So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah. So Samuel took the horn of oilThe act of taking a "horn of oil" is deeply symbolic in the Hebrew tradition. The "horn" (Hebrew: qeren) often symbolizes strength and power, as it is derived from the horns of animals, which were used as vessels for anointing oil. Oil, in biblical times, was a symbol of consecration and sanctification. It was used to set apart individuals for a divine purpose. Samuel, as a prophet, was performing a sacred act, indicating that David was chosen by God for a special role. and anointed him The Hebrew word for "anointed" is mashach, from which we derive the term "Messiah," meaning "the anointed one." Anointing was a ritual act that signified the conferring of God's blessing and authority. In this context, David's anointing marks him as God's chosen king, even though he would not immediately ascend to the throne. This act foreshadows the anointing of Jesus Christ, the ultimate Messiah. in the presence of his brothers This phrase highlights the public nature of David's anointing. His brothers, who were initially considered for kingship, witnessed God's choice of the youngest and seemingly least likely candidate. This underscores a recurring biblical theme: God often chooses the humble and the least expected to fulfill His purposes, demonstrating that His ways are not man's ways. and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David The "Spirit of the LORD" (Hebrew: Ruach Yahweh) represents God's presence and power. The phrase "rushed upon" indicates a sudden and powerful endowment of divine enablement. This is a transformative moment for David, marking the beginning of his journey as God's chosen leader. The Spirit's presence is essential for the fulfillment of God's purposes, empowering David for the tasks ahead. from that day forward This phrase signifies a permanent change in David's life. The anointing was not a temporary event but marked the beginning of a new era. From this point, David is equipped with divine wisdom and strength, setting the stage for his future role as king. It also implies that God's calling and gifts are irrevocable, as seen in Romans 11:29. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah Samuel's departure to Ramah, his hometown, signifies the completion of his mission. Ramah was a place of prophetic activity and Samuel's base of operations. His return there indicates a transition in the narrative, as the focus shifts from Samuel's leadership to David's rise. It also reflects Samuel's obedience to God's will, having fulfilled his role in anointing the future king. Persons / Places / Events 1. SamuelA prophet and judge of Israel, Samuel is tasked by God to anoint the next king of Israel. He is obedient to God's direction, even when it means going against the current king, Saul. 2. DavidThe youngest son of Jesse, David is chosen by God to be the future king of Israel. His anointing marks the beginning of his journey from shepherd to king. 3. JesseDavid's father, who presents his sons to Samuel. Jesse is from Bethlehem, a town that holds significant future importance in biblical prophecy. 4. The Horn of OilA symbol of consecration and the Holy Spirit's empowerment. Anointing with oil signifies God's choice and blessing. 5. RamahThe place where Samuel resides. After anointing David, Samuel returns to Ramah, indicating the completion of his mission. Teaching Points God's Sovereign ChoiceGod's selection of David, the youngest and seemingly least likely candidate, reminds us that God sees beyond outward appearances and chooses based on the heart. Empowerment by the SpiritThe rushing of the Spirit upon David signifies the empowerment needed for God's work. We, too, need the Holy Spirit's power to fulfill our God-given purposes. Obedience to God's CallSamuel's obedience in anointing David, despite the potential danger from Saul, teaches us the importance of following God's direction, even when it is challenging. Preparation for Future RolesDavid's anointing was the beginning of his preparation for kingship. God often prepares us for future roles long before we step into them. The Importance of AnointingAnointing signifies being set apart for God's purpose. As Christians, we are anointed by the Holy Spirit to live out our calling. Bible Study Questions 1. How does God's choice of David challenge our perceptions of leadership and qualifications? 2. In what ways can we seek the empowerment of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives, as David experienced? 3. What can we learn from Samuel's obedience to God's instructions, even when they seem risky or counterintuitive? 4. How does David's anointing foreshadow the coming of Jesus, the Messiah, and what does this mean for us today? 5. Reflect on a time when you felt God was preparing you for a future role. How did that preparation impact your faith journey? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Samuel 10:1This verse describes the anointing of Saul as king, providing a contrast between Saul's and David's anointing and the outcomes of their reigns. Psalm 23Written by David, this psalm reflects his deep relationship with God, which began with the anointing and the Spirit's presence in his life. Acts 13:22This verse refers to David as a man after God's own heart, highlighting the significance of his anointing and God's favor upon him. Isaiah 11:1-2Prophecies about the Messiah, who would come from the line of David, showing the long-term significance of David's anointing. People Abinadab, David, Eliab, Jesse, Samuel, Saul, ShammahPlaces Bethlehem, Gibeah, RamahTopics Anointed, Anointeth, Bottle, Brethren, Brothers, David, Forward, Horn, Midst, Mightily, Oil, Onwards, Power, Presence, Prosper, Ramah, Ramath, Riseth, Rose, Samuel, Spirit, TakethDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 16:13 1670 symbols 2206 Jesus, the Christ 3030 Holy Spirit, power 3110 Holy Spirit, titles of 4488 oil 4654 horn 5370 kingship, human 5457 power, human 7328 ceremonies 7773 prophets, role 1 Samuel 16:1-13 5086 David, rise of 5366 king 6622 choice 7735 leaders, political 1 Samuel 16:6-13 5661 brothers 1 Samuel 16:7-13 8319 perception, spiritual 1 Samuel 16:11-13 5887 inexperience 1 Samuel 16:12-13 2230 Messiah, coming of 7304 anointing 1 Samuel 16:13-14 3015 Holy Spirit, divinity 3272 Holy Spirit, in OT 7967 spiritual gifts, responsibility 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 16:13 NIV1 Samuel 16:13 NLT1 Samuel 16:13 ESV1 Samuel 16:13 NASB1 Samuel 16:13 KJV
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