A. David’s Rise as the New Anointed 16:1-19:17According to Chuck Swindoll, more was written in the Bible about David than about any other character-66 chapters in the Old Testament plus 59 references to his life in the New Testament. [Note: Charles R. Swindoll, David: A Man of Passion and Destiny, p. 4.] This large amount of material reflects his great importance for Bible readers. read more
1. God’s selection of David for kingship ch. 16"One of the many indications that the two halves (1 Samuel 16:1-23) of chapter 16 are closely related is that each section is framed by an inclusio: ’Horn with/of oil’ is found in 1 Samuel 16:1; 1 Samuel 16:13, and the phrase ’Spirit . . . departed from’ constitutes the first words of 1 Samuel 16:14 and the last words of 1 Samuel 16:23 . . ." [Note: Youngblood, p. 682.] read more
David’s introduction to the royal court 16:14-23"In addition to being the middle chapter of 1 Samuel, chapter 16 is pivotal in another way as well: Its first half (1 Samuel 16:1-13), ending with a statement concerning David’s reception of the Spirit of God, describes David’s anointing as ruler of Israel to replace Saul; its second half (1 Samuel 16:14-23), beginning with a statement concerning Saul’s loss of the Spirit and its replacement with an ’evil spirit’ sent by God, describes David’s... read more
David is anointed King over IsraelFrom 1 Samuel 16 on, the interest centres in David rather than in Saul.1. Oil] probably consecrated oil for anointing. 2. If Saul hear it] Saul’s action, recorded in 1 Samuel 22:18-19, shows that Samuel’s fears were far from baseless. Say, I am come to sacrifice] Samuel was not asked to prevaricate. God relieved him of his difficulty by giving him a definite command. 4. Beth-lehem] originally Ephrath (Genesis 48:7), 5 m. S. of Jerusalem. Trembled] For Samuel... read more
A Young Man From the Country 1 Samuel 16:18 King Saul wished to engage a court minstrel. There is not a single historical personage before the Christian era of whom we know so much as we do of David. In our passage we meet with him as still but a young man; and there are five distinct things mentioned about him, which you may find it interesting and useful to consider. I. The Bible is emphatic in telling us that he was a remarkably good-looking young man. A splendid fellow, thoroughly manly... read more
III. DAVID, THE KING AFTER GOD’S HEART--His EXILE AND SUFFERING 1. David Anointed King and the Departure of the Spirit from Saul CHAPTER 16 1. David anointed king (1 Samuel 16:1-13 ) 2. The Spirit departs from Saul and David with Saul (1 Samuel 16:14-23 ) The king after the people’s heart has failed and is set aside, and now Jehovah brings forth His king after His own heart. That king like Jonathan, a man of faith, is devoted to Jehovah and in perfect subjection unto Him. Furthermore,... read more
16:14 But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an {e} evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.(e) The wicked spirits are at God’s commandment to execute his will against the wicked. read more
Samuel's mourning for Saul was deep and real; nevertheless it must not be too long protracted. The Lord stirs him up now to some positive action. God has chosen a king from among the sons of Jesse, a Bethlehemite, and Samuel is told to go to anoint him. The boldness of Samuel's faith wavers for the moment. He had been firm and decided in telling Saul that another would take his place as king yet now he is apprehensive that his anointing David will antagonize Saul to the point of killing... read more
DAVID BEFORE SAUL AS A MINSTREL (1 Samuel 16:14-23 ) When it is said that “the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul” (1 Samuel 16:14 ), we have a further illustration of the distinction between the Spirit coming on a man and the Spirit dwelling within him. In the latter case we do not think of His departing from him (John 14:16 ; Romans 11:29 ), but in the former He may do so for more than one reason, but especially when the man through disobedience has placed himself outside the pale... read more
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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 16:14
14-18. The Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord troubled him—His own gloomy reflections, the consciousness that he had not acted up to the character of an Israelitish king, the loss of his throne, and the extinction of his royal house, made him jealous, irritable, vindictive, and subject to fits of morbid melancholy. read more