1 Samuel 16:18 - Printer Friendly

ESV: One of the young men answered, "Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a man of good presence, and the Lord is with him."

NIV: One of the servants answered, "I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with him."

NASB: Then one of the young men responded and said, 'Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is a skillful musician, a valiant mighty man, a warrior, skillful in speech, and a handsome man; and the Lord is with him.'

CSB: One of the young men answered, "I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is also a valiant man, a warrior, eloquent, handsome, and the Lord is with him."

NLT: One of the servants said to Saul, 'One of Jesse’s sons from Bethlehem is a talented harp player. Not only that — he is a brave warrior, a man of war, and has good judgment. He is also a fine-looking young man, and the Lord is with him.'

KJV: Then answered one of the servants, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, that is cunning in playing, and a mighty valiant man, and a man of war, and prudent in matters, and a comely person, and the Lord is with him.

NKJV: Then one of the servants answered and said, “Look, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the Lord is with him.”

God has removed His Spirit from Saul, after rejecting him as king (1 Samuel 13:11–14; 15:17–29). Now a harmful spirit is afflicting Saul (1 Samuel 16:14). Likely this is a demon whom God has allowed to torment the sitting king due to his disobedience. Saul's servants likely do not know that Saul has been rejected by God, and Saul will retain the throne for at least another ten years. But his servants are aware of the affliction and have suggested Saul retain a musician to help (1 Samuel 16:15–16). Saul has agreed and asked them to find a skilled musician (1 Samuel 16:17).

One of the servants already has someone in mind. The servant says that he has seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is a skilled musician, a man of sound character, and with whom God is present.

The implication is that this young man has seen David play the lyre and play it well. David will become famous for his musical ability, including writing many of the psalms. David is not just a good musician, though. He is also known as a man of valor, a man of war, prudent in speech, having a good presence, and having the Lord with him. That's quite a description and all desirable qualities for someone who would be so close to the king. David has strength, wisdom and discretion, and a pleasing appearance. More importantly, God is with him.

Some commentators suggest that perhaps the description is meant to be applied to the family, in general, or to Jesse. Based on the events in 1 Samuel 17, it seems likely that David was not old enough to have been a trained warrior. But he does seem to have had a growing reputation as an outstanding person favored by the Lord.

First Samuel 16:14–23 finds King Saul tormented by a harmful spirit sent by God. The Lord's Spirit has left him. Saul's servants are aware of the afflicting spirit and suggest that music would soothe the king during the times of torment. He asks them to recruit a skillful musician to play the lyre when he is affected. One of the servants suggests David, whom he knows to be skilled with the lyre and reputable in character. The servant also recognizes that the Lord is with Samuel. Saul agrees and sends messengers to Jesse. The king quickly comes to love David and even makes him his armor-bearer. When David plays, the harmful spirit leaves. David becomes a permanent servant of the king.

The Lord sends Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint one of Jesse's sons as king. The Lord reveals His choice to be David, Jesse's youngest son. Samuel anoints the young man. God's Spirit comes on David but departs from King Saul. When the Lord sends a harmful spirit on Saul, his servant suggests that the king recruit David to play the lyre whenever Saul is tormented. Saul does so, and he quickly bonds with David, making the young man his armor-bearer.

First Samuel 16 introduces David to the story of Israel's kings. David is the son of Jesse, who is the grandson of Ruth (Ruth 4:21–22). He will be anointed king as the Lord has rejected Saul (1 Samuel 15:26). The Lord's Spirit leaves Saul and comes to David (1 Samuel 16:13–14); this is different from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in believers today (John 14:26; 2 Timothy 1:14). David becomes a beloved musician and servant to Saul, but the king's heart will become violently jealous (1 Samuel 18:8, 11).

First Samuel introduces the key figures who led Israel after the era of the judges. The books of 1 and 2 Samuel were originally part of a single text, split in certain translations shortly before the birth of Christ. Some of the Bible’s most famous characters are depicted in this book. These including the prophet Samuel, Israel’s first king, Saul, her greatest king, David, and other famous names such as Goliath and Jonathan. By the end of this book, Saul has fallen; the book of 2 Samuel begins with David’s ascension to the throne.