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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/16.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_samuel/16.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Then Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, &#8220Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/16.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />So Saul sent messengers to Jesse to say, “Send me your son David, the shepherd.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_samuel/16.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me David your son, who is with the sheep.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/16.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/16.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which <i>is</i> with the sheep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_samuel/16.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, “Send me your son David, who <i>is</i> with the sheep.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_samuel/16.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Saul sent messengers to Jesse to say, “Send me your son David, who is with the flock.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/16.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, &#8220Send me your son David who is with the flock.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_samuel/16.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />So Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, “Send me your son David who is with the flock.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_samuel/16.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David who is with the flock.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_samuel/16.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me David your son, who is with the flock.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_samuel/16.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Saul dispatched messengers to Jesse and said, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_samuel/16.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then Saul dispatched messengers to Jesse and said, &#8220Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.&#8221<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_samuel/16.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, who is with the sheep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_samuel/16.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Saul sent a message to Jesse: "Tell your son David to leave your sheep and come here to me." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_samuel/16.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_samuel/16.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Saul sent messengers to Jesse to say, "Send me your son David, who is with the sheep."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_samuel/16.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />So Saul sent messengers to Jesse to say, "Send me your son David, the one who takes care of the sheep." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_samuel/16.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, "Send me your son David, who is with the sheep."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_samuel/16.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, ?Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_samuel/16.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, "Send me your son David, who is out with the sheep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_samuel/16.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, "Send me David your son, who is with the sheep."<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_samuel/16.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Wherefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, Send to me David thy son, who is with the sheep.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_samuel/16.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, “Send me David your son, who is with the sheep.” <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_samuel/16.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Saul sends messengers to Jesse and says, “Send to me your son David, who [is] with the flock.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_samuel/16.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Saul sendeth messengers unto Jesse, and saith, 'Send unto me David thy son, who is with the flock.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_samuel/16.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Saul will send messengers to Jesse, and he will say, Send to me David thy son who is with the sheep.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_samuel/16.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Then Saul sent messengers to Isai, saying: Send me David thy son, who is in the pastures. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_samuel/16.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Therefore, Saul sent messengers to Jesse, saying, “Send to me your son David, who is in the pastures.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_samuel/16.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Accordingly, Saul dispatched messengers to ask Jesse to send him his son David, who was with the flock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_samuel/16.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />So Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, “Send me your son David who is with the sheep.”<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_samuel/16.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Wherefore King Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said, Send me David your son; he will be useful to me.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_samuel/16.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And King Shaul sent to Iyshay and said to him: “Send me David your son. He is useful to me”<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_samuel/16.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said: 'Send me David thy son, who is with the sheep.'<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_samuel/16.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And Saul sent messengers to Jessae, saying, Send to me thy son David who is with thy flock.