God’s plans continue, Do You Come in Peace Even when human leaders fail. As Saul’s reign declined through disobedience, the Lord quietly prepared David, a shepherd after His own heart. While people judged by outward appearance, God chose differently. This chapter reminds us that God sees the heart, raises humble servants, and faithfully advances His redemption plan through Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd.
Obedience • Mercy • Choices • God’s Commands • Faith • Humility • David • Anointing • Redemption Plan • Jesus Christ
📖 1 Samuel 16:1–2 (NIV)
“16 The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”
“2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.”
The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’
📖 1 Samuel 16:3–5 (NIV)
“3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.”
“4 Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?”
“5 Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
Samuel continued mourning over Saul, but the Lord reminded him that His purposes would move forward.
God instructed Samuel to travel to Bethlehem and visit Jesse’s family because He had already chosen Israel’s next king.
When Samuel arrived, the elders trembled and asked,
“Do you come in peace?”
Samuel answered with peace and invited Jesse and his sons to the sacrifice.
While Israel still looked to Saul, God was already preparing the future.
God’s plans are never delayed by human failure.
📖 1 Samuel 16:6–11 (NIV)
6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.”
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”
“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”
Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”
As Jesse’s sons passed before Samuel, Eliab appeared to be the obvious choice.
Tall.
Strong.
Impressive.
But the Lord corrected Samuel:
“People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
One after another, each brother passed before Samuel.
None were chosen.
Finally, Jesse called for his youngest son, David, who was tending the sheep.
When David arrived, the Lord declared,
“Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”
Samuel poured the oil upon David’s head, and from that day forward the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon him.
God often chooses those the world overlooks.
📖 1 Samuel 16:12–13 (NIV)
“12 So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.
Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”
“13 So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David. Samuel then went to Ramah.
This chapter presents a striking contrast.
The Spirit of the Lord came upon David.
The Spirit departed from Saul.
Saul’s continual rejection of God’s commands had lasting consequences.
An evil spirit tormented him, bringing fear, unrest, and emotional suffering.
His servants searched for someone whose music could bring peace to the troubled king.
Even during Saul’s decline, God was quietly positioning David for His greater purpose.
📖 1 Samuel 16:14–19 (NIV)
“14 Now the Spirit of the Lord had departed from Saul, and an evil[a] spirit from the Lord tormented him.”
“15 Saul’s attendants said to him, “See, an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. 16 Let our lord command his servants here to search for someone who can play the lyre. He will play when the evil spirit from God comes on you, and you will feel better.”
“17 So Saul said to his attendants, “Find someone who plays well and bring him to me.”
“18 One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with him.”
“19 Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.”
One servant recommended David.
His description went far beyond musical talent.
David was known as:
A skilled musician.
A brave warrior.
A wise speaker.
A man of good character.
Most importantly,
“The Lord is with him.”
Saul welcomed David into his service.
The shepherd entered the palace long before he would ever wear the crown.
God often prepares His servants through ordinary opportunities before entrusting them with greater responsibilities.
📖 1 Samuel 16:20–23 (NIV)
“20 So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine and a young goat and sent them with his son David to Saul.”
“21 David came to Saul and entered his service. Saul liked him very much, and David became one of his armor-bearers. 22 Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, “Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him.”
“23 Whenever the spirit from God came on Saul, David would take up his lyre and play. Then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him.”
Whenever Saul became tormented, David played his lyre.
Relief came.
The evil spirit departed.
David became an instrument of God’s mercy, bringing peace to the very king he would one day succeed.
Even before becoming king, David was serving others with the gifts God had given him.
His ministry pointed forward to another Shepherd who would bring lasting peace.
God’s covenant never depended upon Saul’s success or failure.
When one king rejected God’s Word, the Lord faithfully raised another who sought His heart.
Through David’s family line, God continued His eternal covenant that would ultimately bring forth Jesus Christ—the promised Son of David, the eternal King whose kingdom will never end.
God’s promises remain secure because they rest upon His faithfulness, not human perfection.
God sees the heart before He sees outward appearance.
Humility prepares us for God’s calling.
God’s plans continue despite human failure.
Faithful service often begins long before public leadership.
The gifts God gives should be used to bless others.
God’s presence brings peace where fear and darkness exist.
Jesus Christ is the perfect Shepherd and eternal King whom David foreshadowed.
David’s anointing points beyond the rise of Israel’s greatest earthly king to the coming of the true Anointed One—Jesus Christ. Like David, Jesus was born in Bethlehem, chosen by the Father, and came as the Good Shepherd to care for His people. Where David’s music brought temporary peace to Saul, Jesus brings eternal peace to every heart that trusts Him. Every story in Scripture advances God’s redemption plan, revealing His faithful promise fulfilled in Jesus Christ, our Savior and everlasting King.
