1 Samuel - Odessa, Missouri Community of Christ

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64 Dr. Constable's Notes on 1 Samuel 2007 EditionSamuel judged Jesse's sons by their external qualities just as the Israelites judged Saulacceptable because of those characteristics (v. 6). Verse 7 clarifies how God evaluatespeople, namely, on the basis of their hearts (affections), not their appearance or abilities(cf. Matt. 3:17; Mark 10:31; 1 Cor. 1:27). As He had done earlier in Scriptural history,God chose the son that was not the natural choice showing that He does not bind Himselfto what is traditional. It is unusual that Jesse did not have David present for Samuel'sinspection since he too was one of his sons. 190 This may suggest that Jesse did not thinkas highly of David as he did of his other sons (cf. Ps. 27:10, where David wrote of hisparents forsaking him). Was David a neglected or even an abused child that his fatherviewed more as hired help than as a son?"It's remarkable, isn't it, how Jesse reveals two very common mistakesparents make. Number one, he didn't have an equal appreciation for all ofhis children. And number two, he failed to cultivate a mutual self-respectamong them. Jesse saw his youngest as nothing more than the one whotended the sheep." 191"The shepherd/flock image is a kind of Leitmotif for David from this pointon. . . . The book's last story shows David deeply concerned for the flock[2 Sam. 24:17]." 192David (probably meaning "beloved of the Lord") was physically attractive (v. 12; cf. Isa.53:2). Nevertheless God did not choose him for that reason but because of God'ssovereign election and because of David's heart attitude. 193"What does it mean to be a person after God's own heart? Seems to me, itmeans that you are a person whose life is in harmony with the Lord. Whatis important to Him is important to you. What burdens Him burdens you.When He says, 'God to the right,' you go to the right. When He says, 'Stopthat in your life,' you stop it. When He says, 'This is wrong and I want youto change,' you come to terms with it because you have a heart forGod." 194David and his family were the first after Samuel to learn that he would be the next king,or perhaps that he would become Samuel's successor, as Elisha became to Elijah. 195 Intime all Israel would learn that David would become the next king as he became theinstrument through whom God blessed the nation. He became successful because God's190 Jesse had eight sons (17:12; cf. 1 Chron. 2:13-15; 27:18).191 Swindoll, p. 20.192 S. D. Walters, "The Light and the Dark," in Ascribe to the Lord: Biblical and Other Studies in Memoryof Peter C. Craigie, p. 574, n. 17. A leitmotif, literally a leading or guiding motive, is a phrase or imagerepresenting and recurring with a given character, situation, or emotion in a piece of literature or music.193 God's sovereign election to salvation does not depend on human initiative (Rom. 9:16), but Hissovereign election to service does (1 Tim. 1:12).194 Swindoll, p. 6.195 Young, p. 286.
2007 Edition Dr. Constable's Notes on 1 Samuel 65Spirit came on David, remained with him from then on, and empowered him for service(cf. Matt. 3:16-17). 196Verse 13 records Samuel'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 of events. Hisanointing of David, therefore, was the climax and capstone of his career.David's introduction to the royal court 16:14-23"In addition to being the middle chapter of 1 Samuel, chapter 16 is pivotalin another way as well: Its first half (vv. 1-13), ending with a statementconcerning David's reception of the Spirit of God, describes David'sanointing as ruler of Israel to replace Saul; its second half (vv. 14-23),beginning with a statement concerning Saul's loss of the Spirit and itsreplacement with an 'evil spirit' sent by God, describes David's arrival inthe court of Saul. Thus the juxtaposition of vv. 13 and 14 delineates notonly the transfer of the divine blessing and empowerment from Saul toDavid but also the beginning of the effective displacement of Saul byDavid as king of Israel. The transition at vv. 13-14 can thus be arguablydefined as the literary, historical, and theological crux of 1 Samuel as awhole." 197Verse 14 describes God's relationship to Saul following the Lord's rejection of 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 [Samuel] 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 of considerableinterest among Bible students. It may have been a spirit of 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 of God. We must realizethat in the last analysis all penal consequences come from God, as theAuthor of the moral law and the one who always does what is right." 200196 On the significance of anointing, see my comments on 10:1.197 Youngblood, p. 682.198 David M. Howard Jr., "The Transfer of Power From Saul to David in 1 Sam 16:13-14," Journal of theEvangelical Theological Society 32:4 (1989):481.199 See John Davis and John Whitcomb, A History of Israel, p. 224; Wood, Israel's United . . ., p. 149.200 Gleason L. Archer Jr., Encyclopedia of Bible Difficulties, p. 180.
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1 Samuel - Odessa, Missouri Community of Christ

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