What does 1 Samuel 16:19 mean?

"¶ Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep." - 1 Samuel 16:19

"¶ Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep." - 1 Samuel 16:19

The verse 1 Samuel 16:19 from the King James Version of the Bible reads, "Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep." This verse comes from the Old Testament and is part of the story of David, who would later become the second king of Israel. This verse is part of a pivotal moment in David's life, as it marks the beginning of his relationship with King Saul and his journey toward kingship.

To understand the context of this verse, we must look at the events that led up to it. In the previous chapter, Samuel, the prophet, had been sent by God to the house of Jesse in Bethlehem to anoint one of his sons as the next king of Israel, as God had rejected Saul as king due to his disobedience. When Samuel arrived, he asked Jesse to bring his sons before him. Jesse brought seven of his sons before Samuel, but none of them were chosen by God. Finally, Samuel asked if there were any more sons, and Jesse revealed that the youngest, David, was out tending the sheep. When David was brought before Samuel, God revealed that he was the one who would be anointed as the next king.

In 1 Samuel 16:19, we see the aftermath of this anointing. Saul, who was still reigning as king, had been troubled by an evil spirit, and he sought someone to play the harp for him in order to soothe his troubled soul. It was then that Saul's servants suggested that David, the son of Jesse, was a skillful player of the harp and a valiant man. This is a significant moment for David, as it marks the beginning of his relationship with Saul and the royal court, which would eventually lead to his rise to power.

This verse is filled with themes that run throughout the Bible. One of the most prominent themes is the idea of divine providence and God's sovereignty. The fact that David, the youngest and seemingly least significant of Jesse's sons, was chosen by God to be the next king of Israel demonstrates that God's ways are not always the ways of humans. This theme is seen repeatedly in the Bible, as God often chooses the least likely individuals to carry out his plans and accomplish his purposes. This verse also highlights the idea of obedience to God's will, as both Samuel and David are obedient to God's calling and anointing.

Additionally, this verse introduces the theme of the relationship between Saul and David, which is a central focus of the narrative in the books of 1 and 2 Samuel. This relationship is complex and multifaceted, as David is both a servant and a threat to Saul. Saul initially welcomes David into his service and even offers him his own armor, but as David gains popularity and success on the battlefield, Saul grows increasingly jealous and paranoid, ultimately leading to a fractured and tumultuous relationship between the two.

In terms of symbolism, this verse can be seen as a foreshadowing of David's future role as the future king and his ability to bring comfort and relief to the troubled soul of Saul through his musical talents. This foreshadowing is significant in understanding the trajectory of the narrative and the ultimate fulfillment of God's plan through David's kingship.

In conclusion, 1 Samuel 16:19 is a verse that marks a significant turning point in the life of David and sets the stage for the unfolding drama of his rise to kingship. This verse is rich in themes of divine providence, obedience to God's will, and the complex relationships between characters. It also serves as a powerful foreshadowing of events to come. Overall, this verse is a crucial piece of the larger narrative of David's life and the unfolding of God's purposes in the history of Israel.

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1 Samuel 16:19 - "¶ Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep."

1 Samuel 16:19 - "¶ Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep."

"¶ Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep." - 1 Samuel 16:19

"¶ Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep." - 1 Samuel 16:19

1 Samuel 19:16 - "And when the messengers were come in, behold, there was an image in the bed, with a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster."

1 Samuel 19:16 - "And when the messengers were come in, behold, there was an image in the bed, with a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster."

Soothing the Soul: The Gospel of Gentle Care
1 Kings 19:3-8; 1 Samuel 16:14-23

Soothing the Soul: The Gospel of Gentle Care 1 Kings 19:3-8; 1 Samuel 16:14-23

Soothing the Soul: The Gospel of Gentle Care
1 Kings 19:3-8; 1 Samuel 16:14-23

Soothing the Soul: The Gospel of Gentle Care 1 Kings 19:3-8; 1 Samuel 16:14-23

1 Samuel 19:19 - "And it was told Saul, saying, Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah."

1 Samuel 19:19 - "And it was told Saul, saying, Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah."

1 Samuel 16:1–13

1 Samuel 16:1–13

"And when the messengers were come in, behold, there was an image in the bed, with a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster." - 1 Samuel 19:16

"And when the messengers were come in, behold, there was an image in the bed, with a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster." - 1 Samuel 19:16

2 Samuel 19:16 - "¶ And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite, which was of Bahurim, hasted and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David."

2 Samuel 19:16 - "¶ And Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite, which was of Bahurim, hasted and came down with the men of Judah to meet king David."

1 Samuel 3:16 - "Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I."

1 Samuel 3:16 - "Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I."

1 Samuel 3:19 - "¶ And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground."

1 Samuel 3:19 - "¶ And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground."

1 Samuel 28:15-19

1 Samuel 28:15-19

1 Samuel 19:18 - "¶ So David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth."

1 Samuel 19:18 - "¶ So David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth."

1 Samuel 8:19 - "¶ Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us;"

1 Samuel 8:19 - "¶ Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us;"

1 Samuel 16:10 - "Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these."

1 Samuel 16:10 - "Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these."

Exodus 19:16-20

Exodus 19:16-20

1 Samuel 19:1 - "And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David."

1 Samuel 19:1 - "And Saul spake to Jonathan his son, and to all his servants, that they should kill David."

2 Samuel 19:1 - "And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom."

2 Samuel 19:1 - "And it was told Joab, Behold, the king weepeth and mourneth for Absalom."

1 Samuel 16:8 - "Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this."

1 Samuel 16:8 - "Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this."

"And it was told Saul, saying, Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah." - 1 Samuel 19:19

"And it was told Saul, saying, Behold, David is at Naioth in Ramah." - 1 Samuel 19:19

1 Samuel 28:16 - "Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?"

1 Samuel 28:16 - "Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?"

1 Samuel 19:14 - "And when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, He is sick."

1 Samuel 19:14 - "And when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, He is sick."

1 Samuel 17:19 - "Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines."

1 Samuel 17:19 - "Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines."

1 Samuel 16:4 - "And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Beth-lehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?"

1 Samuel 16:4 - "And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Beth-lehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?"

1 Chronicles 16:19 - "When ye were but few, even a few, and strangers in it."

1 Chronicles 16:19 - "When ye were but few, even a few, and strangers in it."

1 Samuel 16:13 - "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."

1 Samuel 16:13 - "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."

2 Samuel 16:19 - "And again, whom should I serve? should I not serve in the presence of his son? as I have served in thy father's presence, so will I be in thy presence."

2 Samuel 16:19 - "And again, whom should I serve? should I not serve in the presence of his son? as I have served in thy father's presence, so will I be in thy presence."

2 Samuel 1:19 - "The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen!"

2 Samuel 1:19 - "The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen!"

1 Samuel 15:16 - "Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on."

1 Samuel 15:16 - "Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on."

1 Samuel 19:22 - "Then went he also to Ramah, and came to a great well that is in Sechu: and he asked and said, Where are Samuel and David? And one said, Behold, they be at Naioth in Ramah."

1 Samuel 19:22 - "Then went he also to Ramah, and came to a great well that is in Sechu: and he asked and said, Where are Samuel and David? And one said, Behold, they be at Naioth in Ramah."