1 Samuel 16:3

KJV

And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me [him] whom I name unto thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

And call {H7121} Jesse {H3448} to the sacrifice {H2077}, and I will shew {H3045} thee what thou shalt do {H6213}: and thou shalt anoint {H4886} unto me him whom I name {H559} unto thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

Summon Yishai to the sacrifice. I will tell you what to do, and you are to anoint for me the person I point out to you."

Berean Standard Bible

Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you are to do. You are to anoint for Me the one I indicate.”

American Standard Version

And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Samuel 16:3 records God's precise instruction to the prophet Samuel, outlining the divine strategy for anointing the next king of Israel. Following King Saul's rejection, Samuel is commanded to travel to Bethlehem, invite Jesse to a sacrificial feast, and there, God promises to reveal the specific son whom Samuel is to consecrate as the new monarch, emphasizing that this selection and anointing is solely for God's divine purpose.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a crucial turning point in the narrative of Israel's monarchy. It immediately follows God's decisive rejection of King Saul due to his disobedience, particularly his failure to utterly destroy the Amalekites and their livestock, as commanded by the Lord ([1 Samuel 15:23](/1_samuel/15-23 "1 Samuel 15:23 - Saul's Disobedience and Rejection")). Samuel, deeply grieved by Saul's rejection and the consequences for the kingdom ([1 Samuel 15:35](/1_samuel/15-35 "1 Samuel 15:35 - Samuel's Grief Over Saul")), is then commanded by God to cease mourning and proceed to Bethlehem to anoint a new king from among the sons of Jesse ([1 Samuel 16:1](/1_samuel/16-1 "1 Samuel 16:1 - God Commands Samuel to Anoint a New King")). Samuel's apprehension about Saul's reaction if his mission were discovered is addressed in the preceding verse ([1 Samuel 16:2](/1_samuel/16-2 "1 Samuel 16:2 - Samuel's Fear of Saul")), leading directly to God's strategic instruction in 1 Samuel 16:3. This divine directive provides the practical means for Samuel to fulfill his dangerous mission under the guise of a legitimate religious ceremony, setting the stage for the dramatic revelation and anointing of David.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The period described in 1 Samuel marks the transition from a tribal confederacy led by judges to a centralized monarchy in Israel. Kingship was a relatively new institution, and the process of selecting and consecrating a king was imbued with profound religious and political significance. Anointing with oil was a well-established ritual in ancient Near Eastern cultures, signifying the setting apart of individuals for sacred office, whether priests, prophets, or kings. In Israel, this act conveyed divine authorization and empowerment. Sacrifices were common religious practices, often involving communal feasts, which provided a natural and inconspicuous cover for Samuel's true, clandestine mission. The instruction to "call Jesse to the sacrifice" would have been a normal invitation, allowing Samuel to gather Jesse's family without arousing suspicion from Saul's loyalists, who would have viewed any attempt to anoint a new king as treason. Bethlehem, though a small town, would later gain immense significance as the birthplace of King David and, ultimately, the Messiah.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several overarching themes present in the book of 1 Samuel and the broader biblical narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Guidance**, highlighting God's direct and active involvement in the affairs of His people, particularly in the selection of their leaders. Despite human fears and political complexities, God's plan unfolds according to His will, not human preference or political maneuvering. Linked to this is the theme of **God's Unexpected Choice**, as God often chooses those whom human eyes might overlook, focusing on the heart rather than outward appearance ([1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - God Looks at the Heart")). The instruction to Samuel also underscores the theme of **Obedience to God's Command**, demonstrating the importance of faithful adherence to divine directives, even when circumstances are challenging or dangerous. Finally, the command to "anoint unto me" emphasizes the **Sacred Nature of Divine Appointment**, signifying the setting apart of an individual for a divinely appointed office, endowing them with God's Spirit and authority, and establishing a king who would rule under God's ultimate authority.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sacrifice (Hebrew, _zevach_, זֶבַח):** This term refers to a communal offering, often a peace offering (_shelem_), where a portion of the animal is offered to God, and the remainder is consumed by the participants in a celebratory meal. In this context, the sacrifice serves as a legitimate and common religious event, providing a natural and inconspicuous cover for Samuel's true mission. It allows him to gather Jesse's family without drawing suspicion from Saul's watchful eyes or his loyalists, transforming an ordinary religious rite into the stage for a momentous divine appointment.
* **Anoint (Hebrew, _mashach_, מָשַׁח):** This verb means to smear or rub with oil, and it carries profound theological weight. In ancient Israel, anointing was a ritual act that consecrated individuals—priests, prophets, and kings—setting them apart for sacred service and imbuing them with divine authority and enablement. The very title "Messiah" (Hebrew: _Mashiach_) derives from this root, meaning "Anointed One." Here, it signifies the formal, spiritual, and public (within the family context) consecration of the next king, marking him as divinely chosen and empowered.
* **Unto me (Hebrew, _li_, לִי):** This seemingly small prepositional phrase carries immense theological significance. It emphasizes that the entire process—the selection, the anointing, and the subsequent reign of the chosen king—is not for Samuel's benefit, nor for Jesse's, nor even primarily for Israel's immediate political advantage, but solely for God's divine purpose and glory. The king would be God's representative, ruling under His ultimate authority and according to His will, establishing a unique form of theocratic monarchy.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And call Jesse to the sacrifice":** This is the practical, immediate instruction given to Samuel. It provides the necessary cover for his sensitive mission. By inviting Jesse and his sons to a legitimate religious gathering, Samuel could observe them and perform the anointing without arousing the suspicion of Saul or his agents, who would view any attempt to select a new king as treasonous. The sacrifice creates a context of communal worship and feasting, making Samuel's presence in Bethlehem seem entirely normal.
* **"and I will shew thee what thou shalt do":** This clause is a divine promise of real-time, specific guidance. Samuel had expressed fear of Saul ([1 Samuel 16:2](/1_samuel/16-2 "1 Samuel 16:2 - Samuel's Fear of Saul")), and this assurance directly addresses his apprehension. God promises to actively intervene and reveal the chosen individual at the appropriate moment, removing the burden of selection from Samuel and reinforcing divine sovereignty over the process. It highlights Samuel's role as an obedient instrument, not the decision-maker.
* **"and thou shalt anoint unto me [him] whom I name unto thee":** This is the core command and the ultimate purpose of Samuel's journey. Samuel is the agent, but God is the selector. The anointing is not a human initiative but a divine mandate, performed "unto me" (for God's own purpose and glory). This emphasizes that the king would be God's chosen representative, consecrated by divine authority, and ruling under God's ultimate dominion. The identity of the chosen one is held in God's hand until the moment of revelation, underscoring the unexpected nature of God's choice.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices. **Irony** is evident in the fact that a mundane, common religious act—a sacrifice—becomes the clandestine stage for a monumental, kingdom-altering event. This highlights God's ability to work through ordinary circumstances to achieve extraordinary divine purposes. **Divine Intervention** is a prominent feature, as God directly speaks to Samuel, providing specific instructions and a promise of real-time guidance, underscoring His active and sovereign control over human history and the selection of leaders. The act of **Anointing** itself is rich with **Symbolism**, representing divine consecration, empowerment, and the setting apart of an individual for a sacred office. The oil, poured out, symbolizes the outpouring of God's Spirit and authority upon the chosen one. Furthermore, the secrecy surrounding the anointing of David, in contrast to Saul's public anointing, serves as **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the tension and conflict that will arise between the two kings and the hidden nature of God's deeper plan for His kingdom.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 16:3 serves as a profound theological statement about God's sovereign hand in history and His method of choosing leaders. It underscores that divine election is not based on human outward appearance, social status, or political expediency, but on God's own discerning heart and purpose. This principle is famously articulated later in the chapter: "For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart" ([1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - God Looks at the Heart")). The verse also highlights God's providential care, providing Samuel with a strategic, fear-mitigating plan to accomplish a dangerous mission. The anointing "unto me" establishes the theocratic nature of Israel's monarchy, where the king is God's anointed representative, accountable to Him. This divine initiative sets the stage for the establishment of the Davidic dynasty, which would become the blueprint for the ultimate messianic kingdom.

