David Chosen to be King I Samuel 16

I Samuel 16:1 "And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse, the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons."

This chapter does not actually put David on the throne of Israel but it is the anointing of David by Samuel to be king. There is a lot of action between this chapter and when David actually becomes king.

Samuel is afraid Saul will kill him v2 if he goes to anoint a new king which is understandable considering Saul's state of mind. He has grown use to the power, even though the LORD has rejected him, he will not give up the throne easily.

v11 "And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither."

Seven of Jesse's sons had passed before Samuel, all were rejected. The sons were men of war and perhaps it was thought that they would make a good king, but the LORD choose a shepherd to lead Israel.

v12 "And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he."

Being a shepherd was not a laid back profession. There were lions and bears which saw the sheep as a feast. It was David's job to protect the sheep which he did at the peril of his own life. He will tell Saul some of his adventures later.

v14 "But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him."

Saul was not a happy king. He had fits of anger and depression. David also played an instrument which Saul's men thought would sooth Saul's spirit. We also get a further description of David from this verse.

v18 "Then answered one of the servants,and said, Behold I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a might valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him."

Wow! That is some resume. David, already, has a reputation. Not bad for a shepherd.

So Saul sent for David and he played for Saul, quieting his spirit for a time. David also became Saul's armourbearer. v21

v23 "And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him."

We are embarking on the story of David. It is a very important part of the Bible. The Psalms came from this man. Solomon with all his wisdom was his son. Christ is descended from him after the flesh. He was a man after God's own heart. I believe we find that it is David's throne that Christ will someday sit upon.

Psalm 34:1 "I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth."

Keywords: Bible Study, Old Testament, Israel, Samuel, Saul, David, Jonathan, Milton Southerland