1 Samuel 16

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 16

At this chapter begins the story of David, one that makes as great a figure in the sacred story as almost any of the worthies of the Old Testament, one that both with his sword and with his pen served the honour of God and the interests of Israel as much as most ever did, and was as illustrious a type of Christ. Here I. Samuel is appointed and commissioned to anoint a king among the sons of Jesse at Bethlehem, 1 Sam. 16:1-5. II. All his elder sons are passed by and David the youngest is... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:1-5

Samuel had retired to his own house in Ramah, with a resolution not to appear any more in public business, but to addict himself wholly to the instructing and training up of the sons of the prophets, over whom he presided, as we find, 1 Sam. 19:20. He promised himself more satisfaction in young prophets than in young princes; and we do not find that, to his dying day, God called him out to any public action relating to the state, but only here to anoint David. I. God reproves him for... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:6-13

If the sons of Jesse were told that God would provide himself a king among them (as he had said, 1 Sam. 16:1), we may well suppose they all made the best appearance they could, and each hoped he should be the man; but here we are told, I. How all the elder sons, who stood fairest for the preferment, were passed by. 1. Eliab, the eldest, was privately presented first to Samuel, probably none being present but Jesse only, and Samuel thought he must needs be the man: Surely this is the Lord's... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:14-23

We have here Saul falling and David rising. I. Here is Saul made a terror to himself (1 Sam. 16:14): The Spirit of the Lord departed from him. He having forsaken God and his duty, God, in a way of righteous judgment, withdrew from him those assistances of the good Spirit with which he was directed, animated, and encouraged in his government and wars. He lost all his good qualities. This was the effect of his rejecting God, and an evidence of his being rejected by him. Now God took his mercy... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 16

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 16 In this chapter Samuel is ordered to anoint a king among the sons of Jesse of Bethlehem, 1 Samuel 16:1 all whose sons were made to pass before him, excepting David, 1 Samuel 16:6 who being then with his father's sheep, was sent for and was anointed, 1 Samuel 16:11 , after which the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and he became melancholy, and it was advised to seek out a musician for him, and David was mentioned to him as a proper person, 1... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:1

And the Lord said unto Samuel ,.... In a vision or dream, or by an articulate voice: how long wilt thou mourn for Saul? he does not blame him for mourning, but for mourning so long; but how long that was cannot be said; and though his affection for him might cause him to indulge to it, yet it was in vain, seeing the sentence was irreversible: seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel ? that is, his posterity; for he himself reigned as long as he lived, though in a very... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:2

And Samuel said, how can I go ?.... Which argues weakness of faith in Samuel, and fear of man, and a diffidence in and distrust of divine power; for otherwise he that sent him on such an errand could protect him: if Saul hear it, he will kill me ; should hear that Samuel went and anointed another king, it would so enrage him, that he would either immediately lay hands on him, and put him to death, or order him to be put to death; and indeed were it not that this was done by the command... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:3

And call Jesse to the sacrifice ,.... His family, both him and his sons, to partake of the peace offerings; as every offerer had a right to invite his friends, and whomsoever he pleased, to eat of those parts of them which belonged to him, as a feast before the Lord: and I will show thee what thou shall do ; when Jesse and his family were with him: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee ; that is, anoint him to be king over Israel, whom he should point out so plainly... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:4

And Samuel did that which the Lord spake ,.... He filled a horn of oil, and took an heifer with him: and came to Bethlehem ; where Jesse and his family lived, which, according to Bunting F25 Travels of the Patriarchs, &c.; p. 125. , was sixteen miles from Ramah; though it could hardly be so much, since Ramah was six miles from Jerusalem on one side, as Bethlehem lay six miles from it on the other F26 Vid. Hieron. de loc. Heb. fol. 89. F. & 94. B. : and the elders... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:5

And he said, peaceably I am come to sacrifice unto the Lord ,.... Which he could say with truth, it being one end of his coming, though not the only one for which he came, and which he was not obliged to tell: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice ; prepare themselves for it, which was done by washing their garments, &c.; and then attend with him, and assist him in the sacrifice: and he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice ; he ordered... read more

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