David Anointed

Samuel Goes to Bethlehem (1-5)

Samuel sat at home grieving over his anointing Saul until Yahweh stirred Samuel to cease his sorrows over Saul's rejection and get up and go do something. The something Yahweh called Samuel to do was arise, fill his horn with oil, and go to Bethlehem to the house of Jesse, where he would find the next king of Israel (1).

Samuel’s first response was fear that Saul would kill him for anointing another king, which could lead to civil war.

Samuel was instructed by Yahweh to take a heifer to sacrifice as one of his purposes in going to Bethlehem. It was indeed a truth they would tell anyone who asked, but obviously not the whole truth (2).

Samuel was to invite Jesse and his family to the sacrifice and then to a private dinner at Jesse’s home. Sometime during this sequence of events, Yahweh would show Samuel whom he should anoint to someday be king. 

On cue, Samuel did as he had done his whole life—he did exactly what Yahweh had directed.

When Samuel arrived at Bethlehem, the elders met him with a great deal of concern. No doubt, an unannounced prophet would possibly have come to rebuke and correct. With there being a conflict between Saul and Samuel, they could have been imagining the worst (3-4).

Samuel invited the elders and the city to consecrate themselves and then to come to the sacrifice and worship with him. The people took baths, changed their clothes, and came to the sacrifice (5).

Samuel Assesses David’s Family (6-12)

It is most likely after the sacrifice that Samuel retired to the home of Jesse for a meal and fellowship. While at Jesse’s home and before the meal, because Samuel was eager to fulfill his real mission, Samuel began studying Jesse’s firstborn son. When he looked at Eliab, Samuel assumed he was indeed the anointed (6). He must have been big and good-looking, and, of course, he was the firstborn.

Samuel was quickly rebuked by Yahweh, however, and was told not to evaluate by appearance, height, or stature, for Yahweh had rejected the idea of Jesse’s firstborn being king.

Yahweh went on with his lesson for Samuel: man sees from the outside in, wanting the outside to be right before accepting the inside. Yahweh is the opposite: He looks for the inside to be right without regard to outward appearance (7).

Jesse must have known Samuel had come to anoint one of his sons because after the eldest was not chosen, he then presented each son in a formal order before Samuel.

Second was Abinadab, but the Lord had not chosen him; next, Shammah; then the rest of his seven sons, but Yahweh had not chosen any of them (8-10).

Samuel began to inquire whether Jesse had yet another son when he discovered the youngest, an eighth son, who was keeping sheep.

There has been much speculation as to why David was the one keeping the sheep and not a hired servant. Why was he not invited to worship or to the meal when Samuel, a prophet and honored family guest, was present? Some have speculated that David may have had a different mother from the other seven so may not have been considered for anointing nor treated like a full member of Jesse’s family. This speculation has good potential. At any rate, Jesse sent for David—Samuel not allowing dinner to be served until David arrived (11).

When David came in from the field, he was brought in to stand before Samuel. Samuel recognized, to his surprise, that David's eyes were beautiful, his face handsome, and his hair shining with a touch of red. After looking at the boy, Samuel did not imagine his looks to be qualification for anointing, but Samuel rather waited for Yahweh to speak. Then it came: Samuel was directed to arise and anoint (12).

David Anointed (13)

With all of David’s brothers looking on at the one they least expected to be chosen, Samuel anointed David. At that very moment, the Spirit of Yahweh rushed on David, just like He had on other leaders (Samson, Samuel, Saul), and remained with him from that day forward. Samuel then returned home (13).

Saul Diminishes into the Demonic Abyss (14-18)

As the Spirit rushed on David, and Samuel went back to his home, at the same time, the Holy Spirit departed from Saul. Not only did the Spirit depart from Saul, but, to fill the vacuum, a harmful, tormenting spirit was sent (14). By tormenting spirit, we know Saul’s mind was permitted to be vexed with terror and paranoia; his psychological state turned depressive and he became delusional.

So vexed with paranoia and depression was he that Saul’s servants grew concerned. One of his servants counseled Saul to search for a skillful musician who could play the lyre, and when the evil spirit from Yahweh began to torment him, the musician’s playing could hopefully help his mind return to good health (15-16).

Saul agreed and asked for a person especially skilled (17). One of the young men who served as a special attendant to Saul had somehow heard David play and knew him to be an excellent musician. Maybe the servant had been conscripted into Saul’s service as he was collecting men from all over Israel. He was so well acquainted with David that he also knew him to be a person of courage and a man of war. It is likely that the servant had heard the telling of David having defeated a bear and lion. The servant also knew David to be well-spoken and a person of impressive presence. It’s hard to think this servant was not from Bethlehem.

Finally, the young man recognized the Lord was with David (18).

Saul Calls David into Service (19-23)

Saul immediately sent and had David conscripted into his service on demand. He told Jesse to bring his son in from tending sheep and send him at once (19). Jesse had no choice, so he sent David loaded with gifts (20).

David came and began immediately serving Saul, and Saul favored and honored David, giving him the honorary rank of armor-bearer, even though he was not yet old enough for battle, nor would he likely go with Saul into military campaigns (21).

Eventually, David was conscripted into Saul’s service full-time, likely after his victory over Goliath (22).

David was so skilled at playing the harp that whenever the evil spirit descended upon Saul and David would play, Saul would be refreshed and returned to good health. The harmful spirit would depart and wait for a better time to come and oppress Saul (23).