1 Samuel 16:13
So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.
So Samuel took the horn of oil
In ancient Israel, anointing with oil was a significant ritual symbolizing consecration and the setting apart of an individual for a divine purpose. The use of a horn, often from a ram, signifies strength and authority. This act of anointing is a precursor to David's future role as king, aligning with the tradition of anointing leaders, priests, and prophets (Exodus 30:30).

and anointed him in the presence of his brothers
David's anointing in front of his brothers highlights the theme of God's choice versus human expectations. Despite being the youngest and seemingly least likely candidate, David is chosen by God, echoing the biblical motif of God elevating the humble (1 Samuel 16:7). This public anointing foreshadows David's future leadership and establishes his divine selection.

and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward
The Spirit of the LORD coming upon David signifies divine empowerment for his future role as king. This is a transformative moment, marking the beginning of David's journey under God's guidance. The Spirit's presence is a recurring theme in the Old Testament, seen in figures like Samson (Judges 14:6) and Saul (1 Samuel 10:10), but with David, it signifies a lasting anointing that prefigures the New Testament outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4).

Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah
Samuel's return to Ramah, his hometown, signifies the completion of his mission. Ramah, located in the territory of Benjamin, served as a base for Samuel's prophetic ministry. This departure underscores Samuel's obedience to God's directive and the transition of leadership from Saul to David, setting the stage for the unfolding narrative of David's rise to kingship.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Samuel
A prophet and judge of Israel, Samuel is tasked by God to anoint the next king of Israel. He is obedient to God's direction, even when it means going against the current king, Saul.

2. David
The youngest son of Jesse, David is chosen by God to be the future king of Israel. His anointing marks the beginning of his journey from shepherd to king.

3. Jesse
David's father, who presents his sons to Samuel. Jesse is from Bethlehem, a town that holds significant future importance in biblical prophecy.

4. The Horn of Oil
A symbol of consecration and the Holy Spirit's empowerment. Anointing with oil signifies God's choice and blessing.

5. Ramah
The place where Samuel resides. After anointing David, Samuel returns to Ramah, indicating the completion of his mission.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereign Choice
God's selection of David, the youngest and seemingly least likely candidate, reminds us that God sees beyond outward appearances and chooses based on the heart.

Empowerment by the Spirit
The rushing of the Spirit upon David signifies the empowerment needed for God's work. We, too, need the Holy Spirit's power to fulfill our God-given purposes.

Obedience to God's Call
Samuel's obedience in anointing David, despite the potential danger from Saul, teaches us the importance of following God's direction, even when it is challenging.

Preparation for Future Roles
David's anointing was the beginning of his preparation for kingship. God often prepares us for future roles long before we step into them.

The Importance of Anointing
Anointing signifies being set apart for God's purpose. As Christians, we are anointed by the Holy Spirit to live out our calling.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does God's choice of David challenge our perceptions of leadership and qualifications?

2. In what ways can we seek the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives, as David experienced?

3. What can we learn from Samuel's obedience to God's instructions, even when they seem risky or counterintuitive?

4. How does David's anointing foreshadow the coming of Jesus, the Messiah, and what does this mean for us today?

5. Reflect on a time when you felt God was preparing you for a future role. How did that preparation impact your faith journey?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Samuel 10:1
This verse describes the anointing of Saul as king, providing a contrast between Saul's and David's anointing and the outcomes of their reigns.

Psalm 23
Written by David, this psalm reflects his deep relationship with God, which began with the anointing and the Spirit's presence in his life.

Acts 13:22
This verse refers to David as a man after God's own heart, highlighting the significance of his anointing and God's favor upon him.

Isaiah 11:1-2
Prophecies about the Messiah, who would come from the line of David, showing the long-term significance of David's anointing.
From that Day ForwardF. B. Meyer, B. A.1 Samuel 16:13
Man-BuildingJ. Clifford, D. D.1 Samuel 16:13
The Secular Gifts of the Holy GhostR. Butterworth.1 Samuel 16:13
David's ReignD. Fraser 1 Samuel 16:1-23
David Chosen and AnointedB. Dale 1 Samuel 16:4-13
Samuel's Visit to BethlehemR. Steel.1 Samuel 16:4-18
How God's Election WorksJohn McNeill.1 Samuel 16:10-13
The Chosen OneD. Fraser 1 Samuel 16:12, 13
People
Abinadab, David, Eliab, Jesse, Samuel, Saul, Shammah
Places
Bethlehem, Gibeah, Ramah
Topics
Anointed, Anointeth, Bottle, Brethren, Brothers, David, Forward, Horn, Midst, Mightily, Oil, Onwards, Power, Presence, Prosper, Ramah, Ramath, Riseth, Rose, Samuel, Spirit, Taketh
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Samuel 16:13

