From Saul to David

Now, the time was transitioning from Saul to David. However, Samuel was grieving over the fact that Saul had been rejected by God. He was likely praying for the restoration of Saul’s kingship. Then God spoke to Samuel to comfort him by revealing who the next king would be. (1) Samuel was sent to the house of Jesse, a Bethlehemite. Jesse was the grandson of Boaz and Ruth, making his son David their great-grandson. (2) Jesse had several sons, but it was not yet clear who among them would be chosen as king. It would later be revealed that this person was David. (3) Saul was chosen by the people and became king as a result of their demand. However, this time, God Himself chose the individual to become king. There is a decisive difference in the selection process between the former and the latter.

Samuel’s fear

Hearing this, Samuel became afraid. At that time, he was living in Ramah, and in order to go to Bethlehem, he would have to pass through Gibeah, where Saul resided. If Saul found out why Samuel was going to Bethlehem, he would not let Samuel live. The Lord then advised Samuel to say that he was going to offer a sacrifice to the Lord. Is God advising him to lie? (1) Saul had forfeited his right to know the full plan of God. Hiding part of the truth from such a person does not constitute a lie. (2) This is the same principle that Jesus teaches in Matthew 10:16. “Behold, I am sending you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be as wary as serpents, and as innocent as doves.” Are you acting wary as a serpent and as innocent as a dove? The elders of Bethlehem became afraid when they saw Samuel coming. They thought that he came to pass judgement, since Samuel was also a judge. Samuel assured them that he had come in peace and then consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.