1 Samuel 16:3
ESV
And invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do. And you shall anoint for me him whom I declare to you."
NIV
Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate."
NASB
And you shall invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will let you know what you shall do; and you shall anoint for Me the one whom I designate to you.'
CSB
Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will let you know what you are to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate to you."
NLT
Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you which of his sons to anoint for me.'
KJV
And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee.
NKJV
Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; you shall anoint for Me the one I name to you.”
What does 1 Samuel 16:3 mean?
The Lord is sending Samuel the prophet to Bethlehem; he is to anoint a new king over Israel to eventually replace King Saul. Samuel is afraid Saul will kill him if the king learns of the mission (1 Samuel 16:1–2). In response, God told Samuel to take a young heifer to Bethlehem to sacrifice as a peace offering. The prophet could tell anyone who asked, truthfully, that he was traveling in order to make this offering.Now God tells Samuel to invite Jesse to the sacrifice and subsequent feast. God will show Samuel what to do and whom to anoint as king. In other words, he need not fear. He should simply go. God will provide the needed instructions at the appropriate time. This account echoes God's call to Abraham (Genesis 12:1). Samuel is simply to go, to invite Jesse, and to expect that God will reveal the details as needed.
We are often called to step out in faith without knowing every detail. Obedience to what we know is part of living out our faith in the Lord (Hebrews 11:6). Like Samuel, we can trust that God will provide what is needed in the right time (James 4:13–17; Hebrews 13:5–8). Jesus told His followers, "Therefore do not be anxious…seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you…sufficient for the day is its own trouble" (Matthew 6:31–34)
