1 Samuel 16:19

KJV

Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which [is] with the sheep.

KJV (with Strong's)

Wherefore Saul {H7586} sent {H7971} messengers {H4397} unto Jesse {H3448}, and said {H559}, Send {H7971} me David {H1732} thy son {H1121}, which is with the sheep {H6629}.

Complete Jewish Bible

So Sha'ul sent messengers to Yishai saying, "Send me David your son, who is out with the sheep."

Berean Standard Bible

So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.”

American Standard Version

Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, who is with the sheep.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 16:19 marks a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative, detailing King Saul's summons of David from his humble life as a shepherd to serve in the royal court. This seemingly innocuous request, driven by Saul's need for relief from a tormenting spirit, unknowingly initiates the divine orchestration of events that will ultimately lead to David's ascent to the throne, fulfilling God's sovereign plan for Israel's future king and setting the stage for the establishment of the Davidic dynasty.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows a series of significant events that set the stage for David's introduction to Saul's court. Earlier in the chapter, the prophet Samuel, under divine instruction, secretly anointed David as the future king of Israel in Bethlehem, after God had rejected Saul due to his persistent disobedience ([1 Samuel 16:1-13](/1-samuel/16-1 "1 Samuel 16 - David's Anointing and Saul's Rejection")). Following this divine rejection, an evil spirit from the Lord began to torment Saul, causing him great distress and melancholy ([1 Samuel 16:14](/1-samuel/16-14 "1 Samuel 16:14 - Saul Tormented by an Evil Spirit")). His servants, seeking a remedy for the king's affliction, suggested finding a skilled harpist to soothe him. One servant then highly recommended David, describing him as "a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him" ([1 Samuel 16:18](/1-samuel/16-18 "1 Samuel 16:18 - David's Qualities Described by a Servant")). It is this glowing report that directly prompts Saul's command in verse 19, demonstrating how God subtly moves human actions, even those driven by self-interest, to fulfill His overarching purposes.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the role of a shepherd was common and often humble, yet it carried significant symbolic weight, frequently associated with leadership and the diligent care for a flock—a metaphor often applied to kings and God Himself. Kings in this period, like Saul, held absolute authority, and their commands, even for personal comfort or entertainment, were to be immediately obeyed without question. The belief in evil spirits causing affliction was prevalent, and music was recognized as a therapeutic tool for emotional and spiritual distress. The use of messengers was the standard and most formal method for royal communication and summons across distances, highlighting the official and authoritative nature of Saul's request for David. This historical setting underscores the vast social and political chasm David was about to cross, moving from the solitary fields to the bustling, powerful royal court, a transition orchestrated by divine providence.

