1 Samuel 16

David as a type of Christ

And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons. 1 Samuel 16:1

Jehovah provides a king from the house of Jesse in Bethlehem. Centuries later the King of Kings would be born in Bethlehem as the Son of David and the promised Branch from Jesse's stem.

How we know: a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• a type of what is in Isaiah 11:1 — A rod out of the stem of Jesse, a Branch out of his roots.
• a type of what is in Micah 5:2 — Out of Bethlehem shall come the ruler in Israel.
• a type of what is in Luke 2:4 — Joseph goes to Bethlehem, 'the city of David', where Jesus is born.

Jehovah, who looks on the heart

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7

Jehovah teaches Samuel that He judges by the heart, not appearance. Jesus Christ, our Judge, still judges by the desires of our hearts.

How we know: Jehovah is the premortal Christ (Abraham 1:16; D&C 110:3–4)

• alluded to by D&C 137:9 — 'I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts.'

Good Shepherd

And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither. 1 Samuel 16:11

The overlooked youngest son is out keeping sheep when he is called to be king. The prophets later name the coming Messiah 'my servant David', a shepherd over God's flock, fulfilled in Jesus the Good Shepherd.

• a type of what is in Ezekiel 34:23 — 'I will set up one shepherd over them ... even my servant David; he shall feed them.'
• a type of what is in John 10:11 — 'I am the good shepherd.'

Messiah (the Anointed One)

Messiah — the Anointed One (Greek: Christ)

And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. 1 Samuel 16:12–13

David is anointed with oil and the Spirit comes upon him, making him the Lord's 'anointed' — a Messiah in miniature. Jesus, the true Messiah, was anointed with the Holy Ghost and power, and at His baptism the Father declared 'This is my beloved Son.'

• a type of what is in Acts 10:38 — God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power.
• a type of what is in Luke 4:18 — 'The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me.'
• a type of what is in Matthew 3:16-17 — The Spirit descends on Jesus and the Father says, 'This is my beloved Son.'