1 Samuel 16:2

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Samuel {H8050} said {H559}, How can I go {H3212}? if Saul {H7586} hear {H8085} it, he will kill {H2026} me. And the LORD {H3068} said {H559}, Take {H3947} an heifer {H1241}{H5697} with thee {H3027}, and say {H559}, I am come {H935} to sacrifice {H2076} to the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Sh'mu'el said, "How can I go? If Sha'ul hears of it, he will have me killed."ADONAI said, "Take a female cow with you and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to ADONAI.'

Berean Standard Bible

“How can I go?” Samuel asked. “Saul will hear of it and kill me!” The LORD answered, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’

American Standard Version

And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And Jehovah said, Take a heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 16:2 captures Samuel's legitimate fear and God's wise provision as the prophet is tasked with anointing a new king for Israel, replacing the rejected Saul. Samuel expresses his apprehension that Saul will kill him if he discovers the true purpose of the mission. In response, the LORD instructs Samuel to take a heifer and declare his journey to Bethlehem is for the purpose of offering a sacrifice, providing a divinely sanctioned cover story that allows Samuel to proceed with his dangerous but crucial assignment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows God's decisive rejection of King Saul and His command to Samuel to go to Bethlehem to anoint one of Jesse's sons as the new king ([1 Samuel 16:1](/1_samuel/16-1 "1 Samuel 16:1 - God Rejects Saul and Commands Samuel")). The narrative of 1 Samuel has meticulously documented Saul's decline, marked by his disobedience, impulsiveness, and spiritual unfitness to rule. The transition from Saul to David is a central theme of the book, and [1 Samuel 16](/1_samuel/16 "1 Samuel 16 - Samuel Anoints David") marks the pivotal moment when the divine choice for the next king is revealed and initiated. Samuel's fear in this verse underscores the very real political danger inherent in defying a reigning monarch, especially one as volatile as Saul had become.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** During this period, the monarchy in Israel was still relatively new, and the transfer of power was often fraught with peril, particularly when it involved divine intervention against the incumbent. King Saul had demonstrated a paranoid and violent nature, exemplified by his massacre of the priests of Nob ([1 Samuel 22:18](/1_samuel/22-18 "1 Samuel 22:18 - Saul Massacres the Priests of Nob")) and his repeated attempts on David's life, even his own son Jonathan's ([1 Samuel 20:33](/1_samuel/20-33 "1 Samuel 20:33 - Saul Attempts to Kill Jonathan")). Prophets like Samuel held significant spiritual and political influence, but they were not immune to royal wrath. The practice of offering sacrifices was a common and legitimate religious activity, providing a perfect public pretext for Samuel's journey to Bethlehem, a small town that would later gain immense significance.
* **Key Themes:** The exchange in [1 Samuel 16:2](/1_samuel/16-2 "1 Samuel 16:2 - Samuel's Fear and God's Provision") highlights several profound themes. Firstly, it reveals **Samuel's Human Fear and God's Gracious Provision**. Even a prophet of Samuel's stature, who had walked closely with God for decades, experienced genuine apprehension when faced with a life-threatening mission. God, however, does not rebuke Samuel's fear but immediately provides a practical, divinely wise solution. Secondly, it showcases **Divine Strategy and Wisdom**. God's instruction to take a "heifer" and declare a "sacrifice to the LORD" is not a command to lie, as Samuel would indeed offer a legitimate sacrifice. Instead, it is a divinely sanctioned cover story, demonstrating God's practical wisdom in navigating dangerous political landscapes and achieving His purposes through discreet means. Finally, the verse emphasizes **Obedience Amidst Danger**. Despite his initial fear, Samuel is called to obey God's command. The divine provision enables Samuel to proceed with his mission, underscoring the principle that God often clears the path for His purposes to be fulfilled, even when the task seems perilous, requiring faith and courage from His servants.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Heifer (עֶגְלָה, _eglah_):** This Hebrew term specifically refers to a young female bovine, typically unyoked and unblemished, making it suitable for sacrificial purposes. The selection of a heifer for sacrifice was a common and accepted religious practice in ancient Israel, as prescribed in Mosaic Law (e.g., [Numbers 19:2](/numbers/19-2 "Numbers 19:2 - The Red Heifer for Purification")). Its presence would lend immediate credibility to Samuel's stated purpose for visiting Bethlehem, making his journey appear routine and religiously motivated rather than politically subversive.
* **Sacrifice (לִזְבֹּחַ, _lizboach_):** This verb means "to slaughter" or "to sacrifice." In this context, it refers to the act of offering an animal as an act of worship to the LORD. Sacrifices were integral to Israelite religious life, serving various purposes including atonement, thanksgiving, and communion with God. By instructing Samuel to declare his intention to sacrifice, God provides a publicly acceptable and religiously legitimate reason for Samuel's presence in Bethlehem, effectively masking the true, sensitive nature of his mission to anoint a new king.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear [it], he will kill me."**: This opening clause reveals Samuel's profound and legitimate fear. Having witnessed Saul's increasingly erratic and violent behavior, including the murder of priests and attempts on his own son's life, Samuel understands the mortal danger involved in anointing a replacement for a reigning, paranoid king. His question is not a refusal but an honest expression of human vulnerability and a plea for divine guidance on how to navigate the perilous situation. It highlights the very real risks involved in serving God in a hostile environment.
* **"And the LORD said, Take a heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD."**: God's immediate response demonstrates His understanding of Samuel's predicament and His provision for His servant. The instruction is a divinely sanctioned strategy, providing a plausible and publicly acceptable reason for Samuel's journey to Bethlehem. This is not a command to lie, as Samuel would indeed perform a legitimate sacrifice; rather, it is a wise and discreet means of concealing the more politically volatile aspect of his mission—the anointing of a new king. This shows God's practical wisdom in working within human realities to achieve His sovereign purposes.

