18: I have selected a king for myself ( 1Samuel 16:1 – 23)

King Saul was chosen based on the people's criteria—a warrior king. After Saul's failure, the Lord chose David, revealing the kind of king He desired. David also foreshadowed the future King whom God ultimately intended to send.

👉 Read 1Samuel 16:1 - 23


Q1. When the Lord told Samuel to go and anoint a new king, why was he afraid of doing so? (v2, 4)

Saul might have killed Samuel if he knew. 

At this point, we see that Saul became obsessed with holding onto the throne after being told that God had rejected him. But what a striking reality—should the prophet, entrusted with the Lord’s work, be so deeply concerned about the very king whom the Lord anointed? From this moment in Israel’s history, kings became dominant figures who not only influenced the people's spiritual lives but also posed a threat to the ministers of the Lord.



Q2. Why did God reject the three oldest sons of Jesse?

Their hearts were not ready. God sees the heart. 

Even Samuel focused on human appearance. This means, no one can see through a person's heart as God does.

The same reason Saul was acceptable in his outlook. He was chosen by the outlook that people desired. But David was chosen by heart.



Q3. In 1&2 Samuel, we see the Sovereign God who raises up and brings down. Find supporting verses for the following two statements. 1) They treated David as unimportant. 2) However, God raised him up.  

V11 first part

V11 second part, v13



Q4. After David's anointing, what happened to Saul and David? (v13, v18, v14, v23)

The Lord's spirit was upon David

An evil spirit from the Lord came upon Saul.

Pouring of the Spirit follows anointing as it was so with Saul.




While Saul was still on the throne, the Lord Himself chose David. While everyone didn’t pay attention to him, the Lord saw his heart and chose. And the Spirit of the Lord rushed upon David from that time on. 

God intended to inaugurate His Kingdom through Jesus Christ, not Saul nor David. But the Lord granted them to start the dynasty upon their persistent request. However, all other kings were temporary before the True King came. Some of them partially foreshadowed the Future King.

After Saul's failure, the Lord chose David, showing that wholehearted devotion is what He desires in His servant—a key trait of the Future King, the Messiah. David's suffering also foreshadowed that of the Messiah; just as David was persecuted by King Saul, He would be rejected by the authorities.

People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. For His Spirit will reside in the heart. 

Only God can raise and equip His servant, for He alone sees the heart.


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