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1 Samuel 16

The Shepherd Anointed

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The Shepherd Anointed

1 Samuel 16

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The Shepherd Anointed

1 Samuel 16

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About this song

About this song

This song belongs to the 1 Samuel collection. 8 recordings are available to play here, with the complete lyrics below.

Bible book
1 Samuel
Collection
1 Samuel
[Verse 1] Jesse brought Eliab, tall in the frame; Samuel thought surely the chosen one came. But heaven looks deeper than face, height, or art; Man sees appearance, the Lord sees the heart. Seven sons passed, and the answer was none. "Are all thy children?" There still was one. [Refrain] Call the shepherd from the field. Do not sit till he appears. Oil shall fall on hidden faith Unknown through younger years. Call the shepherd from the field; The least has not been missed. The horn was filled, the brothers watched: The shepherd was anointed. [Verse 2] Ruddy and bright-eyed, he entered the room. The word marked David before throne or tomb. Samuel poured oil in the midst of his kin; The Spirit of God came upon him within. No trumpet announced him to city or court; He returned to the sheep with the promise in heart. [Turn] Saul's troubled spirit sought music at night; David played harp till the darkness took flight. The future king served in the house of the old, Carrying melody before carrying gold. [Final Refrain] Call the shepherd from the field; The Lord chooses otherwise. A crown may begin where the lambs are kept, Far from ambitious eyes.

Named in this songSamuelDavidSaul

About the passage

1 Samuel 16: The chosen son is still out with the sheep

Samuel is still mourning Saul when the LORD sends him to Bethlehem to anoint another king. The Book of 1 Samuel makes the transition deliberately indirect. Samuel goes under the public purpose of a real sacrifice, fears Saul's reaction, and does not know which of Jesse's sons will be chosen until the LORD identifies him. Samuel first reaches for the familiar visual measure and assumes Eliab must be the man, only to be corrected. Seven sons pass. The chosen one is still with the sheep. David is summoned, anointed, and receives the Spirit, while Saul subsequently loses that royal empowerment. Yet David does not march toward the throne. He is called to court as a skilled musician, wins Saul's affection, and brings him relief. The newly chosen king enters the rejected king's household first as a servant.

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