King James Version

What Does 1 Samuel 16:2 Mean?

1 Samuel 16:2 in the King James Version says “And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I...” — study this verse from 1 Samuel chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD. with thee: Heb. in thine hand”

1 Samuel 16:2 · KJV

Context

1

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.

2

And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD. with thee: Heb. in thine hand

3

And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee.

4

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? coming: Heb. meeting

Read 1 Samuel 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD.

Samuel's fear of Saul reveals that even mature prophets experience human weakness. God's response demonstrates that divine commands often include practical wisdom for their execution. The cover story of sacrifice was truthful - Samuel would indeed sacrifice - while concealing the full purpose. This instance of divinely sanctioned discretion raises important questions about truth-telling in dangerous circumstances, a theme explored by Reformed theologians regarding legitimate concealment versus lying.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Saul's paranoid behavior had intensified after his rejection, making travel by religious figures potentially dangerous. The distance from Ramah to Bethlehem was approximately 10 miles through territory Saul controlled. Sacrificial feasts were common occasions for family gatherings and religious observance.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you balance transparency with wisdom when obedience to God might provoke opposition?
  2. What does Samuel's honest fear teach us about the compatibility of faith and natural human emotions?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וְאָ֣מַרְתָּ֔1 of 17

“and say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שְׁמוּאֵל֙2 of 17

“And Samuel”

H8050

shemuel, the name of three israelites

אֵ֣יךְ3 of 17
H349

how? or how!; also where

אֵלֵ֔ךְ4 of 17
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

וְשָׁמַ֥ע5 of 17

“hear”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

שָׁא֖וּל6 of 17

“if Saul”

H7586

shaul, the name of an edomite and two israelites

וַֽהֲרָגָ֑נִי7 of 17

“it he will kill”

H2026

to smite with deadly intent

וְאָ֣מַרְתָּ֔8 of 17

“and say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לַֽיהוָ֖ה9 of 17

“me And the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

עֶגְלַ֤ת10 of 17
H5697

a (female) calf, especially one nearly grown (i.e., a heifer)

בָּקָר֙11 of 17

“an heifer”

H1241

a beeve or an animal of the ox family of either gender (as used for plowing); collectively, a herd

תִּקַּ֣ח12 of 17

“Take”

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

בְּיָדֶ֔ךָ13 of 17

“with thee”

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v

וְאָ֣מַרְתָּ֔14 of 17

“and say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לִזְבֹּ֥חַ15 of 17

“to sacrifice”

H2076

to slaughter an animal (usually in sacrifice)

לַֽיהוָ֖ה16 of 17

“me And the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

בָּֽאתִי׃17 of 17

“I am come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Samuel. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Samuel 16:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Samuel 16:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Samuel 9:121 Samuel 20:29Matthew 10:161 Kings 18:9-14Jeremiah 38:26-27Luke 1:34

Test Your Knowledge

1 Samuel 16 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Samuel Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read 1 Samuel 16 with CommentaryAll 1 Samuel ChaptersComplete 1 Samuel QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes