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1 Samuel 16:13

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 16:13 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of Jehovah came mightily upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of Jehovah came mightily upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.
1 Samuel 16:13 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 16

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10And Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Jehovah hath not chosen these.
11And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he is keeping the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him; for we will not sit down till he come hither.
12And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look upon. And Jehovah said, Arise, anoint him; for this is he.
13Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of Jehovah came mightily upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.
14Now the Spirit of Jehovah departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from Jehovah troubled him.
15And Saul`s servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee.
16Let our lord now command thy servants, that are before thee, to seek out a man who is a skilful player on the harp: and it shall come to pass, when the evil spirit from God is upon thee, that he shall play with his hand, and thou shalt be well.
← 1 Samuel 16:121 Samuel 16:14 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then Samuel took the horn of oil, etc.] Out of his pocket, which he brought along with him by the direction of God: and anointed him in the midst of his brethren; not in the presence of them, they sitting around, or standing by and seeing the ceremony performed; which is not consistent with the secrecy with which Samuel was directed to manage this affair, and which was necessary to observe, to keep it from the knowledge of Saul; and with Eliab’s treatment of David afterwards, who would never have addressed him in the manner he did, had he known that he was anointed king, (<091728>1 Samuel 17:28) but the sense is, according to Kimchi and Abarbinel, that he was selected out of them, and…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him--This transaction must have been strictly private.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“The Spirit ... came upon David - The exact phrase used of the Judges and Saul. See 1 Samuel 10:6, note; Judges 3:10, note; Judges 6:34, note; Judges 11:29, note; Judges 14:18, note; Judges 15:14, note. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Anointed him - David's brethren saw David's unction, yet did not understand, that he was anointed to the kingdom; but were only told by Samuel, that he was anointed to some great service, which hereafter they should know. Thus Jesse only, and David, understood the whole business, and his brethren were able to attest to that act of Samuel's anointing him, which, with other collateral evidences, was abundantly sufficient to prove David's right to the kingdom, if need should be. The spirit, &c, - That is, he was immediately endowed with extraordinary gifts of God's Spirit, as strength, and courage, and wisdom, and other excellent qualities which fitted him for, and put him upon noble attempts.…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“16:13 The Spirit of the Lord came . . . upon David, as was consistently evident (e.g., 16:23; 17:48-54; 18:5, 12-16). The Spirit of the Lord had also come upon Saul (10:10) but had left him because of disobedience (16:14). • Ramah: Samuel’s hometown (1:1).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“anointed: Sa1 10:1; Kg2 9:6 the Spirit: Sa1 16:18, Sa1 10:6, Sa1 10:9, Sa1 10:10; Num 11:17, Num 27:18; Jdg 3:10, Jdg 11:29, Jdg 13:25, Jdg 14:6; Isa 11:1-3; Joh 3:34; Heb 1:9 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 16:14”
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Related study paths

Read 1 Samuel 16 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification