161 Now the Lord said to Samuel , " How long will you grieve over Saul , since I have rejected him from being king over Israel ? Fill your horn with oil and go ; I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite , for I have selected a king for Myself among his sons ." 2 But Samuel said , "How can I go ? When Saul hears of it, he will kill me." And the Lord said , " Take a heifer with you and say , 'I have come to sacrifice to the Lord .' 3 "You shall invite Jesse to the sacrifice , and I will show you what you shall do ; and you shall anoint for Me the one whom I designate to you." 4 So Samuel did what the Lord said , and came to Bethlehem . And the elders of the city came trembling to meet him and said , " Do you come in peace ?" 5 He said , "In peace ; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord . Consecrate yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice ." He also consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice .
6 When they entered , he looked at Eliab and thought , "Surely the Lord'S anointed is before Him." 7 But the Lord said to Samuel , "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature , because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees , for man looks at the outward appearance , but the Lord looks at the heart ." 8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel . And he said , "The Lord has not chosen this one either ." 9 Next Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said , "The Lord has not chosen this one either ." 10 Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel . But Samuel said to Jesse , "The Lord has not chosen these ."
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Samuel 16:1-10
Commentary on 1 Samuel 16:1-5
(Read 1 Samuel 16:1-5)
It appears that Saul was grown very wicked. Of what would he not be guilty, who durst think to kill Samuel? The elders of Bethlehem trembled at Samuel's coming. It becomes us to stand in awe of God's messengers, and to tremble at his word. His answer was, I come peaceably, for I come to sacrifice. When our Lord Jesus came into the world, though men had reason to fear that his errand was to condemn the world, yet he gave full assurance that he came peaceably, for he came to sacrifice, and he brought his offering with him; A body hast thou prepared me. Let us sanctify ourselves, and depend upon His sacrifice.
Commentary on 1 Samuel 16:6-13
(Read 1 Samuel 16:6-13)
It was strange that Samuel, who had been so disappointed in Saul, whose countenance and stature recommended him, should judge of another man by that rule. We can tell how men look, but God can tell what they are. He judges of men by the heart. We often form a mistaken judgment of characters; but the Lord values only the faith, fear, and love, which are planted in the heart, beyond human discernment. And God does not favour our children according to our fond partiality, but often most honours and blesses those who have been least regarded. David at length was pitched upon. He was the youngest of the sons of Jesse; his name signifies Beloved; he was a type of God's beloved Son. It should seem, David was least set by of all the sons of Jesse. But the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. His anointing was not an empty ceremony, a Divine power went with that instituted sign; he found himself advanced in wisdom and courage, with all the qualifications of a prince, though not advanced in his outward circumstances. This would satisfy him that his election was of God. The best evidence of our being predestinated to the kingdom of glory, is, our being sealed with the Spirit of promise, and experience of a work of grace in our hearts.