Bible Strands
1 Samuel 16:13
So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Samuel anoints David in the presence of his brothers immediately after Jesse brings him in and the Lord confirms him as the chosen king. This act concludes the selection scene before Samuel departs for Ramah.
The words — וַ/יִּמְשַׁח (va/i.yim.Shach) translates to "and he anointed," marking the formal ritual act. קֶ֣רֶב (Ke.rev) means "in the midst of," indicating the anointing occurs publicly before the brothers.
The thread — The Spirit rushing upon a chosen figure echoes the earlier empowerment of Saul in 1 Samuel 10:6. The anointing motif also connects to the righteous ruler anointed above companions in Hebrews 1:9 and the Spirit given without limit in John 3:34.
Why it lands — The text records a physical ritual followed by a supernatural event, establishing David’s legitimacy before detailing Saul’s subsequent torment. It requires the reader to recognize that divine appointment operates through visible acts and invisible empowerment, not human merit.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.
Cross-references
- 1 Samuel 10:6 Then the Spirit of the LORD will rush upon you, and you will prophesy with them; and you will be transformed into a different person.
- Hebrews 1:9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You above Your companions with the oil of joy.”
- John 3:34 For the One whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit.
- 1 Samuel 10:1 Then Samuel took a flask of oil, poured it on Saul’s head, kissed him, and said, “Has not the LORD anointed you ruler over His inheritance?
- Numbers 27:18 And the LORD replied to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man with the Spirit in him, and lay your hands on him.
- Judges 11:29 Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jephthah, and he passed through Gilead and Manasseh, then through Mizpah of Gilead. And from there he advanced against the Ammonites.
- 1 Samuel 10:9 As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul’s heart, and all the signs came to pass that day.
- Judges 3:10 The Spirit of the LORD came upon him, and he became Israel’s judge and went out to war. And the LORD delivered Cushan-rishathaim king of Aram into the hand of Othniel, who prevailed against him.
- Judges 14:6 and the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon him, and he tore the lion apart with his bare hands as one would tear a young goat. But he did not tell his father or mother what he had done.
- Isaiah 11:1 Then a shoot will spring up from the stump of Jesse, and a Branch from his roots will bear fruit.