David’s hometown was Bethlehem and God arranged, by his providence a thousand years later, for his anointed, the greater son of David to be born in this same “the city of David”.
It is significant that David was tending the sheep, because God later declared he had taken David “from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel” 2 Samuel 7:8.Waiting for response for 2 Samuel 7:8 His experience in protecting the sheep against wild animals was invaluable in preparing him to deliver Israel from her human enemies. As soon as David was anointed with oil, the Spirit of the LORD came upon him while at the same time the Spirit departing from Saul. It was years, however, before David ruled over Israel for, like Jesus, he had to endure a period of suffering before ascending the throne.
Verses 1-13
Waiting for response for 1 Samuel 16:1-13The LORD had rejected Saul from being king and had chosen “a man after his own heart”, therefore Samuel was sent to anoint this man to be king over Israel.v.1Waiting for response for 1 Samuel 16:1 He lived in Bethlehem with his father Jesse, so the prophet was sent there. Samuel did not know which of Jesse’s sons was to be king but he was greatly impressed by the look of the eldest.v.6Waiting for response for 1 Samuel 16:6 However, God is not impressed by appearance but by character: “Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart”.v.7Waiting for response for 1 Samuel 16:7 Seven sons were brought before Samuel but none of them was chosen by God, then the eighth and youngest, David, was called and chosen, therefore Samuel anointed him to be king of Israel.vs.11-13Waiting for response for 1 Samuel 16:11-13