What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 16:5? “In peace,” he replied Samuel’s greeting calms the trembling elders of Bethlehem (1 Samuel 16:4). • The prophet has just executed Agag (15:33), so the town fears judgment. • His words echo the angelic assurance “Peace be with you; do not be afraid” (Judges 6:23) and anticipate Jesus’ “Peace I leave with you” (John 14:27). • Peace signals that God’s prophet arrives with good news, not wrath—reminding us that “He is not a God of disorder but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33). “I have come to sacrifice to the LORD” The stated purpose shifts attention from fear to worship. • Sacrifice is an act of obedience, unlike Saul’s self-serving worship that just failed the test (15:22). • Deuteronomy 12:5-6 demands offerings at the place God chooses; Samuel brings that focus to Bethlehem for this moment. • Worship centers on the LORD, not the messenger, just as Elijah later builds an altar “in the name of the LORD” (1 Kings 18:32). • By declaring his mission, Samuel sets the stage for God’s next king—demonstrating that leadership changes under the banner of true worship. “Consecrate yourselves” Before anyone approaches the altar, personal preparation is required. • At Sinai the people had to “wash their clothes and be ready” (Exodus 19:10-11). • On the banks of the Jordan, Joshua said, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do wonders among you” (Joshua 3:5). • Cleansing and setting apart underscore that God is holy (1 Peter 1:16) and will not be approached casually. • Practically, this involved bathing, abstaining from defilement, and a heart turned toward God—an outward sign of inward devotion (Psalm 24:3-4). “Come with me to the sacrifice” Samuel invites them into fellowship with God. • Worship is communal: “Come, let us worship and bow down” (Psalm 95:6). • Drawing near together fosters unity (Psalm 133:1) and anticipates the New Testament call not to neglect meeting together (Hebrews 10:24-25). • The invitation also affirms that God’s plans unfold amid ordinary people in a small town, not only in royal courts. He consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them Samuel personally sets apart one family—God’s chosen line. • Jesse’s lineage traces back to Ruth and Boaz (Ruth 4:17-22), fulfilling God’s providential weaving of history. • Isaiah would later prophesy, “A shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse” (Isaiah 11:1), and the ultimate fulfillment comes in Jesus (Romans 15:12). • By consecrating Jesse’s household, Samuel signals that the LORD is about to reveal His new king (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22). • The anointing that follows is wrapped in worship, underscoring that true authority flows from God’s presence, not human ambition. summary 1 Samuel 16:5 shows Samuel arriving in peace, declaring a sacrifice centered on the LORD, calling the people to consecration, and personally setting apart Jesse’s family. Each phrase moves the narrative from fear to worship to divine selection, illustrating that God’s purposes advance through holy preparation, communal obedience, and His sovereign choice of humble servants. |
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