1 Samuel 16 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

1 Samuel 16 Summary - A Quick Overview

WHEN:

• Israel’s first king, Saul, was appointed in approximately 1050 B.C.

• These events took place several years after Saul became king, probably around 1025 B.C.

CHARACTERS:

• Samuel – God’s prophet. He was the last significant judge of Israel.

• Jesse – A man from Bethlehem who had 8 sons. His youngest son’s name was David.

• David – He was selected by God to eventually become the second king of Israel.  

• Saul – God selected Saul to be the first king of Israel. He was from the tribe of Benjamin.

WHERE:

• Jesse and his sons lived in Bethlehem.

OUTLINE:

• DAVID IS ANOINTED THE NEXT KING OF ISRAEL (16:1-13):

  • In chapter 15, God rejected Saul as king due to his disobedience in the matter of the Amalekites.

  • In chapter 16, God spoke to Samuel and told him to go to the house of Jesse, a man from Bethlehem, and there he would find the next king of Israel.

  • Samuel took a sacrifice, went to Bethlehem, and invited Jesse and his sons to accompany him to the sacrifice.  

  • Looking over Jesse’s sons, Samuel assumed one named Eliab would be God’s selection (presumably he looked like a king).

  • But God told Samuel His choice would be based on the man’s heart, not his outward appearance.

  • Jesse put forward 7 of his sons as potential candidates, but the Lord rejected them all.

  • Jesse had one final son, the youngest, but he was off shepherding the sheep.

  • Samuel asked Jesse to summon his youngest son, whose name was David.

  • David was described as ruddy, handsome, and having beautiful eyes.

  • God informed Samuel that David was His selection to be the next king.

  • Samuel took his horn of oil and anointed David.

  • The Spirit of God “rushed upon David” from that day forward.

• SAUL’S HARMFUL SPIRIT AND DAVID’S LYRE (16:14-23):

  • God’s Spirit left Saul and the Lord gave him a “harmful spirit” which tormented him.

  • Saul’s servants saw their kings suffering and encouraged him to find a musician to play music when the harmful spirit afflicted him.

  • One of the servants recommended a young Bethlehemite who was talented at playing the lyre (it just so happened to be David).

  • Saul sent to Jesse and requested David be sent to him.

  • Whenever the harmful spirit afflicted Saul, David would play the lyre and Saul would get relief.

APPLICATION:

• David may not have looked like a king, but he had the heart of a king.

• Sense we don’t have the ability to see the quality of person’s heart, we should reserve our judgement about their openness to the Gospel.

• We should never hold back from sharing the Gospel with someone because they “look” like they won’t be interested.

• Sense we don’t have the ability to see the quality of a person’s heart, we should reserve our judgement about their value in the Kingdom of God.

• Some of the most faithful servants of the Lord don’t bear the characteristic marks we often associate with success.