Bible Compass
Log inGet started
Back to the chapter

1 Samuel 16:2

SamuelSaul
FearGuidance and decisions

1 Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long are you going to mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem, for I have selected from his sons a king for Myself.”

“How can I go?” Samuel asked. “Saul will hear of it and kill me!” The LORD answered, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’

3 Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you are to do. You are to anoint for Me the one I indicate.”

4 So Samuel did what the LORD had said and went to Bethlehem. When the elders of the town met him, they trembled and asked, “Do you come in peace?”

Read the whole chapter

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
“How can I go?” Samuel asked. “Saul will hear of it and kill me!” The LORD answered, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’
KJV
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.
WEB
Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.” The LORD said, “Take a heifer with you, and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’
ASV
And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And Jehovah said, Take a heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to Jehovah.
DARBY
And Samuel said, How shall I go? if Saul hear [it], he will kill me. And Jehovah said, Take a heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to Jehovah.
BLB
And Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears [it], he will kill me.” And YHWH said, “Take a heifer of the herd with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to YHWH.’
ÅB
Men Samuel sa: Hvordan kan jeg gjøre slik en ferd? Får Saul høre det, slår han meg ihjel. Da sa Herren: Ta med deg en kalv av buskapen og si: Jeg er kommet for å ofre til Herren.
OTB
Men Samuel sa: «Hvordan kan jeg gå? Hvis Saul hører om det, vil han drepe meg.» Og Herren sa: «Ta med deg en kvige og si: ‘Jeg er kommet for å ofre til Herren.’
B1930
Men Samuel sa: Hvorledes kan jeg gjøre slik en ferd? Får Saul høre det, slår han mig ihjel. Da sa Herren: Ta med dig en kalv av buskapen og si: Jeg er kommet for å ofre til Herren.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • 1 Samuel 9:12

    “Yes, he is ahead of you,” they answered. “Hurry now, for today he has come to the city because the people have a sacrifice on the high place.

    Read in context

  • 1 Samuel 20:29

    saying, ‘Please let me go, because our clan is holding a sacrifice in the city, and my brother has told me to be there. So now, if I have found favor in your eyes, please let me go and see my brothers.’ That is why he did not come to the king’s table.”

    Read in context

  • Matthew 10:16

    Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

    Read in context

  • Luke 1:34

    “How can this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

    Read in context

  • Jeremiah 38:26–27

    then tell them, ‘I was presenting to the king my petition that he not return me to the house of Jonathan to die there.’”

    Read in context

  • Exodus 3:11

    But Moses asked God, “Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?”

    Read in context

  • 1 Kings 18:9–14

    But Obadiah replied, “How have I sinned, that you are handing your servant over to Ahab to put me to death?

    Read in context