1 Samuel 16:2

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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Samuel 16:2

Take a heifer with thee , and say , I am come to sacrifice - This was strictly true; Samuel did offer a sacrifice; and it does not appear that he could have done the work which God designed, unless he had offered this sacrifice, and called the elders of the people together, and thus collected Jesse's sons. But he did not tell the principal design of his coming; had he done so, it would have produced evil and no good: and though no man, in any circumstances, should ever... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:1-5

The progression of Providence. The facts are— 1 . Samuel is aroused from his sorrow for Saul by a command from God to anoint a son of Jesse. 2 . Being in fear, be is directed to go and offer sacrifice and await further instructions. 3 . Arriving at Bethlehem, he quiets the trembling elders and makes preparation for the sacrifice. It was natural for Samuel in his retirement to cherish sorrow for Saul; and his brooding over disappointment would become more habitual as no active... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:2

And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. Saul was actually king, and the anointing of another in his stead would be regarded as an act of open treason, and the stirring up of civil war. This was not indeed intended. The anointing of David was a prophetic indication of the man whom God, in his own way and at his own time, would place upon Saul's throne, without either scheming or action thereto on the part either of Samuel or of David. Its value would chiefly lie in... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 16:2

It was the purpose of God that David should be anointed at this time as Saul’s successor, and as the ancestor and the type of His Christ. It was not the purpose of God that Samuel should stir up a civil war, by setting up David as Saul’s rival. Secrecy, therefore, was a necessary part of the transaction. But secrecy and concealment are not the same as duplicity and falsehood. Concealment of a good purpose, for a good purpose, is clearly justifiable. There is therefore nothing in the least... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 16:2

1 Samuel 16:2. How can I go? That is, with safety. Say, I am come to sacrifice to the Lord Which he, being a prophet, might do anywhere, all the ritual laws being subject to the prophets. What the Lord commanded him to say was a truth, though not the whole truth. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:1-23

16:1-19:24 THE RISE OF DAVIDDavid brought to the royal court (16:1-23)When told by God to go and anoint a king to replace Saul, Samuel feared to, lest Saul kill him. God therefore told Samuel to keep the matter secret (16:1-3). Reassured by this additional word from God, Samuel went to Bethlehem, where he met the leading men of the important families in that area (4-5).The outcome of Samuel’s visit was that he anointed David, youngest son of the family of Jesse. Anointing was a way of marking... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Samuel 16:2

with thee = in thine hand. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Samuel 16:2

1 Samuel 16:2. And Samuel said, How can I go, &c.— Though the principal design of Samuel's journey to Bethlehem was, to anoint the son of Jesse; yet was there no falsehood in saying, according to the instruction given him by the Lord, that he came to sacrifice. God, who is truth itself, can never enjoin a lie. As to Samuel's pretending a sacrifice, says Dr. Waterland, it was a just pretence, and a true one: for he did offer sacrifice, as God had commanded him (1 Samuel 16:5.). And what if... read more

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