1 Samuel 16:1 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The LORD calls Samuel out of his grief over Saul and sends him to Bethlehem, where God has already chosen a king from among Jesse's sons.
What Does 1 Samuel 16:1 Mean?
Samuel has been mourning King Saul, whose disobedience cost him the throne. God interrupts that sorrow with a question and a commission: stop grieving the past, fill your horn with oil, and go anoint the king I have provided. The prophet is sent to an ordinary household in Bethlehem.
God does not leave His people leaderless. Before Samuel sets out, the choice is already made; the king is 'provided' before anyone knows his name. The same God who closes one door opens another, and He moves history forward even while His servant still weeps. Faith answers the call to go, trusting that the LORD has gone ahead.
1 Samuel 16:1 in the Original Language
ra'ah (רָאָה), 'provided' -- the verb means to see, and so to see to, to look out and select for oneself in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 16:1
What does 1 Samuel 16:1 mean?
The LORD calls Samuel out of his grief over Saul and sends him to Bethlehem, where God has already chosen a king from among Jesse's sons.