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_samuel/16-19.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/H8oQfYUMRZg?start=4578" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_samuel/16.htm">David Serves Saul</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">18</span>One of the servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a mighty man of valor, a warrior, eloquent and handsome, and the LORD is with him.” <span class="reftext">19</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7586.htm" title="7586: šā·’ūl (N-proper-ms) -- Passive participle of sha'al; asked; Shaul, the name of an Edomite and two Israelites.">So Saul</a> <a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: way·yiš·laḥ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">sent</a> <a href="/hebrew/4397.htm" title="4397: mal·’ā·ḵîm (N-mp) -- A messenger. From an unused root meaning to despatch as a deputy; a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. An angel.">messengers</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/3448.htm" title="3448: yi·šāy (N-proper-ms) -- Father of David. By Aramaic Iyshay; from the same as yesh; extant; Jishai, David's father.">Jesse</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">and said,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7971.htm" title="7971: šil·ḥāh (V-Qal-Imp-ms:: 3fs) -- To send. A primitive root; to send away, for, or out.">“Send</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lay (Prep:: 1cs) -- To, into, towards. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">me</a> <a href="/hebrew/1121.htm" title="1121: bin·ḵā (N-msc:: 2ms) -- Son. From banah; a son, in the widest sense (like 'ab, 'ach, etc.).">your son</a> <a href="/hebrew/1732.htm" title="1732: dā·wiḏ (N-proper-ms) -- Perhaps beloved one, a son of Jesse. Rarely; Daviyd; from the same as dowd; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse.">David,</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">who</a> <a href="/hebrew/6629.htm" title="6629: baṣ·ṣōn (Prep-b, Art:: N-cs) -- Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock. Or tsaown; from an unused root meaning to migrate; a collective name for a flock; also figuratively.">is with the sheep.”</a> </span><span class="reftext">20</span>And Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine, and one young goat, and sent them to Saul with his son David.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/17-15.htm">1 Samuel 17:15</a></span><br />but David went back and forth from Saul to tend his father’s sheep in Bethlehem.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/17-55.htm">1 Samuel 17:55-58</a></span><br />As Saul had watched David going out to confront the Philistine, he said to Abner the commander of the army, “Abner, whose son is this young man?” “As surely as you live, O king,” Abner replied, “I do not know.” / “Find out whose son this young man is!” said the king. / So when David returned from killing the Philistine, still holding his head in his hand, Abner took him and brought him before Saul. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/18-2.htm">1 Samuel 18:2</a></span><br />And from that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father’s house.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/18-5.htm">1 Samuel 18:5</a></span><br />So David marched out and prospered in everything Saul sent him to do, and Saul set him over the men of war. And this was pleasing in the sight of all the people, and of Saul’s officers as well.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/18-13.htm">1 Samuel 18:13</a></span><br />Therefore Saul sent David away and gave him command of a thousand men. David led the troops out to battle and back,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/18-16.htm">1 Samuel 18:16</a></span><br />But all Israel and Judah loved David, because he was leading them out to battle and back.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/18-30.htm">1 Samuel 18:30</a></span><br />Every time the Philistine commanders came out for battle, David was more successful than all of Saul’s officers, so that his name was highly esteemed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/19-8.htm">1 Samuel 19:8</a></span><br />When war broke out again, David went out and fought the Philistines and struck them with such a mighty blow that they fled before him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/20-25.htm">1 Samuel 20:25</a></span><br />He sat in his usual place by the wall, opposite Jonathan and beside Abner, but David’s place was empty.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/21-2.htm">1 Samuel 21:2</a></span><br />“The king has given me a mission,” David replied. “He told me no one is to know about the mission on which I am sending you. And I have directed my young men to meet me at a certain place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/22-14.htm">1 Samuel 22:14</a></span><br />Ahimelech answered the king, “Who among all your servants is as faithful as David, the king’s son-in-law, the captain of your bodyguard and honored in your house?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/25-28.htm">1 Samuel 25:28</a></span><br />Please forgive your servant’s offense, for the LORD will surely make a lasting dynasty for my lord, because he fights the LORD’s battles. May no evil be found in you as long as you live.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/5-2.htm">2 Samuel 5:2</a></span><br />Even in times past, while Saul was king over us, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And to you the LORD said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_samuel/7-8.htm">2 Samuel 7:8</a></span><br />Now then, you are to tell My servant David that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to be the ruler over My people Israel.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_chronicles/11-2.htm">1 Chronicles 11:2</a></span><br />Even in times past, while Saul was king, you were the one who led Israel out and brought them back. And the LORD your God said, ‘You will shepherd My people Israel, and you will be ruler over them.’”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Why Saul sent messengers to Jesse, and said, Send me David your son, which is with the sheep.