CHAPTER XVI _Samuel is sent from Ramah to Bethlehem, to anoint David_, 1-13. _The Spirit of the Lord departs from Saul, and an evil spirit_ _comes upon him_, 14. _His servants exhort him to get a skilful harper to play before_ _him_, 15, 16. _He is pleased with the counsel, and desires them to... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 16:2. _TAKE A HEIFER WITH THEE, AND SAY, I AM COME TO_ _SACRIFICE_] This was strictly _true_; Samuel _did offer a sacrifice_; and it does not appear that he could have done the work which God designed, unless he had offered this sacrifice, and called the elders of the people together,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 16:3. _CALL JESSE TO THE SACRIFICE_] The common custom was, after the blood of the victim had been poured out to God, and the fat burnt, to feast on the flesh of the sacrifice. This appears to have been the case in all, except in the _whole burnt-offering_; this was entirely consumed.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 16:4. _THE ELDERS OF THE TOWN TREMBLED AT HIS COMING_] They knew he was a prophet of the Lord, and they were afraid that he was now come to denounce some judgments of the Most High against their city.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 16:5. _SANCTIFY YOURSELVES_] Change your clothes, and wash your bodies in pure water, and prepare your minds by meditation, reflection, and prayer; that, being in the spirit of sacrifice, ye may offer acceptably to the Lord.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 16:7. _MAN LOOKETH ON THE OUTWARD APPEARANCE_] And it is well he _should_, and confine his looks to _that_; for when he pretends to sound the _heart_, he usurps the prerogative of God. In what way were these communications made from God to Samuel? It must have been by direct inspirat... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 16:10. _SEVEN OF HIS SONS_] This certainly was not done _publicly_; Samuel, Jesse, and his children, must have been in a _private_ apartment, previously to the public feast on the sacrifice; for Samuel says, 1 Samuel 16:11, _We will not sit down till he_ (David) _come_.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 16:12. _HE WAS RUDDY_] I believe the word here means _red-haired_, he had _golden locks_. Hair of this kind is ever associated with a delicate skin and florid complexion.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 16:13. _THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD CAME UPON DAVID_] God qualified him to be governor of his people, by infusing such graces as wisdom, prudence, counsel, courage, liberality, and magnanimity.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 16:14. _THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD DEPARTED FROM SAUL_] He was thrown into such a state of mind by the judgments of God, as to be deprived of any regal qualities which he before possessed. God seems to have taken what gifts he had, and given them to David; and then the evil spirit came up... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 16:18. _I HAVE SEEN A SON OF JESSE_] Dr. _Warburton_ supposes the story is anticipated from 1 Samuel 16:14-9, and that the true chronology of this part of David's life is the following: - 1. David is anointed by Samuel; 2. Carries provisions to his brethren in the army; 3. Fights w... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 16:20. _TOOK AN ASS LADEN WITH BREAD_] He must send a present to Saul to introduce his son, and this was probably the best he had. Dr. Warburton pleads still farther on the propriety of his rectification of the chronology in this place. David had at this time vanquished the Philistin... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 1 Samuel 16:23. _THE_ EVIL _SPIRIT FROM GOD_] The word _evil_ is not in the common Hebrew text, but it is in the _Vulgate, Septuagint,_ _Targum, Syriac_, and _Arabic_, and in _eight_ of _Kennicott's_ and _De Rossi's_ MSS., which present the text thus: רוח אלהים רעה _ruach_ _Elohim raah_, spiri... [ Continue Reading ]