1 Samuel 16 3

1 Samuel 16:3

ESV: And invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do. And you shall anoint for me him whom I declare to you."

KJV: And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee.

NIV: Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate."

NKJV: Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; you shall anoint for Me the one I name to you."

NLT: Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you which of his sons to anoint for me."

Meaning

1 Samuel 16:3 details God's command to Samuel to include Jesse in a specific sacrifice in Bethlehem. This communal religious act serves as both a cover for Samuel's true mission and a divinely orchestrated context for the anointing of Saul's successor. The verse emphasizes that God would reveal the identity of His chosen one to Samuel during this event, and Samuel's role was to perform the sacred anointing on God's behalf, making it clear that this was God's designation, not Samuel's.

Cross References

Context

1 Samuel 16 follows directly from God's rejection of King Saul in chapter 15 due to his disobedience (1 Sam 15:23). Samuel is in deep mourning for Saul (1 Sam 16:1). God instructs Samuel to cease mourning and to fill his horn with oil, commissioning him to go to Bethlehem, for He has chosen a new king from Jesse's sons (1 Sam 16:1). Samuel expresses fear of Saul, who might kill him if he found out (1 Sam 16:2). In response, God provides the specific instruction in 1 Samuel 16:3 as a means to carry out the anointing covertly, yet through a divinely sanctioned act. This sets the stage for God's selection of David, highlighting God's sovereign choice over human preference or worldly appearance. Bethlehem was David's ancestral home, an insignificant town that God chose for this monumental event, further emphasizing God's reversal of human expectations.

Word analysis

• And call (Hebrew: וְקָרָאתָ - wə·qā·rā·ṯā): From the verb קרא (qara'), meaning "to call," "summon," "proclaim," or "invite." Here, it signifies a formal, deliberate summoning, indicating Jesse's necessary participation in the sacred ritual. It's an instruction given by God to His prophet.
• Jesse (Hebrew: יִשָׁי - yišāy): A specific individual, the father of David, living in Bethlehem. He is not known as a prominent figure until this point, making his selection as the patriarch from whom a king will come an act of divine sovereignty.
• to the sacrifice (Hebrew: לַזֶּבַח - la·ze·ḇaḥ): From the noun זֶבַח (zevah), referring to a religious sacrifice or offering, often culminating in a communal meal. In the Israelite context, sacrifices were acts of worship, atonement, thanksgiving, or fellowship (e.g., peace offerings, Lev 3). Using a public sacrifice as cover allows Samuel to visit Bethlehem without arousing Saul's suspicion, giving his mission religious legitimacy and making it seem routine.
• and I will show you (Hebrew: וְהוֹדַעְתִּיךָ - wə·hō·w·da'·tî·ḵā): From the verb יָדַע (yada'), meaning "to know," "to cause to know," or "to make known." This emphasizes divine revelation. God promises to explicitly guide Samuel, not leaving the choice to human intuition or preference. This reinforces God's direct involvement in king-making.
• what you shall do. (Hebrew: אֲשֶׁר תַּעֲשֶׂה - 'ă·šer ta'·ă·śeh): This phrase highlights the precision of God's command. Samuel is not to choose but to act according to God's precise instruction regarding the individual.
• And you shall anoint (Hebrew: וּמָשַׁחְתָּ - ū·mā·šaḥ·tā): From the verb מָשַׁח (mashach), meaning "to anoint," "to smear," or "to consecrate." Anointing with oil was a physical act that symbolized the pouring out of God's Spirit, conferring divine appointment and empowerment for a specific role (prophet, priest, king). This act is a public declaration, yet here done in a semi-private setting under divine instruction.
• for Me (Hebrew: לִי - lî): The suffix 'לי' emphasizes that the anointing is not for Samuel's sake, nor for human glory, but solely for God's divine purpose and ownership. The chosen one will serve God. This directly contrasts with Saul's anointing, which became corrupted by his self-serving actions.
• the one whom I designate to you. (Hebrew: אֵלֶיךָ אֲשֶׁר אֹמַר - 'ê·le·ḵā 'ă·šer 'ō·mar): Literally "him whom I shall say to you." This reinforces that God, and God alone, determines the next king. Samuel's role is merely to confirm and act upon God's clear revelation. This removes all human agency from the choice, placing it entirely on divine wisdom, which anticipates the "man after God's own heart" in 1 Samuel 13:14 and the focus on the heart in 1 Samuel 16:7. It stands as a polemic against human criteria for leadership (like appearance or military prowess, which initially seemed to qualify Saul).

Commentary

1 Samuel 16:3 is a pivotal verse, meticulously detailing God's instruction to Samuel for the transfer of kingship from Saul. It underscores several crucial themes. Firstly, God's sovereignty is paramount; He dictates the what, who, and how of the king-making process. The directive to use a "sacrifice" serves a dual purpose: it provides a socially acceptable reason for Samuel's journey to Bethlehem, thus protecting him from Saul's wrath, and simultaneously highlights that divine intervention often occurs within existing religious frameworks. This also means God can use sacred activities for strategic purposes. Secondly, the phrase "I will show you what you shall do... the one whom I designate to you" emphasizes God's active and direct revelation. Samuel is not to choose based on appearance or human judgment but is entirely reliant on divine guidance, a point reinforced by the subsequent selection of the unlikely David (1 Sam 16:7). The anointing is "for Me," indicating that the new king would serve God's purposes, contrasting with Saul who became self-serving. This verse thus lays the foundation for a kingship aligned with God's will and purpose, beginning with a hidden divine selection facilitated through a seemingly ordinary religious rite. It showcases that God works through His established prophet to initiate His kingdom plan.

Bonus section

• Significance of Bethlehem: Bethlehem was a small, seemingly insignificant town (Micah 5:2), often associated with obscurity, yet God consistently chooses the humble and unexpected for great purposes. This aligns with His later choice of David, the youngest and overlooked son.
• Samuel's Fear: While the verse gives the instruction, it must be read in light of 1 Sam 16:2, where Samuel expresses genuine fear for his life if Saul were to discover his true mission. God's specific instruction about the sacrifice directly addresses this fear, demonstrating God's provision and practical wisdom for His servants.
• Types of Sacrifice: The exact type of zevah is not specified, but peace offerings (fellowship offerings) typically involved communal feasting, making them a suitable cover for inviting Jesse's entire household to participate. This would facilitate the anointing within a family setting after the sacrificial meal.

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