Samuel 16:1; 1 Samuel 16:1 ). Samuel is reminded that God’s plans for Israel will continue, even if Saul has failed.

v. 2: Samuel worries that Saul will kill him if he hears about this mission. This shows how much Saul has changed for the worse. Samuel’s fear also shows that even strong believers sometimes have worries. God tells Samuel to take a heifer for a sacrifice as a way to cover his true purpose, which is to anoint the new king (1 Samuel 16:2; 1 Samuel 16:2 ).

v. 3: God instructs Samuel to invite Jesse to the sacrifice. God promises to show Samuel which son to anoint as king. Samuel must listen closely to God’s directions, step by step (1 Samuel 16:3; 1 Samuel 16:3 ).

v. 4: Samuel obeys and goes to Bethlehem. The elders of the city are afraid when they see him, perhaps worried he brings a message of judgment or that Saul will be angry with them for welcoming Samuel. They ask if he comes in peace (1 Samuel 16:4; 1 Samuel 16:4 ).

v. 5: Samuel explains that he comes peaceably to offer a sacrifice. He invites the elders, Jesse, and Jesse’s family to join in the sacrifice and tells them to sanctify themselves—that is, to prepare spiritually for this special event. This teaches that before taking part in holy things, people should dedicate themselves to God (1 Samuel 16:5; 1 Samuel 16:5 ).

David Anointed by SamuelIn this section, God shows that He chooses people differently than humans do. When Samuel goes to the house of Jesse to anoint the next king, everyone expects the oldest and strongest sons to be chosen. But God looks beyond outward appearance and chooses David, the youngest son, because of his heart.v. 6-7: Samuel pays special attention to Jesse and his sons, knowing that God’s new king will come from this family. Jesse’s oldest son, Eliab, is brought before Samuel. Samuel thinks Eliab must be the one God has chosen because he looks impressive. But God tells Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or his height, because I have rejected him. The Lord

v. 8-10: Jesse brings his other sons—Abinadab, Shammah, and four more—before Samuel. One by one, each is rejected. Even though people usually give the best honors to the oldest, God makes it clear that His choice is different. God’s wisdom is not the same as human tradition (1 Samuel 16:8,10; 1 Samuel 16:8,10 ).

v. 11: Samuel asks if there are any more sons. Jesse says the youngest, David, is out in the fields caring for sheep. David is not considered important by his family, but God has chosen him. This shows that God often lifts up those who are overlooked by people (1 Samuel 16:11; 1 Samuel 16:11 ; Psalm 78:71; Psalm 78:71 ).

v. 12: When David is brought in, he looks healthy, with a good complexion and kind eyes. He does not look like a king, but God tells Samuel, “This is he; anoint him.” Samuel obeys and anoints David with oil, marking him as the future king (1 Samuel 16:12; 1 Samuel 16:12 ).

v. 13: After being anointed, the Spirit of the Lord

Saul Troubled by an Evil SpiritThis section contrasts the downfall of Saul with the rise of David. While God's Spirit departs from Saul, leading to his decline, David is anointed as the future king and begins to ascend. The passage highlights how our choices and relationship with God can have a profound impact on our lives.v. 14: The Scripture says that the Spirit of the Lord

v. 15-16: Saul's servants recognize that his troubles are caused by an evil spirit from God. They suggest using music to soothe Saul's troubled mind. While this may have provided temporary relief, it did not address the root spiritual problem. True repentance and seeking God's help would have been the wiser course (1 Samuel 16:15-16; 1 Samuel 16:15-16 ).

v. 18: One of Saul's servants recommends David as a skilled musician who can play for Saul. The servant praises David, noting that he is a mighty and prudent man, and that the Lord

v. 20-22: Jesse sends David to Saul with a gift. Saul takes a liking to David and makes him his armor-bearer. Saul's affection for David is ironic, since David has already been anointed as the future king. But God is using this situation to bring David into Saul's service, where he can learn and prepare for the role God has for him (1 Samuel 16:20-22; 1 Samuel 16:20-22 ).

v. 23: David's music has a calming effect on Saul, providing relief from the evil spirit that troubles him. Music can have a positive impact on the mind and emotions, but it cannot solve spiritual problems. Only a right relationship with God can truly heal the human soul (1 Samuel 16:23; 1 Samuel 16:23 , 2 Kings 3:15; 2 Kings 3:15 ).