#### Literary Devices
The passage effectively employs **Dialogue** to convey the immediate interaction between Samuel and God, highlighting Samuel's human fear and God's divine response. The brevity and directness of their exchange underscore the urgency and gravity of the situation. There is also a subtle **Irony** at play: Samuel's legitimate act of worship (offering a sacrifice) serves as a cover for a profoundly political and transformative act (anointing a king). This demonstrates God's ability to use the mundane and expected to accomplish the extraordinary and unexpected. Furthermore, the divine instruction can be seen as an instance of **Divine Provision**, where God actively intervenes to protect His servant and enable the fulfillment of His will, even when the path is fraught with danger.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This passage profoundly illustrates God's sovereign hand in history, working through human agents despite their fears and limitations. It demonstrates that God's plans are not thwarted by human obstacles or political dangers; rather, He provides practical wisdom and means for His purposes to be accomplished. Samuel's fear is acknowledged and addressed by God, showcasing a divine compassion that meets human vulnerability with strategic provision. This dynamic highlights the tension between divine command and human apprehension, ultimately resolved by God's wisdom and faithfulness. The anointing of David, initiated here, marks a crucial turning point in Israel's history, establishing the lineage through which the Messiah would eventually come.

* [Exodus 4:1-13](/exodus/4-1 "Exodus 4:1-13 - Moses' Hesitation and God's Provision")
* [1 Samuel 15:23](/1_samuel/15-23 "1 Samuel 15:23 - Saul's Disobedience and Rejection")
* [1 Samuel 16:13](/1_samuel/16-13 "1 Samuel 16:13 - David Anointed King")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Samuel 16:2 offers profound encouragement for believers navigating difficult or dangerous callings. Samuel, a seasoned prophet, experiences very real fear, demonstrating that apprehension is a natural human response, even for those deeply committed to God. His honest expression of fear to God is met not with rebuke, but with a wise and practical solution. This teaches us that it is permissible, even healthy, to voice our fears and anxieties to God. More importantly, it reminds us that God is actively involved in our circumstances, providing the means, wisdom, and protection necessary to fulfill His purposes for our lives. We are called to trust in His sovereign wisdom, knowing that He often works in ways we might not initially understand, using ordinary means to accomplish extraordinary ends. Our obedience, even when the path seems perilous or requires discretion, is foundational to seeing God's will unfold.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **When faced with a daunting task, how do you typically respond to your fears? Do you express them to God, or do you try to suppress them?**
* **In what ways has God provided practical wisdom or unexpected solutions when you've felt overwhelmed or in danger while seeking to obey Him?**
* **How does Samuel's example encourage you to trust God's methods, even when they involve discretion or seem unconventional?**

