1 Samuel 16:1-13

In 1 Samuel 16, Samuel the prophet represents the reader's point of view, having to guess at the Lord's intent as best he can until David is revealed in verse 13. Saul also represents Israel's perspective on qualifications for rule (1 Samuel 9:2 & 10:23-24), as both Saul and David are outwardly qualified but only David has the right heart.

Interestingly, David's anointing as king by Samuel parallels Saul's earlier anointing by Samuel. Both occurred in a private setting (1 Samuel 16:13 & 9:27-10:1) and in the context of a sacrifice (1 Samuel 16:2-5 & 9:11-13, 19-24).