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1 Samuel 16

KJ3 Literal Translation — Chapter 16 of 31

1 And Jehovah said to Samuel, Until when will you mourn for Saul, for I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I will send you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have seen a king for Me among his sons.

2 And Samuel said, How can I go? And if Saul hears, even he will kill me. And Jehovah said, Take a heifer from the herd in your hand, and you shall say, I have come to sacrifice to Jehovah.

3 And you call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will make you know what you shall do. And you shall anoint for Me whomever I say to you.

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Chapter Summary

Samuel sent to Bethlehem. His human judgment reproved. He anoints David. Saul sends for David to quiet his evil spirit.

Key Hebrew Words

מָשַׁח anoint H4886 · TWOT 1255
רוּחַ Spirit H7307 · TWOT 2131a
לֵבָב heart H3824 · TWOT 1071a
בָּחַר choose H977 · TWOT 231
מָאַס reject H3988 · TWOT 1139
כִּנּוֹר harp, lyre H3658 · TWOT 1004a

Cross-References

People & Context

Samuel

Prophet who mourns Saul and is sent to Bethlehem to anoint David as the future king

David

Jesse's youngest son, the ruddy shepherd anointed by Samuel; the Spirit of Jehovah rushes upon him

Saul

Rejected king from whom the Spirit departs; tormented by an evil spirit and soothed by David's harp

Jesse

Bethlehemite father of eight sons who hosts the sacrifice and sends David to Saul

Eliab

Jesse's eldest, impressive in stature, whom Samuel assumes is the anointed but Jehovah rejects

Abinadab

Son of Jesse passed before Samuel but not chosen by Jehovah

Timeline

Jehovah Sends Samuel to Bethlehem

Jehovah tells Samuel to stop mourning for Saul and sends him to Jesse of Bethlehem with a horn of oil to anoint a new king.

1 Samuel 16:1-3
Samuel Consecrates Jesse's Family

Samuel arrives in Bethlehem, causing the elders to tremble, and he consecrates Jesse and his sons for a sacrifice.

1 Samuel 16:4-5
Seven Sons Rejected

Jesse passes seven of his sons, including Eliab, Abinadab, and Shammah, before Samuel, but Jehovah indicates He has not chosen any of them, looking at the heart instead of the outward appearance.

1 Samuel 16:6-10

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