* **Key Themes:** The primary theme evident in 1 Samuel 16:19 is **Divine Providence** and **Sovereignty**. God, having already chosen and anointed David, orchestrates Saul's affliction and his servants' counsel to bring David into the royal sphere. Saul's pragmatic need for relief unknowingly serves God's greater plan for the transfer of kingship, illustrating that God's will can be accomplished even through human self-interest or ignorance. Another significant theme is **Humble Beginnings** and the **Elevation of the Lowly**. David is found "with the sheep," emphasizing his unassuming status before God elevates him to national prominence. This aligns with a recurring biblical pattern where God chooses the weak and overlooked to accomplish His mighty purposes, as seen in the call of Gideon, who questioned his own humble family and clan ([Judges 6:15](/judges/6-15 "Judges 6:15 - Gideon's Humble Self-Assessment")), or the apostles, whom God chose to shame the wise ([1 Corinthians 1:27-29](/1-corinthians/1-27 "1 Corinthians 1:27-29 - God Chooses the Foolish and Weak")). Finally, the verse underscores the **Unknowing Transition of Power**. Neither Saul nor David fully grasps the monumental significance of this summons at the time; Saul seeks a musician, not his replacement, and David is simply obeying a royal command, yet it is the critical first step in the divinely ordained transfer of authority from the rejected king to the chosen one.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sent (Hebrew, _shâlach'_):** The verb שָׁלַח (_shâlach_, H7971) means "to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)." In this context, it denotes a formal dispatch of messengers, indicating a royal command. This is not a casual request but an authoritative summons from the king, underscoring the weight and immediacy of Saul's desire for David and the unchallengeable nature of the king's will.
* **Jesse (Hebrew, _Yishay'_):** יִשַׁי (_Yishay_, H3448) is David's father, a Bethlehemite. Mentioning Jesse specifically highlights David's lineage and familial context, grounding him in his community before his elevation. It also confirms that Saul's messengers knew exactly whom to approach to find David, indicating David's identity was known, even if his future destiny was not.
* **sheep (Hebrew, _tsôʼn'_):** The word צֹאן (_tsôʼn_, H6629) refers to "a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats)." This simple phrase is profoundly significant, emphasizing David's current, humble occupation. It paints a vivid picture of David in his natural, unassuming environment, contrasting sharply with the royal court he is about to enter and reinforcing the theme of God choosing the lowly and preparing them in unexpected places.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse,"**: This clause establishes Saul's agency and initiative. Driven by his torment and the advice of his servants, Saul takes direct action. The dispatch of messengers highlights the formality and authority of the king's command, indicating that David's summons was not a casual invitation but a royal directive that demanded immediate compliance from Jesse.
* **"and said, Send me David thy son,"**: This is the direct command from Saul to Jesse. It clearly identifies the individual Saul desires—David, specifically as Jesse's son, indicating that David was known, at least by reputation, even in his humble circumstances. The imperative "Send me" leaves no room for refusal, emphasizing the king's power and the immediate nature of his need.
* **"which [is] with the sheep."**: This final phrase describes David's current location and occupation. It underscores his humble status as a shepherd, tending to his father's flock. This detail is crucial for establishing the stark contrast between David's present obscurity and the grand destiny that awaits him in the royal court, highlighting God's pattern of calling individuals from unexpected places and preparing them through seemingly mundane tasks.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological implications. **Irony** is prominent, as Saul, in seeking personal comfort from an evil spirit, unknowingly summons the very man God has chosen to replace him as king. His actions, intended for his own relief, paradoxically serve as the initial step in his own downfall and the rise of his successor. **Foreshadowing** is also at play; David's call from the humble sheepfold to the palace vividly foreshadows his future ascent from obscurity to the throne of Israel, a common biblical motif of God raising the lowly to positions of prominence. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Contrast**, juxtaposing David's simple life "with the sheep" against the grandeur and political complexities of the royal court he is about to enter. This stark difference emphasizes the divine hand at work, elevating an ordinary shepherd to a position of immense national importance. The entire narrative surrounding this verse serves as a powerful example of **Divine Providence**, where God subtly orchestrates human events, even seemingly mundane ones, to achieve His sovereign and redemptive purposes.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 16:19 profoundly illustrates God's sovereign hand in human affairs, demonstrating that His plans unfold precisely, often through unexpected means and seemingly ordinary circumstances. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God does not always choose the outwardly powerful or prominent, but often works through the humble and overlooked to accomplish His mighty purposes. David's call from tending sheep to serving the king underscores the divine principle that faithfulness in small, obscure tasks can be preparation for greater responsibilities. It highlights God's ability to use even the self-serving actions of individuals (like Saul's desire for comfort) to advance His kingdom agenda, revealing a God who is intimately involved in the details of history and individual lives, guiding them toward His ultimate design.

