1 Samuel - Odessa, Missouri Community of Christ
1 Samuel - Odessa, Missouri Community of Christ
1 Samuel - Odessa, Missouri Community of Christ
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2007 Edition Dr. Constable's Notes on 1 <strong>Samuel</strong> 65Spirit came on David, remained with him from then on, and empowered him for service(cf. Matt. 3:16-17). 196Verse 13 records <strong>Samuel</strong>'s departure for his home in Ramah. At this point in the book hebecomes a minor figure who no longer plays an active role in the progress <strong>of</strong> events. Hisanointing <strong>of</strong> David, therefore, was the climax and capstone <strong>of</strong> his career.David's introduction to the royal court 16:14-23"In addition to being the middle chapter <strong>of</strong> 1 <strong>Samuel</strong>, chapter 16 is pivotalin another way as well: Its first half (vv. 1-13), ending with a statementconcerning David's reception <strong>of</strong> the Spirit <strong>of</strong> God, describes David'sanointing as ruler <strong>of</strong> Israel to replace Saul; its second half (vv. 14-23),beginning with a statement concerning Saul's loss <strong>of</strong> the Spirit and itsreplacement with an 'evil spirit' sent by God, describes David's arrival inthe court <strong>of</strong> Saul. Thus the juxtaposition <strong>of</strong> vv. 13 and 14 delineates notonly the transfer <strong>of</strong> the divine blessing and empowerment from Saul toDavid but also the beginning <strong>of</strong> the effective displacement <strong>of</strong> Saul byDavid as king <strong>of</strong> Israel. The transition at vv. 13-14 can thus be arguablydefined as the literary, historical, and theological crux <strong>of</strong> 1 <strong>Samuel</strong> as awhole." 197Verse 14 describes God's relationship to Saul following the Lord's rejection <strong>of</strong> him.Yahweh had less and less contact with His faithless representative. His empoweringSpirit left him without the divine enablement that he had once enjoyed (cf. Judg. 9:23;16:20; 1 Kings 22:21-23; Ps. 51:11)."When YHWH's Spirit came upon David his anointer [<strong>Samuel</strong>] left,leaving him in good hands. When YHWH's Spirit left Saul an evil spiritcame upon him, leaving him in dire straits." 198The evil spirit that Yahweh permitted to trouble Saul has been the subject <strong>of</strong> considerableinterest among Bible students. It may have been a spirit <strong>of</strong> discontent (cf. Judg. 9:23), ademon who afflicted him periodically (cf. 1 Kings 22:20-23), or a demon who indwelthim from then on. 199 In any case it was a discipline for departing from God. When peopledepart from God, their troubles really begin."Saul's evil bent was by the permission and plan <strong>of</strong> God. We must realizethat in the last analysis all penal consequences come from God, as theAuthor <strong>of</strong> the moral law and the one who always does what is right." 200196 On the significance <strong>of</strong> anointing, see my comments on 10:1.197 Youngblood, p. 682.198 David M. Howard Jr., "The Transfer <strong>of</strong> Power From Saul to David in 1 Sam 16:13-14," Journal <strong>of</strong> theEvangelical Theological Society 32:4 (1989):481.199 See John Davis and John Whitcomb, A History <strong>of</strong> Israel, p. 224; Wood, Israel's United . . ., p. 149.200 Gleason L. Archer Jr., Encyclopedia <strong>of</strong> Bible Difficulties, p. 180.