### FAQ

**Was God instructing Samuel to lie to Saul?**

Answer: No, God was not instructing Samuel to lie. The text states, "Take a heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD." Samuel genuinely would offer a sacrifice in Bethlehem. The instruction provides a legitimate, publicly acceptable reason for his journey, which simultaneously conceals the more politically sensitive purpose of anointing a new king. This is not deception in the sense of falsehood, but rather a divinely sanctioned act of discretion and wisdom to protect Samuel and ensure the fulfillment of God's plan. It's an example of God's strategic guidance in a dangerous political climate, allowing His servant to operate without needlessly provoking a volatile king. God's wisdom often involves navigating complex realities with truth and discretion, as seen in various biblical narratives where divine purposes are subtly advanced (e.g., [Exodus 3:18](/exodus/3-18 "Exodus 3:18 - Moses' Request to Pharaoh")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Samuel's anointing of David, initiated in this verse, profoundly foreshadows the ultimate Anointed One, Jesus Christ. Just as Samuel was sent on a dangerous, discreet mission to anoint God's chosen king, so too was God's ultimate plan of salvation unfolded in a way that often seemed hidden or counter-intuitive to the world. Jesus, the true [Son of David](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1 - Genealogy of Jesus Christ"), came not with political fanfare but in humility, his true identity and mission often obscured from those who would oppose him ([John 1:10-11](/john/1-10 "John 1:10-11 - The World Did Not Recognize Him")). He operated with divine wisdom, knowing when to speak openly and when to use parables or retreat from the crowds to fulfill His Father's will ([Mark 4:11-12](/mark/4-11 "Mark 4:11-12 - The Purpose of Parables")). Like Samuel, Jesus faced mortal threats from jealous rulers and religious authorities, yet He resolutely obeyed His Father's command, even to the point of death on the cross, the ultimate sacrifice that truly took away the sin of the world ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). His anointing was not with oil, but with the Holy Spirit, empowering Him for His messianic mission ([Acts 10:38](/acts/10-38 "Acts 10:38 - Jesus Anointed with the Holy Spirit")). Thus, Samuel's fearful obedience and God's protective wisdom in 1 Samuel 16:2 point forward to the greater obedience of Christ and the perfect wisdom of God's plan for redemption.

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 9:12

And they answered them, and said, He is; behold, [he is] before you: make haste now, for he came to day to the city; for [there is] a sacrifice of the people to day in the high place:

1 Samuel 20:29

And he said, Let me go, I pray thee; for our family hath a sacrifice in the city; and my brother, he hath commanded me [to be there]: and now, if I have found favour in thine eyes, let me get away, I pray thee, and see my brethren. Therefore he cometh not unto the king's table.

Matthew 10:16

¶ Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

Jeremiah 38:26

Then thou shalt say unto them, I presented my supplication before the king, that he would not cause me to return to Jonathan's house, to die there.

Jeremiah 38:27

Then came all the princes unto Jeremiah, and asked him: and he told them according to all these words that the king had commanded. So they left off speaking with him; for the matter was not perceived.

1 Kings 18:9

And he said, What have I sinned, that thou wouldest deliver thy servant into the hand of Ahab, to slay me?

1 Kings 18:14

And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy lord, Behold, Elijah [is here]: and he shall slay me.