"How can I go?" Samuel asked. "Saul will hear of it and kill me!" The LORD answered, "Take a heifer with you and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.' How can I go?This phrase reflects Samuel's initial hesitation and fear. The Hebrew root for "go" is "halak," which often implies a journey or mission. Samuel, a prophet of God, is expressing a very human concern about the practicalities and dangers of his divine mission. This highlights the tension between divine command and human fear, a common theme in Scripture. Samuel's question is not one of doubt in God's power but rather a reflection of the real danger posed by Saul's potential reaction. Samuel asked
Samuel, whose name means "heard of God," is a pivotal figure in Israel's history. His role as a prophet, judge, and anointer of kings places him in a unique position of authority and responsibility. This moment of inquiry shows his reliance on God for guidance, emphasizing the importance of seeking divine wisdom in times of uncertainty. Samuel's relationship with God is characterized by open communication, a model for believers in maintaining a prayerful dialogue with the Lord. If Saul hears about it
Saul, the first king of Israel, is depicted as a tragic figure whose disobedience leads to his rejection by God. The phrase underscores the political tension and instability of the time. Saul's paranoia and volatile nature are well-documented in the biblical narrative, making Samuel's concern legitimate. Historically, this reflects the dangerous dynamics of ancient Near Eastern monarchies, where power struggles often led to violence and betrayal. he will kill me
The fear of death is a powerful motivator, and Samuel's concern is not unfounded. The Hebrew word for "kill" is "harag," which conveys the idea of a violent, intentional act. This highlights the severity of Saul's potential response and the real threat to Samuel's life. In a broader theological context, this phrase illustrates the cost of obedience to God's will. It serves as a reminder that following God's commands may lead to personal risk, yet it is through such trials that faith is tested and refined. Persons / Places / Events 1. SamuelA prophet and judge of Israel, Samuel is tasked by God to anoint a new king, which puts him in a precarious position with the current king, Saul. 2. SaulThe first king of Israel, whose disobedience to God has led to his rejection as king. His potential reaction to Samuel's mission is a source of fear for Samuel. 3. The LORDGod, who provides guidance and reassurance to Samuel, instructing him on how to proceed with his mission. 4. BethlehemThe town where Samuel is sent to anoint David, the future king of Israel. 5. HeiferAn animal used for sacrifice, which serves as a cover for Samuel's true mission to anoint David. Teaching Points Obedience to God Despite FearSamuel's fear of Saul is real, yet he chooses to obey God's command. This teaches us the importance of trusting God's plan even when it seems risky. God's Provision of WisdomGod provides Samuel with a strategy to safely carry out His will. This illustrates that God equips us with the wisdom needed to navigate difficult situations. The Role of SacrificeThe heifer represents a legitimate act of worship, reminding us that our actions should always align with genuine devotion to God. Courage in LeadershipSamuel's willingness to confront danger for the sake of God's command is a model of courageous leadership. God's Sovereignty in Leadership TransitionsThe anointing of David signifies God's control over leadership changes, encouraging us to trust His timing and decisions. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Samuel's fear of Saul reflect the challenges we face when obeying God's commands in difficult circumstances? 2. In what ways does God's instruction to Samuel demonstrate His wisdom and provision in our lives? 3. How can we apply the principle of being "wise as serpents and innocent as doves" in our daily interactions and decisions? 4. What does the use of a heifer for sacrifice teach us about the importance of genuine worship in our relationship with God? 5. How can we find courage to lead and make decisions when faced with fear or opposition, as Samuel did? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Samuel 15This chapter provides context for Saul's rejection as king due to his disobedience, setting the stage for Samuel's mission to anoint a new king. 1 Samuel 16:13This verse describes the anointing of David, fulfilling God's directive to Samuel and marking the beginning of David's journey to kingship. Matthew 10:16Jesus instructs His disciples to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves," which parallels God's guidance to Samuel to be prudent in his actions. People Abinadab, David, Eliab, Jesse, Samuel, Saul, ShammahPlaces Bethlehem, Gibeah, RamahTopics Cow, Death, Gets, Hast, Hears, Heifer, Herd, Kill, News, Offering, Possible, Sacrifice, Samuel, Saul, SlainDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 16:2 8726 doubters 1 Samuel 16:1-12 1020 God, all-knowing 1 Samuel 16:1-13 5086 David, rise of
5366 king
6622 choice
7735 leaders, political 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 ScriptureThe 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 Links 1 Samuel 16:2 NIV1 Samuel 16:2 NLT1 Samuel 16:2 ESV1 Samuel 16:2 NASB1 Samuel 16:2 KJV
1 Samuel 16:2 Commentaries
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