1 Samuel 16:1
1 Samuel 16:1-13. The choice of Saul's successor 1. _Jesse the Beth-lehemite_ Grandson of Ruth the Moabitess, and belonging to the tribe of Judah through the line of his male ancestors (Ruth 4:18-22).... [ Continue Reading ]
1 Samuel 16:1-13. The choice of Saul's successor 1. _Jesse the Beth-lehemite_ Grandson of Ruth the Moabitess, and belonging to the tribe of Judah through the line of his male ancestors (Ruth 4:18-22).... [ Continue Reading ]
_Take an heifer with thee_, &c. For David's safety no less than his own it was necessary that the purpose of Samuel's errand should not be known. "Concealment of a good purpose for a good purpose is clearly justifiable." It was perfectly legitimate for Samuel to conceal the primary intention and men... [ Continue Reading ]
_Beth-lehem_ Beth-lehem ("house of bread") was the later name of the ancient town of _Ephrath_(Genesis 48:7). It was situated about five miles south of Jerusalem, a short distance east of the road from Jerusalem to Hebron. As the scene of the fresh picture of domestic life contained in the book of R... [ Continue Reading ]
_sanctify yourselves_ By the usual ceremonial purifications, such as washing the body and clothes, the outward symbols of spiritual preparation. See Genesis 35:2; Exodus 19:10 ff. The Sept. adds, "and rejoice with me this day." _And he sanctified_, &c. In the case of Jesse's family Samuel super-int... [ Continue Reading ]
_and said_ Said _to himself_: thought. "Eliab by his height and his countenance seemed the natural counterpart of Saul, whose successor the Prophet came to select. But the day was gone when kings were chosen because they were head and shoulders taller than the rest." Stanley's _Lect_. II. 40. Eliab... [ Continue Reading ]
_for_[_the Lord seeth not as man seeth_ The words in brackets are rightly supplied in the Sept. For the thought see 1 Chronicles 28:9; Luke 16:15; Acts 1:24, &c. God first gave the people a king of stately stature and majestic appearance, such as they would have chosen for themselves (1 Samuel 10:24... [ Continue Reading ]
_Shammah_ Also called _Shimeah_(2 Samuel 13:3), or _Shimea_(1 Chronicles 20:7); _Shimma_in 1 Chronicles 2:13 should be written _Shimea_. Two of his sons are mentioned: Jonadab, celebrated for sagacity (2 Samuel 13:3): Jonathan, for courage (2 Samuel 21:21). 10 _Again, Jesse made_, &c. "So Jesse mad... [ Continue Reading ]
_we will not sit down_ We will not _sit round_the table for the sacrificial feast.... [ Continue Reading ]
_ruddy_ The word denotes the red hair and fair skin which are regarded as a mark of beauty in southern countries, where the hair and complexion are generally dark. _of a beautiful countenance_, &c. Lit. "beautiful-eyed and goodly in appearance." Compare the description of Joseph (Genesis 39:6), and... [ Continue Reading ]
_in the midst of his brethren_ This can only mean "in the presence of his brethren." As in the subsequent history they do not seem to have any idea of their brother's high destiny, the true significance of the act appears to have been concealed from them. Whether it was made clear even to Jesse and... [ Continue Reading ]
David's introduction to the Court of Saul 14. _But the spirit of the Lord departed from Saul_ Note the contrast to 1 Samuel 16:13. As David rose, Saul sank. _an evil spirit from the Lord_ The cause of Saul's mental disorder is described as "an evil spirit from Jehovah," or "of Jehovah" (1 Samuel 19... [ Continue Reading ]
_a cunning player_ "Cunning," from A.-S. _cunnan_, to know, _ken_, is generally used in the E. V. in its original sense of _knowing, skilful_, without any idea of underhand dealing. _thou shalt be well_ The power of music to restore the harmony of a troubled mind is well known. Kitto (_Bible Illust... [ Continue Reading ]
_one of the servants_ The word here used for "servants" literally means "young men" (Vulg. _pueri_), as it is rendered in 1 Samuel 14:1, and probably refers to military attendants: that used in 1 Samuel 16:15 literally means "slaves" (Vulg. _servi_), and includes the servants in general. _a mighty... [ Continue Reading ]
_And Jesse took_, &c. Cp. 1 Samuel 10:4; 1 Samuel 10:27. The character of the presents offered to the King shews the simplicity of the manners of the age. They were "the natural produce of the well known vines, and corn-fields, and pastures of Bethlehem.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Let David … stand before me_ Thus David entered upon the first stage of special education for his office. In Saul's court he was placed in a position which gave opportunity for the development of his powers, and for gaining the esteem and love of the people.... [ Continue Reading ]
_And it came to pass_, &c. The verbs in this verse are frequentative, expressing what happened _repeatedly_. On the apparent inconsistency between this account of David's introduction to Saul, and the narrative of the next chapter see Note VI. p. 241.... [ Continue Reading ]