     1670   symbols
     2206   Jesus, the Christ
     3030   Holy Spirit, power
     3110   Holy Spirit, titles of
     4488   oil
     4654   horn
     5370   kingship, human
     5457   power, human
     7328   ceremonies
     7773   prophets, role

1 Samuel 16:1-13

     5086   David, rise of
     5366   king
     6622   choice
     7735   leaders, political

1 Samuel 16:6-13

     5661   brothers

1 Samuel 16:7-13

     8319   perception, spiritual

1 Samuel 16:11-13

     5887   inexperience

1 Samuel 16:12-13

     2230   Messiah, coming of
     7304   anointing

1 Samuel 16:13-14

     3015   Holy Spirit, divinity
     3272   Holy Spirit, in OT
     7967   spiritual gifts, responsibility

Library
The Shepherd-King
'And the Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt them 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 Beth-lehemite: for I have provided Me a king among his sons. 2. And Samuel said, How can I go? If Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the Lord said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the Lord. 3. And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Call of David.
"So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone."--1 Samuel xvii. 50. These words, which are taken from the chapter which you heard read just now in the course of the Service[1], declare the victory which David, the man after God's own heart, gained over Goliath, who came out of the army of the Philistines to defy the Living God; and they declare the manner of his gaining it. He gained it with a sling and with a stone; that is, by means, which to man might seem weak and
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII

Of the Joy of a Good Conscience
The testimony of a good conscience is the glory of a good man. Have a good conscience and thou shalt ever have joy. A good conscience is able to bear exceeding much, and is exceeding joyful in the midst of adversities; an evil conscience is ever fearful and unquiet. Thou shalt rest sweetly if thy heart condemn thee not. Never rejoice unless when thou hast done well. The wicked have never true joy, nor feel internal peace, for there is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.(1) And if they say
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

Early Days
The life of David is naturally divided into epochs, of which we may avail ourselves for the more ready arrangement of our material. These are--his early years up to his escape from the court of Saul, his exile, the prosperous beginning of his reign, his sin and penitence, his flight before Absalom's rebellion, and the darkened end. We have but faint incidental traces of his life up to his anointing by Samuel, with which the narrative in the historical books opens. But perhaps the fact that the story
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David

And He had Also this Favour Granted Him. ...
66. And he had also this favour granted him. For as he was sitting alone on the mountain, if ever he was in perplexity in his meditations, this was revealed to him by Providence in prayer. And the happy man, as it is written, was taught of God [1112] . After this, when he once had a discussion with certain men who had come to him concerning the state of the soul and of what nature its place will be after this life, the following night one from above called him, saying, Antony, rise, go out and look.'
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius

The Sun Rising Upon a Dark World
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon then hath the light shined. C ontrasts are suited to illustrate and strengthen the impression of each other. The happiness of those, who by faith in MESSIAH, are brought into a state of peace, liberty, and comfort, is greatly enhanced and heightened by the consideration of that previous state of misery in which they once lived, and of the greater misery to which they were justly exposed.
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

The Christ Crowned, the Fact
"When God sought a King for His people of old, He went to the fields to find him; A shepherd was he, with his crook and his lute And a following flock behind him. "O love of the sheep, O joy of the lute, And the sling and the stone for battle; A shepherd was King, the giant was naught, And the enemy driven like cattle. "When God looked to tell of His good will to men, And the Shepherd-King's son whom He gave them; To shepherds, made meek a-caring for sheep, He told of a Christ sent to save them.
by S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on the Crowned Christ of Revelation

The Christian's Book
Scripture references 2 Timothy 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:20,21; John 5:39; Romans 15:4; 2 Samuel 23:2; Luke 1:70; 24:32,45; John 2:22; 10:35; 19:36; Acts 1:16; Romans 1:1,2; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; James 2:8. WHAT IS THE BIBLE? What is the Bible? How shall we regard it? Where shall we place it? These and many questions like them at once come to the front when we begin to discuss the Bible as a book. It is only possible in this brief study, of a great subject, to indicate the line of some of the answers.
Henry T. Sell—Studies in the Life of the Christian

Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate,
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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