📖 1 Samuel — Chapter 16 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
1 Samuel 16:1 And the LORD said unto Samuel, RHow 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.
1 Samuel 16:2 And Samuel said, RHow can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer Twith thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD.
1 Samuel 16:3 And Rcall Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee.
1 Samuel 16:4 And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town Rtrembled at his Tcoming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?
1 Samuel 16:5 And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: Rsanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.
1 Samuel 16:6 And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on RTEliab, and said, Surely the LORD’s anointed is before him.
1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, RLook not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the Toutward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
1 Samuel 16:8 Then Jesse called RAbinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.
1 Samuel 16:9 Then Jesse made RTShammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.
1 Samuel 16:10 Again, Jesse made Rseven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these.
1 Samuel 16:11 And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, RThere remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit Tdown till he come hither.
1 Samuel 16:12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was Rruddy, and withal Tof a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.
1 Samuel 16:13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and Ranointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.
1 Samuel 16:14 But Rthe Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD Ttroubled him.
1 Samuel 16:15 And Saul’s servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.
1 Samuel 16:16 Let our lord now command thy servants, which are Rbefore thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well.
1 Samuel 16:17 And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.
1 Samuel 16:18 Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and Ra mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in Tmatters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him.
1 Samuel 16:19 Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is Rwith the sheep.
1 Samuel 16:20 And Jesse took Ran ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul.
1 Samuel 16:21 And David came to Saul, and Rstood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer.
1 Samuel 16:22 And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight.
1 Samuel 16:23 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 was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Samuel 16:1–7 — Samuel is sent to Jesse
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The LORD directs Samuel beyond his mourning for Saul to Jesse's household in Bethlehem. Samuel initially expects Eliab to be the chosen one, but the LORD corrects his focus on appearance. God sees the heart in a way people do not.
Key Truth: Visible stature is not a reliable measure of God's choice.
Check What You Remember
1. To whose household was Samuel sent? (1 Samuel 16:1)
Find it in 1 Samuel 16:1 (KJV).
2. In which town did Jesse live? (1 Samuel 16:4)
Find it in 1 Samuel 16:4 (KJV).
3. What does the LORD look on? (1 Samuel 16:7)
Find it in 1 Samuel 16:7 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Samuel 16:8–13 — David is brought and anointed
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Jesse's sons pass before Samuel, but the youngest is still keeping sheep. David is brought in and anointed at the LORD's direction, and the Spirit comes upon him from that day. His selection follows God's word rather than Samuel's first impression.
Key Truth: The overlooked son is the one the LORD names for anointing.
Check What You Remember
1. What was the youngest son doing? (1 Samuel 16:11)
Find it in 1 Samuel 16:11 (KJV).
2. Who was anointed? (1 Samuel 16:13)
Find it in 1 Samuel 16:13 (KJV).
3. Who came upon David from that day? (1 Samuel 16:13)
Find it in 1 Samuel 16:13 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Samuel 16:14–23 — David serves in Saul's household
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
The Spirit departs from Saul, who is troubled by an evil spirit from the LORD. A servant recommends David as a skilled player, and he becomes Saul's armourbearer. His harp brings Saul relief. The chapter reports Saul's particular experience and should not be used to diagnose ordinary illness in readers.
Key Truth: David's entry into royal service follows his anointing in an unexpected role.
Check What You Remember
1. Which instrument did David play? (1 Samuel 16:23)
Find it in 1 Samuel 16:23 (KJV).
2. Whose son did Saul request? (1 Samuel 16:19)
Find it in 1 Samuel 16:19 (KJV).
3. What role did David take beside Saul? (1 Samuel 16:21)
Find it in 1 Samuel 16:21 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
1 Samuel 9:2 — Saul's impressive appearance provides a contrast with the LORD's correction of Samuel's expectations.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
How does verse 7 guide your reading of the sons presented to Samuel? What does it challenge in human judgments?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. What does the LORD’s instruction show about Samuel’s mourning?
2. How does the LORD correct Samuel’s first impression of Eliab?
3. Why is the gathering delayed until David comes?
4. What contrast appears between David and Saul after the anointing?
5. How does David’s music affect Saul in the chapter?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
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