Bible Commentary

1 Samuel 16:21

1 Samuel 16:21

John Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible · John Gill (1697–1771) · Public Domain

And David came to Saul, and stood before him,.... As a servant, and ministered to him in the way, and for the purpose for which he was sent:and he loved him greatly; being a comely person, and a well behaved youth, and especially as he was serviceable to him with his music, in driving away melancholy from him:and he became his armourbearer; that is, he appointed him to this office, though we never read that he exercised it; nor did he go with Saul in this capacity to the battle related in the following chapter: it may be literally rendered: "and he was to him a bearer of vessels", or "instruments" ; and Abarbinel thinks this is to be understood not of instruments of war, but of instruments of music to play with; which he brought in and bare before him when he went in to the king.

The Daily Devotional

One devotional. Every morning.

The full reading, the passage behind it, and where to go deeper — in your inbox before the day starts. No ads, ever.

We'll send one email to confirm it's really you. Unsubscribe in one tap, any time.

Continue tomorrow

Turn Bible study into a daily habit

Read today's devotional, save your progress, and receive a gentle daily reminder.

Recommended reading

More for 1 Samuel 16:21

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

1 Samuel 16 — Overview1 Samuel 16 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleAt this chapter begins the story of David, one that makes as great a figure in the sacred story as almost any of the worthies of the Old Testament, one that both with his sword and with his pen served the…1 Samuel 16 — Overview1 Samuel 16 · Treasury of Scripture Knowledge1 Samuel 16:1, Samuel sent by God, under pretence of a sacrifice, comes to Beth-lehem; 1 Samuel 16:6, His human judgment is reproved; 1 Samuel 16:11, He anoints David; 1 Samuel 16:15, Saul sends for David to quiet his…1 Samuel 16 — Overview1 Samuel 16 · John Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleIn this chapter Samuel is ordered to anoint a king among the sons of Jesse of Bethlehem, 1Sa 16:1 all whose sons were made to pass before him, excepting David, 1Sa 16:6 who being then with his father's sheep, was sent…1 Samuel 16:1-231 Samuel 16:1-23 · The Pulpit CommentaryDAVID ANOINTED AS THE FUTURE KING, AND HIS FIRST INTRODUCTION TO SAUL. (1 Samuel 16:1-23) EXPOSITION CHOICE OF DAVID AS SUCCESSOR TO SAUL (1 Samuel 16:1-13). 1 Samuel 16:1 How long writ thou mourn? The grief of…1 Samuel 16:1-231 Samuel 16:1-23 · The Pulpit Commentary3. Human character. Man's judgment of character is necessarily imperfect; for words are not always a revelation of the inner man, but the reverse, and the seat of motive is not pierced by the human eye. There is often a…1 Samuel 16:1-231 Samuel 16:1-23 · The Pulpit Commentary2. That the heart of each of us lies open to the inspection of God: certainly, directly, completely, and constantly. He beholds its deepest motive, its supreme affection and ruling purpose. However we may deceive…