1Sa 16:3 | KingComments | STEP | Samuel has objections. He has sorrow and soul pain because of Saul’s rejection, and at the same time he is afraid of Saul. He became an enemy to Saul, but Saul has not become an enemy to him. With Samuel there are no feelings of enmity against Saul. Samuel has not shown the slightest fear in previous encounters with Saul. He fearlessly told Saul that God is taking the kingship from him and giving it to his neighbor. Perhaps Samuel has already had to deal with a tantrum from Saul, as we see later in this chapter. If it turns out that he anointed another king, Saul’s rage is predictable. The LORD does not blame Samuel for his fear but meets it. He gives him protection: a sacrificial animal as a peace offering. The sacrificial animal that Samuel must take with him is not only for himself. It also serves to have a sacrificial meal with it, for which he must invite Jesse. During that meal God will tell whom Samuel should anoint. With His indications about the sacrificial animal God – in picture – brings His Son to Samuel and Jesse and his family to show what the basis is on which He deals with him and them.

‏ 1 Samuel 16:3

Samuel Has Objections

Samuel has objections. He has sorrow and soul pain because of Saul’s rejection, and at the same time he is afraid of Saul. He became an enemy to Saul, but Saul has not become an enemy to him. With Samuel there are no feelings of enmity against Saul.

Samuel has not shown the slightest fear in previous encounters with Saul. He fearlessly told Saul that God is taking the kingship from him and giving it to his neighbor. Perhaps Samuel has already had to deal with a tantrum from Saul, as we see later in this chapter. If it turns out that he anointed another king, Saul’s rage is predictable.

The LORD does not blame Samuel for his fear but meets it. He gives him protection: a sacrificial animal as a peace offering. The sacrificial animal that Samuel must take with him is not only for himself. It also serves to have a sacrificial meal with it, for which he must invite Jesse. During that meal God will tell whom Samuel should anoint. With His indications about the sacrificial animal God – in picture – brings His Son to Samuel and Jesse and his family to show what the basis is on which He deals with him and them.