And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.

1 SAMUEL 16:5KJV
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1 Samuel 16:5 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 16:5 mean?

1 Samuel 16:5 shows Samuel reassuring the elders of Bethlehem that he comes in peace, explaining that his visit is to offer a sacrifice to the LORD. Samuel then instructs the people to prepare themselves for this sacred event and personally makes Jesse and his sons ready to join him.

Samuel, the prophet, is speaking to the elders of Bethlehem, who are anxious about his unexpected arrival. He calms their fears by saying he comes "peaceably" and invites them to participate in a sacrifice, a special act of worship to God. Samuel’s act of sanctifying Jesse and his sons means he is setting them apart and making sure they are ritually clean for the occasion, which sets the stage for the anointing of David later in the chapter.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 16:5

  • "Peaceably" (שָׁלוֹם, shalom): This word means more than just "not bringing trouble"; it carries the sense of well-being, wholeness, and safety. Samuel is assuring the elders that his intentions are good and not threatening.
  • "Sanctify" (קָדַשׁ, qadash): To "sanctify" here means to set apart or make ritually clean, preparing people to participate in a holy ceremony. Samuel is making sure Jesse and his sons are ready to take part in the sacrifice, highlighting the seriousness of the event.
  • "Sacrifice" (זֶבַח, zevach): This word refers to a specific type of offering made to God, often involving a communal meal. The sacrifice is not just a ritual but a shared act of worship and fellowship with God.

Why 1 Samuel 16:5 matters

  • This verse clears up why Samuel came to Bethlehem: his visit is not for judgment or trouble, but for worship, which would have been a relief to the townspeople.
  • The act of sanctifying Jesse and his sons is significant because it singles them out for a special purpose, hinting to the reader that something important is about to happen with this family.
  • The verse sets the tone for the rest of the chapter, where God will choose David, showing that God’s plans often unfold quietly and through ordinary acts of faithfulness.

Where else these words appear

“Jesse” Hebrew H3448 · used in 39 verses

  • Ruth 4:17 And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
  • 1 Samuel 17:12 Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehemjudah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men for an old man in the days of Saul.
  • 2 Samuel 20:1 And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.

“sacrifice” Hebrew H2076 · used in 127 verses

  • Genesis 31:54 Then Jacob offered sacrifice upon the mount, and called his brethren to eat bread: and they did eat bread, and tarried all night in the mount.
  • 1 Samuel 1:21 And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow.
  • 2 Chronicles 15:11 And they offered unto the LORD the same time, of the spoil which they had brought, seven hundred oxen and seven thousand sheep.