Explore the Bible Lesson Preview July 17, 2016 Anointed! Background: 1 Samuel 16:1-23 Lesson: 1 Samuel 16:4-13Motivation: Of all the kings mentioned in the Bible, King David was the only one called by God a man after my own heart (Acts 13:22 NIV). We see in the call of David, those early indications of character which made him dear to God. Examination: I. New Leadership (1-3) The said to Samuel, How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem because I have selected a king from his sons. 2 Samuel asked, How can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me! The answered, Take a young cow with you and say, I have come to sacrifice to the. 3 Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will let you know what you are to do. You are to anoint for Me the one I indicate to you. (1-3) A. Division: Chapter 15 concluded with Saul going to Gibeah and Samuel to Ramah (15:34). Although Samuel mourned for Saul, the feelings of affection were 1 / 9
not reciprocal. B. Disturbance: When God told Samuel to anoint another King, his response showed the deep enmity of Saul, Saul will hear about it and kill me (2). Even the villagers knew of the potential for trouble: Do you come peaceably (4). Although the kingdom was united in theory, there were still deep fault lines that foreshadowed the coming division after Solomon. HCSB: p.469: 16:2 Samuel had told Saul that God had rejected his kingship and had chosen another to lead Israel. Consequently, Samuel s travels would be of great interest to Saul. Samuel feared Saul would consider it treason if Samuel anointed another man as King. A young cow might be sacrificed in a region where an unsolved murder had occurred (Dt. 21:1-9). It is also possible that bringing a sacrifice to the merely provided a pretext for Samuel to hide the primary purpose of his journey. C. Direction: I will let you know what you are to do. (3) Ever the man of faith, Samuel set off with very little instruction other than to bring his anointing oil and invite Jesse. HCSB: p.469 : 16:3 The presence of Jesse was crucial since one of his sons was to succeed Saul. II. Samuel s Assignment (4-5) Samuel did what the directed and went to Bethlehem. When the elders of the town met him, they trembled and asked, Do you come in peace? 5 In peace, he replied. I ve come to sacrifice to the. Consecrate yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice. Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited 2 / 9
them to the sacrifice. (4-5) A. Service Samuel did what the commanded Obedience is the starting place for service and worship. B. Shalom In peace Samuel allayed the elders fears of strife with the common Hebrew greeting shalom. C. Sacrifice I ve come to sacrifice to the. Consecrate yourselves It s fitting that such a monumental event as anointing the future king would begin with a service of worship. And worship is preceded by personal consecration. HCSB: p. 469: 16:5 Consecrate means to set oneself apart to God. It involved entering into ritual cleanness. No set consecration checklist appears in Scripture, though bathing, putting on clean garments, avoiding contact with a dead body, and suspension of sexual relations are mentioned in various consecration contexts. He consecrated Jesse and his sons probably means Samuel oversaw their consecration at their home. III. God s Criteria (6-10) When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and said, Certainly the s anointed one is here before Him. 7 But the said to Samuel, Do not look at his appearance or his stature, because I have rejected him. Man does not see what the sees, 3 / 9
for man sees what is visible, but the sees the heart. 8 Jesse called Abinadab and presented him to Samuel. The hasn t chosen this one either, Samuel said. 9 Then Jesse presented Shammah, but Samuel said, The hasn t chosen this one either. 10 After Jesse presented seven of his sons to him, Samuel told Jesse, The hasn t chosen any of these. (6-10) Samuel surveyed the crop of potential kings among Jesse s sons. Based on the imposing physical qualifications of Saul (9:2), Samuel could not help speculating over God s choice Samuel saw Eliab and said, Certainly the s anointed one is here before him! (6). God reveals an incredible truth to all of us at this point: Do not look at his appearance or at his stature, because I have rejected him. Man does not see as the sees, for man sees what is visible, but the sees the heart (7) (2 Cor. 5:12; I Ths. 5:22) Jeremiah wrote The heart is more deceitful than anything else, and incurable-who can know it? (17:9) Only through God s grace can our hearts be acceptable to Him! David cried out to God: Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way. (Ps. 139:23-24; Ps. 19:12-14). IV. David s Selection (11-13) Samuel asked him, Are these all the sons you have? There is still the youngest, he answered, but right now he s tending the sheep. Samuel told Jesse, 4 / 9
Send for him. We won t sit down to eat until he gets here. 12 So Jesse sent for him. He had beautiful eyes and a healthy, handsome appearance. Then the said, Anoint him, for he is the one. 13 So Samuel took the horn of oil, anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the took control of David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah. (11-13) David was so insignificant that his father didn t bother even introducing him to the Prophet. Yet, this little shepherd boy would become Israel s greatest king. Explore the Bible Commentary (Spring, 2001), p. 91: God matches humans and events according to His own wisdom. Often the first becomes last, and the last first. Perhaps many who now live in obscurity and seeming unimportance will be raised up by the to do a mighty work for Him in His own time. Too many people look at themselves and say they will never have a great task laid before them. They should remember the story of this young