1 Samuel 16 4

1 Samuel 16:4 kjv

And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?

1 Samuel 16:4 nkjv

So Samuel did what the LORD said, and went to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, "Do you come peaceably?"

1 Samuel 16:4 niv

Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, "Do you come in peace?"

1 Samuel 16:4 esv

Samuel did what the LORD commanded and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling and said, "Do you come peaceably?"

1 Samuel 16:4 nlt

So Samuel did as the LORD instructed. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town came trembling to meet him. "What's wrong?" they asked. "Do you come in peace?"

1 Samuel 16 verses

1 Samuel 16 4 Meaning

Samuel, demonstrating immediate obedience to the Lord's command, arrived in Bethlehem. Upon his arrival, the elders, the leading figures of the town, experienced significant apprehension and fear. They questioned his purpose directly, asking if his visit was for their welfare and peace, betraying their anxiety that a prophet's visit might instead signify divine judgment or trouble.

1 Samuel 16 4 Context

This verse is pivotal within the narrative of 1 Samuel, specifically opening the account of David's anointing as the next king of Israel. God has recently rejected King Saul due to his disobedience (1 Sam 15). Chapter 16 begins with the Lord commanding a mourning Samuel to rise and go to Bethlehem to anoint one of Jesse's sons. Samuel's immediate concern (v.2) is the danger posed by Saul, should he discover this divine secret. The Lord instructs Samuel to mitigate this by going under the guise of offering a sacrifice. Therefore, Samuel's arrival in Bethlehem is framed by divine instruction, secrecy, and the potential for grave consequences from the ruling king. Historically and culturally, prophets were often seen as God's messengers who could bring messages of blessing, correction, or impending judgment. Their sudden appearance in a town, especially a revered prophet like Samuel who had recently executed judgment upon King Agag and pronounced judgment upon King Saul, naturally instilled a sense of dread and immediate inquiry into the purpose of their visit.

1 Samuel 16 4 Word analysis

• So Samuel did: The Hebrew verb עָשָׂה (asah) meaning "to do, make, or obey," immediately conveys Samuel's prompt and faithful compliance with God's instruction, contrasting sharply with Saul's previous partial and delayed obedience. It highlights Samuel's continued role as a trusted agent of the divine will.
• what the Lord had said: Emphasizes the divine origin and authority behind Samuel's actions. The name "Lord" (יְהוָה, Yahweh) points to the covenant-keeping God of Israel, affirming His sovereign involvement in choosing the next king.
• and came to Bethlehem: Bethlehem (בֵּית לֶחֶם, Bet Lechem), meaning "House of Bread" or "House of Food," was a relatively small and inconspicuous town in Judah. Its designation here is precise and sets the stage for God's selection of an unexpected, humble individual, aligning with its later, much grander prophetic significance as the birthplace of the Messiah (Mic 5:2, Matt 2:1).
• And the elders of the town: The "elders" (זִקְנֵי, ziqnei) were the respected, leading figures, administrators, and judges of the local community. Their collective response indicates a widespread sentiment among the town's authoritative representatives.
• trembled: The Hebrew verb חָרַד (charad) describes a strong, visceral reaction – to tremble, be in dread, quake with fear, or be deeply agitated. This goes beyond polite deference, signifying genuine apprehension and alarm. This profound fear likely stemmed from the knowledge that prophetic visits often preceded judgment, especially given Samuel's recent involvement in the judgment of Saul and his previous actions, such as hewing Agag.
• at his coming: This indicates an immediate, palpable reaction as Samuel appeared. His reputation preceded him, and his presence alone was enough to incite dread.
• and said, “Do you come peaceably?”: The question uses the Hebrew term שָׁלוֹם (shalom), encompassing a holistic sense of peace, welfare, wholeness, prosperity, and health. While a common greeting, phrased as a question (hashalom bo'echa - "Is your coming peace?"), it conveys a profound anxiety. They were essentially asking: "Is your intention benign, or do you bring a message of distress, judgment, or trouble for our community?" This reflects the awareness that God's prophets often carried messages of either blessing or judgment, and the elders were desperate to know which it would be.

• So Samuel did what the Lord had said: This phrase highlights divine commission and faithful human execution. It acts as a counterpoint to Saul's prior failures to obey God fully, setting the stage for the narrative's thematic focus on true obedience and divine choice.
• the elders of the town trembled at his coming: This phrase vividly portrays the gravity associated with a prophetic visit. It underscores the weight of divine authority that Samuel embodied and the elders' understanding that such a visit was rarely trivial or merely social; it signaled something significant from God, which could be for good or for ill.
• "Do you come peaceably?": This succinct question reveals the elders' deep-seated concern about the unknown intent of Samuel's sudden arrival. It encapsulates the anticipation, hope, and dread that often accompanied the interface between the human and the divine through a prophetic messenger. It sets the immediate tone for the meeting: one of cautious inquiry rather than simple welcome.

1 Samuel 16 4 Bonus section

• The profound fear exhibited by the elders reflects a healthy understanding of God's power and justice. They knew that when a prophet like Samuel arrived, God was actively involved, which could bring both blessing and divine discipline. This reverence is a key element of the Israelite worldview often lost in modern interpretations.
• Samuel's compliance with God's directive to obscure his true mission (to anoint a king) with the cover of a sacrifice (1 Sam 16:2) illustrates divine providence and protection. God often orchestrates events in ways that protect His servants and His plans from immediate threats, allowing His will to unfold subtly and safely. This hidden mission ensured Bethlehem's safety from King Saul's jealousy, demonstrating God's practical care for His people and plans.
• The unexpected location of Bethlehem for a royal anointing underscores God's preference for humble and unseen places, challenging human perceptions of grandeur and significance.

1 Samuel 16 4 Commentary

This verse perfectly encapsulates the significant awe and fear a true prophet of God commanded in ancient Israel. Samuel, though aged, was an imposing figure not because of his personal power, but because he was recognized as the mouthpiece of YHVH. His sudden and unannounced arrival in Bethlehem sent ripples of dread through the community's leadership. Their desperate inquiry, "Do you come peaceably?", reflects a common understanding that a prophetic visit was a solemn matter, potentially signaling divine intervention in their affairs—either for blessing or for judgment. This cautious reception underscores the delicate and powerful nature of God's interaction with humanity through His chosen messengers, foreshadowing how His chosen ones might be received with suspicion even when bearing great tidings. The setting of Bethlehem also adds layers of meaning, positioning the future birthplace of Israel's greatest king (and ultimately, the Messiah) as a place initially touched by apprehension before becoming the site of extraordinary divine action.