* [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "God Looks at the Heart")
* [Psalm 78:70-72](/psalms/78-70 "God Chooses David as Shepherd")
* [Acts 13:22](/acts/13-22 "God's Testimony of David")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The divine instruction in 1 Samuel 16:3 offers timeless lessons for believers today. It calls us to cultivate a deep trust in God's unseen work and His sovereign plan, even when circumstances appear uncertain or daunting. Just as God provided a seemingly ordinary means (a sacrifice) to accomplish an extraordinary purpose (anointing a king), we are reminded that God often works through our everyday lives and seemingly mundane events to bring about His grand designs. Our role, like Samuel's, is to be obedient to God's specific instructions, even when the full picture is not clear or when fear might tempt us to hesitate. This verse encourages us to look beyond superficial appearances and human judgments, recognizing that God's criteria for leadership and influence are rooted in the heart and character, not outward show. It challenges us to seek God's guidance in our own decisions, trusting that He will "shew thee what thou shalt do" when we commit our ways to Him, and to remember that every calling and gift we possess is ultimately "unto Him" for His glory and purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge our human tendency to judge by outward appearance or rely on conventional wisdom in identifying leaders or making important decisions?**
* **In what areas of your life are you called to obey God's specific instructions, even when the outcome is uncertain or seems risky, much like Samuel's mission?**
* **How can we cultivate a greater awareness of God's sovereign hand working through ordinary circumstances and seemingly mundane events in our daily lives?**

