INTRODUCTION: This chapter initiates a major shift in the First Book of Samuel. The first seven chapters (1 Samuel 1-7) describe The Rule of Samuel . The next eight chapters (1 Samuel 8-15) tell the story of The Reign of Saul . Now, even though Saul continues to reign through to the end of the book, this portion of Samuel (chapters 16-31) emphasizes The Rise of David . From now on, David is the center of the biblical story and Saul is seen chiefly as the number one enemy of David.

In this chapter, Samuel anoints David as the next king and God has finally chosen His man to rule over Israel. Although God selected Saul, He selected him to please the selfish demands of the Israelites for a king so that they could be like the other nations. The Bible reveals that God had plans for Israel to have a king at some point (see Deuteronomy 17:14-20 [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; [15] Thou shalt in any wise set him king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: one from among thy brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over thee, which is not thy brother. [16] But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way. [17] Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold. [18] And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: [19] And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them: [20] That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel.
See All...). However, Saul was not in God’s perfect timing and so He gave Israel a king after their own desire – one who “from his shoulders and upward . . . was higher than any of the people” (1 Samuel 9:2And he had a son, whose name was Saul, a choice young man, and a goodly: and there was not among the children of Israel a goodlier person than he: from his shoulders and upward he was higher than any of the people.
See All...). Saul was a man’s man and had the image of the king desired by Israel.

However, David was God’s man. Though he was handsome in the flesh (“of a beautiful countenance”), he did not have the imposing physical appearance that brought awe. He was rather young and “ruddy.” But the Lord had “sought him a man after his own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.
See All...) and had found him in David. David, therefore, became “the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel” (2 Samuel 23:1Now these be the last words of David. David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said,
See All...); he went forth to fulfill all God’s will (Acts 13:22And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.
See All...) and “served his own generation by the will of God” (Acts 13:36For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw corruption:
See All...). What a difference we see between Saul and David. One impressed men by his exterior appearance; the other impressed God by the condition of his heart.

1. SAMUEL’S TRIP TO BETHLEHEM (1 Samuel 16:1-5 [1] And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons. [2] 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. [3] 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. [4] And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably? [5] And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.
   See All...)
1. Sent to Anoint a King (1 Samuel 16:1And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.
   See All...)
1. God has rejected Saul (1 Samuel 13:13-14 [13] And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. [14] But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.
   See All...; 1 Samuel 15:23For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
   See All...).
2. Fill your horn with oil (1 Kings 1:39And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the tabernacle, and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save king Solomon.
   See All...; Psalm 92:10But my horn shalt thou exalt like the horn of an unicorn: I shall be anointed with fresh oil.
   See All...).
3. Go to the sons of Jesse of Bethlehem (Isaiah 11:1And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:
   See All..., 10).
4. The Lord has provided a king among his sons.
2. Given a Divine Alibi (1 Samuel 16:2-3 [2] 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. [3] 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.
   See All...)
1. Samuel’s fear of Saul (1 Samuel 16:2And 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.
   See All...a)
2. God’s solution (1 Samuel 16:2And 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.
   See All...b-3)
1. Take an heifer for sacrifice (1 Samuel 16:2And 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.
   See All...).
2. Call Jesse to the sacrifice (1 Samuel 16:3And 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.
   See All...).
3. He Arrives in Bethlehem (1 Samuel 16:4-5 [4] And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably? [5] And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.
   See All...).
1. The fear of the people (1 Samuel 16:4And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?
   See All...; 1 Samuel 12:18So Samuel called unto the LORD; and the LORD sent thunder and rain that day: and all the people greatly feared the LORD and Samuel.
   See All...)
2. The obedience of the people (1 Samuel 16:5And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.
   See All...)
1. They sanctify themselves (Exodus 19:22And let the priests also, which come near to the LORD, sanctify themselves, lest the LORD break forth upon them.
   See All...; Leviticus 11:44For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
   See All...; Leviticus 20:7-8 [7] Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God. [8] And ye shall keep my statutes, and do them: I am the LORD which sanctify you.
   See All...; Joshua 3:5And Joshua said unto the people, Sanctify yourselves: for to morrow the LORD will do wonders among you.
   See All...; 2 Chronicles 29:5And said unto them, Hear me, ye Levites, sanctify now yourselves, and sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place.
   See All...).
2. They come to the sacrifice.
3. Jesse and his sons come with them.
2. GOD’S CHOICE OF DAVID (1 Samuel 16:6-13 [6] And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD's anointed is before him. [7] But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. [8] Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this. [9] Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this. [10] Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these. [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. [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. [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.