</p><p class="hdg">with the sheep</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/16-11.htm">1 Samuel 16:11</a></b></br> And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all <i>thy</i> children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_samuel/17-15.htm">1 Samuel 17:15,33,34</a></b></br> But David went and returned from Saul to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/3-1.htm">Exodus 3:1-10</a></b></br> Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, <i>even</i> to Horeb… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/16-13.htm">David</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-18.htm">Jesse</a> <a href="/1_samuel/11-9.htm">Messengers</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-17.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-18.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-11.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/1_samuel/15-19.htm">Wherefore</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_samuel/16-20.htm">David</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-20.htm">Jesse</a> <a href="/1_samuel/19-11.htm">Messengers</a> <a href="/1_samuel/16-20.htm">Saul</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-8.htm">Servants</a> <a href="/1_samuel/17-15.htm">Sheep</a> <a href="/1_samuel/18-15.htm">Wherefore</a><div class="vheading2">1 Samuel 16</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/16-1.htm">Samuel sent by God, under pretense of a sacrifice, comes to Bethlehem</a></span><br><span class="reftext">6. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/16-6.htm">His human judgment is reproved</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/16-11.htm">He anoints David</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_samuel/16-15.htm">Saul sends for David to quiet his evil spirit</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/16.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_samuel/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_samuel/16.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>So Saul sent messengers to Jesse</b><br>This phrase indicates the authority and power of King Saul, who was the first king of Israel. The act of sending messengers reflects the royal protocol of the time, where kings would communicate through emissaries. Saul's decision to send for David is significant in the narrative of 1 Samuel, as it marks the beginning of David's introduction to the royal court. This action is set against the backdrop of Saul's declining kingship and God's choice of David as the future king, as seen earlier in <a href="/1_samuel/16.htm">1 Samuel 16</a> when Samuel anoints David. The sending of messengers also highlights the importance of Jesse, David's father, who is from Bethlehem, a town with prophetic significance as the birthplace of Jesus Christ (<a href="/micah/5-2.htm">Micah 5:2</a>, <a href="/matthew/2.htm">Matthew 2:1</a>).<p><b>and said, “Send me your son David,</b><br>Saul's request specifically for David underscores the divine orchestration at work. Although Saul is unaware of David's anointing by Samuel, God is positioning David within the royal court. This request is a fulfillment of God's plan for David to rise to prominence. The mention of David by name signifies his growing importance in the biblical narrative. David's introduction to Saul's court is a pivotal moment that sets the stage for his future role as king. This phrase also foreshadows the complex relationship between Saul and David, which will be marked by both favor and jealousy.<p><b>who is with the sheep.”</b><br>This detail about David being with the sheep emphasizes his humble beginnings and pastoral background. Shepherding was a common occupation in ancient Israel, and it symbolizes care, leadership, and protection. David's experience as a shepherd is significant, as it prepares him for his future role as the shepherd of Israel, the king. This imagery of shepherding is later used to describe Jesus Christ, who is referred to as the Good Shepherd (<a href="/john/10-11.htm">John 10:11</a>). David's role as a shepherd also highlights his obedience and faithfulness, qualities that God values and that contrast with Saul's disobedience. The mention of sheep connects to the pastoral culture of the time and underscores the theme of God choosing the humble and lowly for His purposes.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/saul.htm">Saul</a></b><br>The first king of Israel, chosen by God but later rejected due to his disobedience. At this point in the account, Saul is troubled by an evil spirit and seeks relief through music.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>The youngest son of Jesse, anointed by Samuel to be the future king of Israel. At this time, he is a shepherd, tending his father's sheep.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/j/jesse.htm">Jesse</a></b><br>The father of David, residing in Bethlehem. He is a significant figure as the patriarch of the family from which David, and ultimately Jesus, descends.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/messengers.htm">Messengers</a></b><br>Individuals sent by Saul to convey his request to Jesse. They play a role in bringing David into Saul's service.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/s/sheep.htm">Sheep</a></b><br>Symbolic of David's humble beginnings and his role as a shepherd, which foreshadows his future leadership and care for the people of Israel.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_choosing_leaders.htm">God's Sovereignty in Choosing Leaders</a></b><br>Despite human expectations, God chooses leaders based on His purposes and plans. David's selection as king, while he was still a shepherd, reminds us that God sees beyond our current circumstances.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_small_things.htm">Faithfulness in Small Things</a></b><br>David's faithfulness in tending sheep prepared him for greater responsibilities. We should be diligent in our current roles, trusting that God is preparing us for future tasks.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_music_in_spiritual_warfare.htm">The Role of Music in Spiritual Warfare</a></b><br>Saul's request for David highlights the power of music in providing spiritual relief and comfort. This encourages us to use worship and music as tools in our spiritual battles.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/o/obedience_and_service.htm">Obedience and Service</a></b><br>David's willingness to serve Saul, despite being anointed as the future king, demonstrates humility and obedience. We are called to serve others, even when we have our own aspirations.