### FAQ
**Why did God instruct Samuel to use a sacrifice as a cover?**

Answer: God instructed Samuel to use a sacrifice as a cover primarily to protect him from King Saul's wrath. Samuel had expressed fear, saying, "If Saul hear it, he will kill me" ([1 Samuel 16:2](/1_samuel/16-2 "1 Samuel 16:2 - Samuel's Fear of Saul")). A sacrifice was a legitimate, common religious activity in ancient Israel, providing a natural and inconspicuous reason for Samuel's presence in Bethlehem. This allowed him to gather Jesse and his sons without arousing suspicion from Saul's loyalists, who would have viewed any attempt to anoint a new king as an act of treason. It was a divinely orchestrated strategy to accomplish God's will discreetly and safely.

**What is the significance of the phrase "unto me" in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "unto me" (Hebrew: _li_) carries profound theological weight. It emphasizes that the selection and anointing of the king are not for Samuel's personal agenda, nor for the benefit of Jesse or Israel in a purely human or political sense, but solely for God's divine purpose and glory. The king would rule as God's representative, under His ultimate authority, and according to His will. This highlights the theocratic nature of Israel's monarchy, where even the highest human office is consecrated and accountable to God.

**How does this anointing differ from Saul's initial anointing?**

Answer: While both Saul and David were divinely chosen and anointed, their anointings differed significantly. Saul's anointing was a more public affair, occurring in response to Israel's demand for a king "like all the nations" ([1 Samuel 8:5-7](/1_samuel/8-5 "1 Samuel 8:5 - Israel Demands a King")). David's anointing in 1 Samuel 16:3, however, is presented as a secret, divinely initiated act, performed under the guise of a sacrifice and known only to Samuel, Jesse, and David's immediate family. This shift underscores God's sovereign choice, based on the heart rather than outward appearance ([1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - God Looks at the Heart")), and foreshadows a deeper, more spiritual dimension to the kingship that would culminate in the Messiah.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Samuel 16:3, with its focus on God's sovereign selection and anointing of a king, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate Anointed One, Jesus Christ. David, chosen by God's heart and anointed "unto me," serves as a type of the true King who would come from his lineage. Just as God secretly prepared David for his kingship, so too did He prepare the way for the Messiah, whose kingdom would not be of this world ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Is Not of This World")). Jesus' anointing was not with physical oil, but with the Holy Spirit, empowering Him for His messianic mission to preach good news, heal, and set the captives free ([Luke 4:18](/luke/4-18 "Luke 4:18 - Jesus' Anointing with the Spirit") and [Acts 10:38](/acts/10-38 "Acts 10:38 - God Anointed Jesus with the Holy Spirit")). His entire life and ministry were "unto the Father," fulfilling God's will through perfect obedience, even to the point of death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Jesus' Obedience to Death")). The "sacrifice" mentioned in 1 Samuel 16:3 finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ's once-for-all sacrifice on Calvary, which not only consecrated Him as High Priest and King but also takes away the sin of the world ([Hebrews 10:10-14](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10-14 - Christ's One Sacrifice") and [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Thus, 1 Samuel 16:3 points to God's unwavering commitment to establish His eternal kingdom through His divinely chosen and anointed King, Jesus the Messiah, the true Son of David, who reigns forevermore ([Revelation 19:16](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords")).

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 9:16

To morrow about this time I will send thee a man out of the land of Benjamin, and thou shalt anoint him [to be] captain over my people Israel, that he may save my people out of the hand of the Philistines: for I have looked upon my people, because their cry is come unto me.

2 Samuel 15:11

And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, [that were] called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing.

1 Samuel 16:12

And he sent, and brought him in. Now he [was] ruddy, [and] withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this [is] he.

1 Samuel 16:13

Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

Acts 9:6

And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord [said] unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

Exodus 4:15

And thou shalt speak unto him, and put words in his mouth: and I will be with thy mouth, and with his mouth, and will teach you what ye shall do.

Deuteronomy 17:14

¶ When thou art come unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, and shalt possess it, and shalt dwell therein, and shalt say, I will set a king over me, like as all the nations that [are] about me;