1 Samuel 16:2 Meaning and Explanation
“And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →Samuel fears that anointing a new king will cost him his life, and the LORD gives him a true and lawful reason for the journey.
What Does 1 Samuel 16:2 Mean?
Anointing a rival king while Saul still reigns is a dangerous errand, and Samuel says so plainly. God meets his fear not with rebuke but with instruction: bring a heifer and offer sacrifice. The sacrifice is genuine, and so is the anointing it will conceal; Samuel is not told to lie but to keep his fuller purpose hidden.
Even prophets feel fear, and God is patient with honest dread. He answers Samuel's 'How can I go?' with a way to go. Obedience does not always require recklessness; here wisdom and worship travel together. The LORD provides cover for His servant, showing that He guards those He sends on His errands.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Samuel 16:2
What does 1 Samuel 16:2 mean?
Samuel fears that anointing a new king will cost him his life, and the LORD gives him a true and lawful reason for the journey.