(19) Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep. (20) And Jesse took an ass laden with bread, and a bottle of wine, and a kid, and sent them by David his son unto Saul. (21) And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer. (22) And Saul sent to Jesse, saying, Let David, I pray thee, stand before me; for he hath found favour in my sight. (23) And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.
I think it more than probable, that Saul had no knowledge at this time, of Samuel's having anointed David as his successor in the kingdom. Neither do I conceive that the family of Jesse understood thoroughly the purport of Samuel's visit. It is said indeed, that Samuel anointed him in the midst of his brethren. But might it not be supposed (as the words will well bear) from among, his brethren: that is perhaps, took him into another apartment privately; by which neither Jesse nor his sons knew anymore at present, than that Samuel had particularly noticed David. I do not presume to say that this was the case. But as Samuel's fears, on account of Saul, were overruled by the Lord allowing him to cover over the main design of visit to Jesse, by telling him that he was come to sacrifice: and as Eliab, as it appears in the next chapter, (see verse 28) when David came to visit his brethren in the camp, did not advert to it, but on the contrary reproved David for his supposed pride: and as Saul received Da v id so kindly, and loved him so greatly: these circumstances taken altogether, I am led to think that David's anointing (or at least the purport of it was known only to Samuel and himself. He indeed, could not but know it, because from that time, we are told, the Spirit of the Lord came upon him. Reader! it is precious to trace the Spirit's season of regeneration, from his gracious work upon the heart. This sweet earnest of the Spirit, is what Paul calls, the seal of the promised inheritance. Ephesians 1:13-14.