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_timing.htm">God's Timing</a></b><br>David's journey from shepherd to king was gradual, teaching us to trust in God's timing for the fulfillment of His promises in our lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_samuel_16.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Samuel 16</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_1_sam_19_align_with_divine_protection.htm">How does 1 Samuel 19 reconcile with accounts in other sections of the Bible where David is portrayed as protected by divine power rather than subterfuge?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/do_biblical_figures_have_last_names.htm">Do biblical figures have last names?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_did_elhanan_kill_goliath,_not_david.htm">In 2 Samuel 21:19, how could Elhanan have killed Goliath when David is credited with that feat in 1 Samuel 17?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_did_saul_offer_michal_to_david.htm">1 Samuel 18:20-21: Why would Saul offer his daughter Michal to David if he intended to harm him, and does this suggest inconsistencies within the narrative?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_samuel/16.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 19, 20.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Saul sent messengers</span> to fetch David, the description of him as a brave soldier being even more to the king's liking (see <a href="/1_samuel/14-52.htm">1 Samuel 14:52</a>) than his skill in music. As a great man might not be approached without a present (<a href="/1_samuel/9-7.htm">1 Samuel 9:7</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/10-4.htm">1 Samuel 10:4</a>), Jesse sends one consisting of produce from his farm. It consisted of <span class="cmt_word">an ass of bread</span> - a strange expression; but there is little doubt that a word has been omitted, and that we should read, with the Syriac, "And Jesse took an ass, and laded it with bread, and a skin of wine, and a kid." It was not <span class="cmt_word">an ass laden with bread,</span> as in the A.V., but all three things were placed upon the animal. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_samuel/16-19.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">So Saul</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁא֛וּל</span> <span class="translit">(šā·’ūl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7586.htm">Strong's 7586: </a> </span><span class="str2">Saul -- first king of Israel, also an Edomite and two Israelites</span><br /><br /><span class="word">sent</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּשְׁלַ֥ח</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiš·laḥ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7971.htm">Strong's 7971: </a> </span><span class="str2">To send away, for, out</span><br /><br /><span class="word">messengers</span><br /><span class="heb">מַלְאָכִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(mal·’ā·ḵîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4397.htm">Strong's 4397: </a> </span><span class="str2">A messenger, of God, an angel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Jesse</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשָׁ֑י</span> <span class="translit">(yi·šāy)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3448.htm">Strong's 3448: </a> </span><span class="str2">Jesse -- father of David</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and said,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֕אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“Send</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׁלְחָ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(šil·ḥāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7971.htm">Strong's 7971: </a> </span><span class="str2">To send away, for, out</span><br /><br /><span class="word">me your son</span><br /><span class="heb">בִּנְךָ֖</span> <span class="translit">(bin·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1121.htm">Strong's 1121: </a> </span><span class="str2">A son</span><br /><br /><span class="word">David,</span><br /><span class="heb">דָּוִ֥ד</span> <span class="translit">(dā·wiḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1732.htm">Strong's 1732: </a> </span><span class="str2">David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who</span><br /><span class="heb">אֲשֶׁ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ă·šer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - relative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_834.htm">Strong's 834: </a> </span><span class="str2">Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is with the sheep.”</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּצֹּֽאן׃</span> <span class="translit">(baṣ·ṣōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6629.htm">Strong's 6629: </a> </span><span class="str2">Small cattle, sheep and goats, flock</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_samuel/16-19.htm">1 Samuel 16:19 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_samuel/16-19.htm">1 Samuel 16:19 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_samuel/16-19.htm">1 Samuel 16:19 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_samuel/16-19.htm">1 Samuel 16:19 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_samuel/16-19.htm">1 Samuel 16:19 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_samuel/16-19.htm">1 Samuel 16:19 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_samuel/16-19.htm">1 Samuel 16:19 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_samuel/16-19.htm">1 Samuel 16:19 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_samuel/16-19.htm">1 Samuel 16:19 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_samuel/16-19.htm">1 Samuel 16:19 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_samuel/16-19.htm">OT History: 1 Samuel 16:19 Therefore Saul sent messengers to Jesse (1Sa iSam 1 Sam i sa) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_samuel/16-18.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Samuel 16:18"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 16:18" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_samuel/16-20.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Samuel 16:20"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Samuel 16:20" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>