Then invite Jesse to the sacrificeIn the context of ancient Israel, sacrifices were central to worship and community life. Samuel, as a prophet, was instructed by God to invite Jesse, a resident of Bethlehem, to a sacrificial event. This invitation was significant because it set the stage for the anointing of David, who would become Israel's king. Bethlehem, a small town in Judah, is historically significant as the birthplace of David and later, Jesus Christ. The act of inviting Jesse highlights the importance of family lineage in God's plan, as Jesse was the father of David, from whose line the Messiah would come.
and I will show you what you are to do
This phrase underscores the theme of divine guidance and obedience. Samuel, despite being a seasoned prophet, was dependent on God's direction for his actions. This reflects the biblical principle that God's servants must rely on His wisdom rather than their own understanding. The phrase also indicates that God's plans are often revealed progressively, requiring faith and trust from His followers. This moment of divine instruction is pivotal, as it leads to the anointing of David, a key figure in biblical history.
You are to anoint for Me the one I indicate
Anointing in the Old Testament was a symbolic act of consecration, setting someone apart for a special role or task. In this context, Samuel was to anoint the future king of Israel. The phrase "for Me" emphasizes that the anointing was done on behalf of God, signifying divine selection and approval. This act prefigures the anointing of Jesus Christ, the ultimate King, who was also chosen by God. The anointing of David, a man after God's own heart, foreshadows the coming of Christ, who fulfills the Davidic covenant and reigns eternally.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
SamuelA prophet of God who is tasked with anointing the next king of Israel. He is obedient to God's instructions despite the potential danger from King Saul.
2.
JesseThe father of David, residing in Bethlehem. He is invited to the sacrifice as part of God's plan to reveal His chosen king.
3.
BethlehemA small town in Judah, significant as the birthplace of David and later, Jesus Christ. It is the setting for this pivotal event in Israel's history.
4.
AnointingA ceremonial act of consecration, symbolizing God's choice and empowerment. Samuel is instructed to anoint the one God indicates, marking divine selection and blessing.
5.
God's GuidanceThe event underscores God's sovereign choice and guidance in leadership, emphasizing His control over Israel's future.
Teaching Points
Obedience to God's InstructionsSamuel's willingness to follow God's command despite personal risk teaches us the importance of obedience in our walk with God.
God's Sovereignty in LeadershipThe anointing of David illustrates that God is in control of leadership and chooses according to His purposes, not human expectations.
The Importance of Spiritual DiscernmentSamuel's task required discernment to recognize God's chosen one, reminding us to seek God's guidance in our decisions.
God's Use of the Humble and UnlikelyDavid, a young shepherd, was chosen over his brothers, teaching us that God often uses those who seem least likely by human standards.
Trust in God's Timing and PlanThe process of anointing David, who would not become king immediately, encourages us to trust in God's timing and plan for our lives.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 1 Samuel 16:3?
2.How does 1 Samuel 16:3 demonstrate God's guidance in decision-making processes?
3.What role does obedience play in Samuel's actions in 1 Samuel 16:3?
4.How does 1 Samuel 16:3 connect to God's sovereignty throughout Scripture?
5.How can we discern God's will in our lives like Samuel did?
6.What practical steps can we take to prepare for God's guidance today?
7.What is the significance of God choosing David in 1 Samuel 16:3?
8.How does 1 Samuel 16:3 reflect God's sovereignty in leadership selection?
9.Why did God instruct Samuel to anoint a new king in 1 Samuel 16:3?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 16?
11.What are the names of David's brothers?
12.Who was Jesse in the Bible?
13.How do we reconcile 1 Samuel 16:7's emphasis on God looking at the heart with David's 'handsome' description in 16:12, suggesting external attributes mattered?
14.How does the timeline in Ruth 1:1 align with or contradict other biblical accounts of the era of the judges?What Does 1 Samuel 16:3 Mean
Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice• Samuel has just expressed fear that Saul will kill him if he goes to Bethlehem (1 Samuel 16:2). God’s instruction to hold a sacrificial feast provides a legitimate, worship-centered reason for Samuel’s visit, much like Samuel’s earlier public sacrifice at Mizpah (1 Samuel 7:9).
• Bringing Jesse places David’s family under the umbrella of the sacred gathering. This protects them from suspicion, just as Samuel once brought Saul to a sacrificial meal before privately anointing him (1 Samuel 9:12–24).
• Throughout Scripture, sacrifices often become settings for revelation—think of Gideon’s offering inJudges 6:19–24 or Solomon’s dedication sacrifices in1 Kings 8—showing that worship opens hearts to hear God’s voice.
and I will show you what you are to do• God promises step-by-step guidance, echoing His words to Abram (“Go … to the land that I will show you,”Genesis 12:1) and to Moses (“Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say,”Exodus 4:12).
• Samuel must move forward in faith, trusting that clarity will come in the moment of need. Similar divine direction appears when Philip is told, “Go south …” and only later discovers the Ethiopian official (Acts 8:26–29).
• The pattern: obedience first, details later. By withholding full disclosure, God keeps Samuel dependent on Him rather than on human insight, reflectingProverbs 3:5–6.
