- 1 Sam 16:2 .Be shrewd my beloved!
- And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take a heifer with you, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD.
- How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. The anointing of another instead of present King Saul would be regarded as an act of open treason, and the stirring up of civil war. To have anointed David publicly would have forced Jesse to an open rupture with the king, and he must have sought safety either by fighting for his life, or by breaking up his home, and fleeing into a foreign land (1 Sm 22:3, 4; Pulpit).” The life of Samuel would be forfeited to the fierce anger of Saul.
- Offering a peace offering (thanks giving offering) might be done anywhere in those unsettled times, and also it seemed Samuel used to sacrifice at different places (cf. 1 Sm 7:9; Gill). Cf. A heifer (Dt. 21:1). But the readers might wonder why a heifer not a bull?
- According to the Law (Lev.1-3), if it is a King’s offering, a grownup bull among the herd must be offered. Why heifer, why not a bull? One may understand that the real purpose needed to be concealed so that King Saul may not suspect anointing another king. Therefore, the Divine voice instructed Samuel, “Take a heifer with thee” not a grownup bull, which symbolizes kingly offering.
- Is concealment of a good purpose, for a good purpose, justifiable? (cf. Exodus 7:16; 8:1; 9:13; Barnes). To conceal the primary intention seemed necessary (Cambridge). Telling real purpose from being honest heart could be understood foolish in this context.
- Jesus our savior also tells us, "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; therefore, be shrewd as serpents, and innocent as doves (Matt 10:6).” Mission strategy of church leaders today in the controversial environment need to learn something for the better harvest in winning souls.
- Hosea 4:16 reports that “Since Israel is stubborn like a stubborn heifer (because it is not tamed yet).” Hosea 10:11 reports again that “And Ephraim is a trained heifer that loves to thresh.” The heifer or young cow was not commonly used for ploughing, but only for treading out the corn only. It means that a young heifer, if it was not tamed, it is not useful yet for farmers. But if it was tamed, it can be used for treading corns only, but cannot be used for plowing, for it is not yet strong enough to plow the field.
- Then, this young heifer could be identified with a young boy David? He is a promising one, yet must be trained? Does the Lord wish Samuel understand this secret message? What is your view on this?