* [Psalm 78:70-72](/psalm/78-70 "Psalm 78:70-72 - God Chose David from the Sheepfold")
* [1 Corinthians 1:27-29](/1-corinthians/1-27 "1 Corinthians 1:27-29 - God Chooses the Foolish and Weak")
* [Proverbs 16:9](/proverbs/16-9 "Proverbs 16:9 - The Lord Directs Our Steps")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Samuel 16:19 offers profound encouragement and challenges for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God often works in subtle, unexpected ways, using our current circumstances, no matter how humble or seemingly insignificant, as part of His grander plan. David, faithfully tending sheep, was unknowingly being prepared for a kingly anointing and a call to the palace. This encourages us to be faithful and diligent in our present responsibilities, trusting that God is sovereignly guiding our steps, even when we don't fully understand the ultimate outcome or purpose of our current season. Our skills, talents, and character developed in obscurity—like David's musical ability, courage, and faithfulness as a shepherd—can be precisely what God uses to open doors and lead us into His divine purpose. The irony of Saul's unwitting summons also highlights the contrast between human plans and divine will, urging us to surrender our agendas to God's perfect, often surprising, orchestration, knowing that His ways are higher than our ways.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does David's call from the sheep challenge our perceptions of where God finds and uses people for His purposes?**
* **In what "humble" or "ordinary" circumstances might God be preparing us for a greater purpose, and how can we be faithful in those preparations?**
* **How can we cultivate a greater awareness of God's sovereign hand in our daily lives, even when circumstances seem random or difficult?**

### FAQ
**Why did Saul need David?**

Answer: Saul was being tormented by an evil spirit from the Lord, which caused him great distress and melancholy. His servants suggested that finding a skilled harpist, whose music could soothe him, might alleviate his suffering. David was recommended as an accomplished musician and a man of good character, leading to Saul's summons as recorded in [1 Samuel 16:19](/1-samuel/16-19 "1 Samuel 16:19 - Saul Summons David").

**Was Saul aware of David's anointing as the future king?**

Answer: No, Saul was completely unaware of David's secret anointing by Samuel, which had occurred earlier in the chapter ([1 Samuel 16:1-13](/1-samuel/16-1 "1 Samuel 16 - David's Anointing and Saul's Rejection")). Saul's request for David was purely pragmatic, driven by his personal need for relief from his torment. He saw David as a skilled musician and a valuable servant, not as his divinely appointed successor to the throne of Israel.

**What is the significance of David being "with the sheep" at the time of his summons?**

Answer: David being "with the sheep" highlights his humble and unassuming status before God elevated him. It emphasizes that God often chooses those who are not in positions of power or prominence to accomplish His will, demonstrating His sovereignty and His ability to raise the lowly ([1 Corinthians 1:27-29](/1-corinthians/1-27 "1 Corinthians 1:27-29 - God Chooses the Foolish and Weak")). This pastoral role also foreshadows David's future as a shepherd of God's people, Israel, a common biblical metaphor for leadership, and prepares him for the care and protection of his nation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of David's humble call from the sheepfold to the king's court in 1 Samuel 16:19 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as David was chosen from obscurity, not from the established centers of power, so too did the Messiah come in a humble, unexpected manner. The prophet Isaiah foretold that the Suffering Servant would have "no form or majesty that we should look at him, and no beauty that we should desire him" ([Isaiah 53:2-3](/isaiah/53-2 "Isaiah 53:2-3 - The Humble Appearance of the Suffering Servant")). Jesus, the greater Son of David, was born in the humble town of Bethlehem ([Matthew 2:6](/matthew/2-6 "Matthew 2:6 - Bethlehem, the Humble Origin of the Ruler")), not Jerusalem, and began His ministry not in a palace, but among the common people, calling fishermen and tax collectors to be His disciples. He was the ultimate "Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), yet also the "Good Shepherd" who lays down His life for His sheep ([John 10:11](/john/10-11 "John 10:11 - Jesus, the Good Shepherd")). David's elevation from shepherd to king foreshadows Christ's journey from humble incarnation and sacrificial death to His glorious resurrection and enthronement as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, demonstrating God's consistent pattern of exalting the humble and using the unexpected to accomplish His eternal purposes ([Philippians 2:6-11](/philippians/2-6 "Philippians 2:6-11 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 17:15

But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem.

1 Samuel 16:11

And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all [thy] children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.

Psalms 78:70

He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:

Psalms 78:72

So he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skilfulness of his hands.

1 Samuel 17:33

And Saul said to David, Thou art not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him: for thou [art but] a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.

1 Samuel 17:34

And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father's sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:

Exodus 3:1

¶ Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, [even] to Horeb.