1 Samuel 16:22

ESV And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, "Let David remain in my service, for he has found favor in my sight."

NIV Then Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, "Allow David to remain in my service, for I am pleased with him."

NASB So Saul sent word to Jesse, saying, 'Let David now be my attendant for he has found favor in my sight.'

CSB Then Saul sent word to Jesse: "Let David remain in my service, for he has found favor with me."

NLT Then Saul sent word to Jesse asking, 'Please let David remain in my service, for I am very pleased with him.'

KJV And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight.

NKJV Then Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Please let David stand before me, for he has found favor in my sight.”

What does 1 Samuel 16:22 mean?

Due to his disobedience, Saul had been rejected by God as Israel's king (1 Samuel 13:11–14; 15:17–29). Though Saul would retain the throne for at least ten more years, God removed His Spirit from Saul (1 Samuel 16:14). He also allowed an evil spirit to torment the sitting king. Aware of the evil spirit's presence, Saul's servants recommended he hire a musician to soothe him (1 Samuel 16:15–16). Saul agreed. A servant recommended David, and David has entered into Saul's service (1 Samuel 16:17–21). Saul has quickly grown attached to the young man, even making him his armor-bearer, one of the most relied upon positions any servant could hold in the kingdom. The previous verse reported that Saul loved David (1 Samuel 16:21).

Now Saul sends word to David's father, Jesse, letting him know that David will stay on as his servant in a permanent position. Apparently, Saul's original expectation was that David's service as a musician would be temporary. David, though, quickly became one of Saul's closest and most trusted servants.

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Context Summary
First Samuel 16:14–23 finds King Saul tormented by a harmful spirit sent by God. The Lord's Spirit has left him. Saul's servants are aware of the afflicting spirit and suggest that music would soothe the king during the times of torment. He asks them to recruit a skillful musician to play the lyre when he is affected. One of the servants suggests David, whom he knows to be skilled with the lyre and reputable in character. The servant also recognizes that the Lord is with Samuel. Saul agrees and sends messengers to Jesse. The king quickly comes to love David and even makes him his armor-bearer. When David plays, the harmful spirit leaves. David becomes a permanent servant of the king.

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Chapter Summary
The Lord sends Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint one of Jesse's sons as king. The Lord reveals His choice to be David, Jesse's youngest son. Samuel anoints the young man. God's Spirit comes on David but departs from King Saul. When the Lord sends a harmful spirit on Saul, his servant suggests that the king recruit David to play the lyre whenever Saul is tormented. Saul does so, and he quickly bonds with David, making the young man his armor-bearer.

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