Yahweh said to Samuel, How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from being king over Israel? fill your horn with oil, and go: I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite; for I have provided me a king among his sons.
David and his family were the first after Samuel to learn that he would be the next king, or perhaps that he would become Samuel’s successor, like Elisha became to Elijah. [Note: Young, p. 286.] In time, all Israel would learn that David would become the next king as he became the instrument through whom God blessed the nation. David became successful because God’s Spirit came on him, remained with him from then on, and empowered him for service (cf. Matthew 3:16-17). [Note: On the significance of anointing, see my comments on 10:1.] 