   See All...)
1. God Rejects the Seven (1 Samuel 16:6-10 [6] And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD's anointed is before him. [7] But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. [8] Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this. [9] Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this. [10] Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these.
   See All...).
1. Samuel’s mistake (1 Samuel 16:6And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD's anointed is before him.
   See All...; cp. 1 Samuel 10:23-24 [23] And they ran and fetched him thence: and when he stood among the people, he was higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward. [24] And Samuel said to all the people, See ye him whom the LORD hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people? And all the people shouted, and said, God save the king.
   See All...); even God’s man can fall into the trap of looking on the outward appearance.
2. God’s correction (1 Samuel 16:7But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
   See All...)
1. Not the outward appearance (John 7:24Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
   See All...; 2 Corinthians 10:7Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's.
   See All...)
2. But the heart (2 Chronicles 16:9For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
   See All...; Proverbs 16:2All the ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.
   See All...; Jeremiah 17:10I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
   See All...; Acts 1:24And they prayed, and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, shew whether of these two thou hast chosen,
   See All...)
3. The pattern repeated (1 Samuel 16:8-10 [8] Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this. [9] Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this. [10] Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these.
   See All...)
1. With Abinadab (1 Samuel 16:8Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.
   See All...)
2. With Shammah (1 Samuel 16:9Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.
   See All...)
3. With the remaining sons (1 Samuel 16:10Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these.
   See All...)
2. God Chooses the Forgotten (1 Samuel 16:11-13 [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. [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. [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.
   See All...).
1. The fetching of David (1 Samuel 16:11And 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.
   See All...; 1 Corinthians 1:26-29 [26] For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: [27] But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; [28] And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: [29] That no flesh should glory in his presence.
   See All...)
2. The description of David (1 Samuel 16:12And 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.
   See All...)
1. Ruddy: of reddish complexion; an indication of youth and inexperience (1 Samuel 17:42And when the Philistine looked about, and saw David, he disdained him: for he was but a youth, and ruddy, and of a fair countenance.
   See All...)
2. Beautiful countenance: refers to his face
3. Goodly to look to
3. The anointing of David (1 Samuel 16:13Then 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.
   See All...; cp. 1 Samuel 10:1Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be captain over his inheritance?
   See All...)
1. The horn of oil (Hebrews 1:9Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
   See All...)
2. The Spirit of the Lord (1 Samuel 16:18Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him.
   See All...; 1 Samuel 18:12-14 [12] And Saul was afraid of David, because the LORD was with him, and was departed from Saul. [13] Therefore Saul removed him from him, and made him his captain over a thousand; and he went out and came in before the people. [14] And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him.
   See All...)
4. The departure of Samuel (1 Samuel 16:13Then 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.
   See All...)
3. SAUL’S EVIL SPIRIT FROM THE LORD (1 Samuel 16:14-18 [14] But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him. [15] And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee. [16] Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well. [17] And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me. [18] Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him.
   See All...)
1. An Evil Spirit from the Lord (1 Samuel 16:14-15 [14] But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him. [15] And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.
   See All...)
1. Note:  God can use even that which is evil to perform His own purpose (Psalm 78:49He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them.
   See All...; Psalm 76:10Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.
   See All...). He may send evil in the sense that He removes His protective hand and allows it to come (Job 1:12And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
   See All...; Job 2:6-7 [6] And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. [7] So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.
   See All...).
1. First, we must understand that God is not the source of wickedness. The Bible teaches that sin originates from the Devil (1 John 3:8He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
   See All...). He is also the father of the lie and was a murderer from the beginning (John 8:44Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
   See All...). On the other hand, God cannot be tempted with evil or wicked acts and He does not tempt any man to commit these acts (James 1:13-14 [13] Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: [14] But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
   See All...). God is holy and all that springs forth from Him is pure and good.
2. Second, though God is not the source of wickedness, He often uses the wicked to perform His own purpose (Psalm 76:10Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain.
   See All...). Here we learn that God will take man's wrath toward Him and turn it into praise. That wrath which is not to be turned into God's praise will be restrained.
3. The sending of evil spirits by the Lord may be more common in Scripture than you think.
1. In Psalm 78:49He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them.
   See All..., God judged Israel "by sending evil angels among them."
2. In Judges 9:23Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:
   See All..., "God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem."
3. In 1 Kings 22:22And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persude him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so.
   See All..., God sent a "lying spirit" in the mouth of the false prophets to send Ahab to his death.
