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1 Samuel 16:19

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 16:19 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, who is with the sheep.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, who is with the sheep.
1 Samuel 16:19 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 16

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
17And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me.
18Then answered one of the young men, and said, Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Beth-lehemite, that is skilful in playing, and a mighty man of valor, and a man of war, and prudent in speech, and a comely person; and Jehovah is with him.
19Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, who is with the sheep.
20And Jesse took an ass [laden] with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul.
21And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armorbearer.
22And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favor in my sight.
← 1 Samuel 16:181 Samuel 16:20 →
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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
“Wherefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse, etc.] For David; not choosing to take him without his leave, though Samuel suggests that kings would do so, (<090811>1 Samuel 8:11) and said, send me David, thy son, which is with the sheep; he had learnt his name, and what was his employment; and which last he mentions not by way of contempt, it not being reckoned mean and despicable even in the sons of great personages, in those times and countries, to attend flocks and herds: so with the Arabs, as Philo f331 testifies, young men and maids of the most illustrious families fed cattle; and with the ancient Romans, the senator f332 fed his own sheep. Paris, son of Priamus, king of Troy, is said f333 to…”
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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
“Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David--In the East the command of a king is imperative; and Jesse, however reluctant and alarmed, had no alternative but to comply.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“with the sheep: Sa1 16:11, Sa1 17:15, Sa1 17:33, Sa1 17:34; Exo 3:1-10; Kg1 19:19; Psa 78:70-72, Psa 113:8; Amo 1:1, Amo 7:14, Amo 7:15; Mat 4:18-22 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 16:20”
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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