shepherd who was called from tending his sheep to be king of Israel. A few hours before his anointing, David might well have thought that his destiny was fixed and that his lot was to settle in Bethlehem and raise sheep. We can affirm these truths: God knows the capacity and potential of each individual. He will never lead any of us to do something for which He will not equip and empower us. While serving Him often requires personal sacrifices, following Him provides life s highest satisfaction. V. Troubled Leader (14-23) Now the Spirit of the had left Saul, and an evil spirit sent from the be gan to torment him, 15 so Saul s servants said to him, You see that an evil spirit from God is tormenting you. 16 Let our lord command your servants here in your presence to look for someone who knows how to play the lyre. Whenever the evil spirit from God troubles you, that person can play the lyre, and you will feel better. 17 Then Saul commanded his servants, Find me someone who plays well and bring him to me. 18 One of the young men answered, I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is also a valiant man, a warrior, eloquent, handsome, and the 5 / 9
is with him. 19 Then Saul dispatched messengers to Jesse and said, Send me your son David, who is with the sheep. 20 So Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine, and one young goat and sent them by his son David to Saul. 21 When David came to Saul and entered his service, Saul admired him greatly, and David became his armor-bearer. 22 Then Saul sent word to Jesse: Let David remain in my service, for I am pleased with him. 23 Whenever the spirit from God troubled Saul, David would pick up his lyre and play, and Saul would then be relieved, feel better, and the evil spirit would leave him. (14-23) A. Spiritual Decline (14-15) Believer s Study Bible, p. 399: 16:14 According to this verse, God s judgment of Saul included two aspects. On the one hand, God s Spirit ceased to empower Saul for kingship, leaving him to his own mental and spiritual helplessness and instability (cf. 28:15, 16). On the other hand, God tormented Saul psychologically. The word ra ah (Heb.), distressing, translated evil in the KJV, may describe in various contexts something either morally evil or unpleasant. The latter appears to be the case here. God caused Saul to have spells in which he felt miserable (cf. v. 23), perhaps periods of severe depression (cf. 1 Kin. 22:0-23) HCSB : p. 470: 16:14 The theological difficulty of the expression evil spirit from the may be resolved in one of two ways. God may have intended the evil spirit as redemptive-designed to turn Saul to repentance. Or God may have intended the evil spirit as His instrument of judgement against the rebellious king. God is completely righteous, hates evil, an dnever does anything unjust, yet He makes use of demons (against their evil intention) to accomplish His good purposes (cp. Jb 1:6-12). B. Spiritual Advance (16-18) Surely some time had passed between verses 13 and 18. 6 / 9
God s Spirit was evident upon David as his reputation grew. (16:12-13). Notice the qualities that even become known in the King s Court: who knows how to play the lyre. He is also a valiant man, a warrior, eloquent, handsome, and the is with him. (18) HCSB: p. 470 : 16:18 One of the young men of Saul s court apparently knew David well, because he described several good qualities beyond David s musical skill. Warrior may be anticipatory (Suggesting David seemed to have the qualities that would make a good warrior) since it does not seem that at this stage of life David was accustomed to fighting in battle (17:14-15). The is with him describes David s spiritual qualifications, which would prove important as the drama unfolded. C. Spiritual Comfort (19-23) Rather than try to kill a threat to his throne, Saul was guided by God to take David into his court as a musician. Saul admired him (Da vid) greatly (23) Believer s Study Bible, p.400: 16:23 David s God-given ability to comfort Saul with his music indicates that God s judgment of Saul was not total, but was yet tempered by His grace. Sometimes today God in His grace may use music to relieve human suffering. D. Spiritual Training David became his armor bearer. (22) Although God s spirit was with David, the young shepherd boy still had a steep learning curve to becoming king. In God s plan, Saul took David under his wing and allowed him to observe a King s duties first hand. HCSB : p. 470: 16:23 Being close to Saul also meant David could pick up his lyre quickly and play if the king felt 7 / 9
troubled. Meanwhile, God was continuing to prepare David for the day he would become king. Application: 1. First is sometimes last and last first. 2. Outward appearance is less important than inner heart. 3. God is continuing to work His will in us if our hearts are in tune with His. Leader Pack Item 8: King Saul vs. King David; Item 14: Poster: 1 Samuel 16:7 Biblical Illustrator, p. 63 David as a Leader of Israel Notes: **You may access David s Lesson Preview in MP3 format at: www.hfbcbiblestudy.or g ; Dates: 2016 6/13 7/17 Pastor Gregg s Sabbatical; 7/10-14 Houston 1:8/Houston Project thru 15 th ; 7/18 RUSHWEEK Rally; 7/22-28 RUSHWEEK 2016; 7/24 s Supper; 7/24 SPF Birthday Bash; 7/29 Family Mission Trip (Loop Only); 7/31 8 / 9
School Supply Collection; 8/6 Inspirational Writers Conference; 8/8 HUB Battlefield; 8/13 Oasis Single Mom s Conference; 8/19-20 HUB LBS Volunteer Leader Retreat @ Hunt; 8/21 Back to School Sunday & Welcome to the HUB @ Loop; 8/21 SPF Birthday Bash; 8/24 Midlink Preview Night; 8/27 Parent Conference; 8/31 AMP/WIRED Back 2 School night; 9/9-11 SPF Family Camp @ Stoney Creek Ranch; 9/11 Fall LBS Luncheon; 9/12-14 ION Conference; 9/17 Men:Serve; 9/17-18 9 th gr. Event & Parent Hang out; 9/18 Make It Your Church Orientation; 9/25 SPF Birthday Bash; 9/25 MS Family Park Day. 9 / 9