4. In 1 Samuel 16:14-15 [14] But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him. [15] And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.
   See All..., God removed His Spirit from the disobedient Saul. This opened the door for an evil spirit to come and torment Saul.
4. What we see in these passages follows a pattern. When God removes His protective hand, He often turns the person over to Satan for destruction or to an evil spirit for torment. The Devil and the evil spirits do the work, but God has allowed them to do what comes naturally to them for His own purpose. God does not commit wickedness, but He uses the wicked for His purpose.
2. God’s Spirit departs (1 Samuel 16:14But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.
   See All...).
3. An evil spirit takes His place (1 Samuel 16:14But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.
   See All...; Judges 9:23Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech:
   See All...; 1 Kings 22:22And the LORD said unto him, Wherewith? And he said, I will go forth, and I will be a lying spirit in the mouth of all his prophets. And he said, Thou shalt persude him, and prevail also: go forth, and do so.
   See All...).
4. The evil spirit troubles Saul (1 Samuel 16:15And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.
   See All...; 1 Samuel 18:10And it came to pass on the morrow, that the evil spirit from God came upon Saul, and he prophesied in the midst of the house: and David played with his hand, as at other times: and there was a javelin in Saul's hand.
   See All...; 1 Samuel 19:9-10 [9] And the evil spirit from the LORD was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand: and David played with his hand. [10] And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin: but he slipped away out of Saul's presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night.
   See All...).
2. A Man to Play the Harp (1 Samuel 16:16-18 [16] Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well. [17] And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me. [18] Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him.
   See All...)
1. The recommendation of the servants (1 Samuel 16:16Let our lord now command thy servants, which are before thee, to seek out a man, who is a cunning player on an harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well.
   See All...)
1. Seek out a cunning player on a harp.
2. Have him play when the evil spirit is upon thee.
3. Note: Apparently it was thought that certain music would drive away evil spirits. Even the servants of Saul had some concept of the fact that music is spiritual. It can drive away evil spirits or it can draw in the evil spirits.
2. The request of the king (1 Samuel 16:17And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.
   See All...)
1. Provide a man that can play well.
2. Bring him to me.
3. The acquiring of David (1 Samuel 16:18Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the LORD is with him.
   See All...)
1. His talent in playing (1 Chronicles 13:8And David and all Israel played before God with all their might, and with singing, and with harps, and with psalteries, and with timbrels, and with cymbals, and with trumpets.
   See All...)
2. His ability in war (Psalm 144:1Blessed be the LORD my strength which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:
   See All...)
3. His character in matters (1 Samuel 18:14And David behaved himself wisely in all his ways; and the LORD was with him.
   See All...)
4. His position with God (1 Samuel 13:14But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.
   See All...; Acts 13:22And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave their testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.
   See All...)
4. Note: Notice how God providentially brings David to the royal court to learn of such matters.
4. DAVID PLAYS HIS HARP FOR SAUL (1 Samuel 16:19-23 [19] Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep. [20] And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul. [21] And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer. [22] And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight. [23] And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.
   See All...)
1. David Goes to Saul (1 Samuel 16:19-20 [19] Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep. [20] And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul.
   See All...).
1. Saul sends for David (1 Samuel 16:19Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep.
   See All...).
2. Jesse sends David unto Saul (1 Samuel 16:20And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul.
   See All...).
1. David comes to Saul.
2. He comes bearing gifts from Jesse.
1. Bread
2. Wine
3. A kid
2. David Becomes Saul’s Armourbearer (1 Samuel 16:21-22 [21] And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer. [22] And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight.
   See All...).
1. David finds favor (1 Samuel 16:21And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer.
   See All...).
1. David stands before Saul.
2. Saul loves him greatly.
3. He becomes Saul’s armourbearer.
2. Retained in the king’s court (1 Samuel 16:22And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight.
   See All...)
3. David Plays for Saul (1 Samuel 16:23And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.
   See All...).
1. David plays the harp
2. Saul is refreshed.
3. The evil spirit departs – temporarily.
4. Note: It was not just the opinion of Saul’s servants, but the music of David does indeed drive away the evil spirit from Saul.

CONCLUSION: When Saul was little in his own eyes (1 Samuel 15:17And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and the LORD anointed thee king over Israel?
See All...), God made him king. But he became proud when he was blessed and was rejected by the Lord. David was chosen as a man after God’s own heart. He was not perfect in his life, but he fully repented of his sins and never ceased to be a man after God’s own heart. Which of these men picture you? Which would you be?