You are to anoint for Me the one I indicate• The phrase “for Me” reminds Samuel that kingship belongs to the LORD; David will be God’s choice, not the people’s (contrast1 Samuel 8:5).
• Anointing symbolizes divine appointment and empowerment (1 Samuel 10:1;Psalm 89:20). Oil marks the body, but the Spirit marks the heart (1 Samuel 16:13).
• God’s method underscores His sovereignty: He selects “the one I indicate,” not the eldest or the most impressive (see1 Samuel 16:7). This principle resurfaces when God chooses unlikely leaders such as Gideon (Judges 6:15) and the apostles (Acts 4:13).
summaryGod instructs Samuel to gather Jesse’s family at a sacrificial feast, promising to guide each step and reveal His chosen king. Samuel’s role is simple: obey, watch, and anoint the one God points out. The verse models worship-centered obedience, moment-by-moment dependence on divine direction, and confidence that the LORD sovereignly raises up leaders for His purposes.
(3)
And thou shalt anoint.--From very early times the ceremony of anointing to important offices was customary among the Hebrews. In the first instance, all the priests were anointed (
Exodus 40:15;
Numbers 3:3), but afterwards anointing seems to have been reserved especially for the high priest (
Exodus 29:29). Prophets also seem occasionally to have been anointed to their holy office. Anointing, however, was the principal ceremony in the inauguration of the Hebrew kings. It belonged in so especial a manner to the royal functions that the favourite designation for the king in Israel was "the Lord's anointed." In the case of David, the ceremony of anointing was performed three times--(1) on this occasion by Samuel, when the boy was set apart for the service of the Lord; (2) when appointed king over Judah at Hebron (
2Samuel 2:4); (3) when chosen as monarch over all Israel (
2Samuel 5:3). All these official personages, the priest, the prophet, and peculiarly the king, were types of the great expected Deliverer, ever known as the "Messiah," "the Christ," "the Anointed One."
Wordsworth curiously considers these three successive unctions of David figurative of the successive unctions of Christ: conceived by the Holy Ghost in the Virgin's womb; then anointed publicly at his baptism; and finally, set at God's right hand as King of the Universal Church in the heavenly Jerusalem. . . .
Verses 3-5. -
Call Jesse to the sacrifice. The word used is
zebach, and means a sacrifice followed by a feast, at which all the elders of the town, and with them Jesse and his elder sons, would be present by the prophet's invitation. It is plain that such sacrifices were not unusual, or Saul would have demanded a reason for Samuel's conduct. As the ark remained so long in obscurity at Kirjath-jearim, and the solemn services of the tabernacle were not restored until Saul at some period of his reign removed it to Nob, possibly Samuel may have instituted this practice of occasionally holding sacrifices, now at one place and now at another, to keep alive a sense of religion in the hearts of the people; and probably on such occasions he taught them the great truths of the law, thus combining in his person the offices of prophet and priest. Nevertheless,
the elders of the town trembled at his coming. More literally, "went with trembling to meet him." Very probably such visitations often took place because some crime had been committed into which Samuel wished to inquire, or because the people had been negligent in some duty. And though conscious of no such fault, yet at the coming of one of such high rank their minds foreboded evil. He quiets, however, their fears and bids them
sanctify themselves;
i.e. they were to wash and purify themselves, and abstain from everything unclean, and put on their festal garments (
Exodus 19:10; and comp.
1 Samuel 21:5). It is added,
He sanctified Jesse and his sons,
i.e. he took especial care that no legal impurity on their part should stand in the way of the execution of his errand.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Then inviteוְקָרָ֥אתָ(wə·qā·rā·ṯā)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 7121:To call, proclaim, readJesseלְיִשַׁ֖י(lə·yi·šay)Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3448:Jesse -- father of Davidto the sacrifice,בַּזָּ֑בַח(baz·zā·ḇaḥ)Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2077:A slaughter, the flesh of an animal, a sacrificeand Iוְאָֽנֹכִ֗י(wə·’ā·nō·ḵî)Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 595:Iwill show youאוֹדִֽיעֲךָ֙(’ō·w·ḏî·‘ă·ḵā)Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - first person common singular | second person masculine singular
Strong's 3045:To knowwhatאֲשֶֽׁר־(’ă·šer-)Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834:Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order thatyou are to do.תַּעֲשֶׂ֔ה(ta·‘ă·śeh)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6213:To do, makeYou are to anointוּמָשַׁחְתָּ֣(ū·mā·šaḥ·tā)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 4886:To rub with oil, to anoint, to consecrate, to paintfor Meלִ֔י(lî)Preposition | first person common singular
Strong's Hebrewthe oneאֲשֶׁר־(’ă·šer-)Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834:Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order thatI indicate.”אֹמַ֖ר(’ō·mar)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 559:To utter, say
Links
1 Samuel 16:3 NIV1 Samuel 16:3 NLT1 Samuel 16:3 ESV1 Samuel 16:3 NASB1 Samuel 16:3 KJV
1 Samuel 16:3 BibleApps.com1 Samuel 16:3 Biblia Paralela1 Samuel 16:3 Chinese Bible1 Samuel 16:3 French Bible1 Samuel 16:3 Catholic Bible
OT History: 1 Samuel 16:3 Call Jesse to the sacrifice and (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) 
