What does 1 Samuel 16:21 mean?

"And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer." - 1 Samuel 16:21

1 Samuel 16:21 - "And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer."

1 Samuel 16:21 - "And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer."

1 Samuel 16:21 (KJV) reads: "And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armorbearer."

This verse comes from the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel, which tells the story of the rise of King David, a man after God's own heart. In this particular verse, we see David coming before King Saul and becoming his armorbearer. The story of David and Saul is a complex and multifaceted one, with many themes and symbols to consider.

The first aspect to consider is the historical and cultural context of this verse. In ancient Israel, having an armorbearer was a significant position of trust and responsibility. The armorbearer was tasked with carrying the king's armor and weapons into battle, as well as providing protection and support. By becoming Saul's armorbearer, David is entering into a position of honor and service within the king's court.

One of the key themes of this verse is the concept of loyalty and service. David's willingness to serve Saul, despite Saul's growing jealousy and animosity towards him, demonstrates David's faithfulness and humility. It also serves as a contrast to Saul's own character, as Saul's actions throughout the narrative reveal his insecurity and lack of faith in God.

Another important theme in this verse is the idea of divine favor and providence. The fact that Saul loved David greatly is significant, as it shows that God was at work in orchestrating David's rise to power. Despite being anointed by the prophet Samuel as the future king of Israel, David was still subject to the authority of Saul. This verse reflects the tension between the present reality and the promise of God's future plan for David.

Furthermore, this verse can be seen as a foreshadowing of David's eventual rise to power. As Saul's armorbearer, David would have been present for many of the key events that shaped his destiny. This position would have given David the opportunity to observe and learn from Saul's leadership, as well as to gain valuable experience in military matters. These experiences would prove vital in preparing David for the challenges he would face as king.

Symbolically, the act of David becoming Saul's armorbearer can be interpreted as a symbol of David's faithfulness and willingness to serve. It also serves as a visual representation of the future role that David would play in protecting and leading the nation of Israel.

In conclusion, 1 Samuel 16:21 is a pivotal verse in the larger narrative of David's rise to power. It provides insight into the character of both David and Saul, while also highlighting important themes of loyalty, divine favor, and providence. Additionally, this verse serves as a foreshadowing of David's eventual kingship and the important role he would play in the history of Israel. Overall, this verse is a powerful reminder of God's sovereignty and the ways in which He works through the lives of His chosen servants.

1 Samuel 16:21 Artwork

1 Samuel 16:21 - "And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer."

1 Samuel 16:21 - "And David came to Saul, and stood before him: and he loved him greatly; and he became his armourbearer."

1 Samuel 3:16 - "Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I."

1 Samuel 3:16 - "Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I."

1 Samuel 8:21 - "And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the LORD."

1 Samuel 8:21 - "And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the LORD."

1 Samuel 3:21 - "And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD."

1 Samuel 3:21 - "And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD."

1 Samuel 16:10 - "Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these."

1 Samuel 16:10 - "Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these."

1 Samuel 22:21 - "And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the LORD'S priests."

1 Samuel 22:21 - "And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the LORD'S priests."

1 Corinthians 16:21 - "The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand."

1 Corinthians 16:21 - "The salutation of me Paul with mine own hand."

1 Samuel 23:21 - "And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me."

1 Samuel 23:21 - "And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me."

1 Samuel 16:8 - "Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this."

1 Samuel 16:8 - "Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this."

1 Samuel 17:21 - "For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army."

1 Samuel 17:21 - "For Israel and the Philistines had put the battle in array, army against army."

1 Samuel 28:16 - "Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?"

1 Samuel 28:16 - "Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?"

1 Samuel 13:21 - "Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads."

1 Samuel 13:21 - "Yet they had a file for the mattocks, and for the coulters, and for the forks, and for the axes, and to sharpen the goads."

1 Samuel 2:21 - "And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD."

1 Samuel 2:21 - "And the LORD visited Hannah, so that she conceived, and bare three sons and two daughters. And the child Samuel grew before the LORD."

1 Samuel 21:10 - "¶ And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath."

1 Samuel 21:10 - "¶ And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath."

1 Samuel 16:15 - "And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee."

1 Samuel 16:15 - "And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee."

1 Samuel 17:16 - "And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days."

1 Samuel 17:16 - "And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days."

1 Samuel 16:9 - "Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this."

1 Samuel 16:9 - "Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this."

1 Samuel 6:16 - "And when the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned to Ekron the same day."

1 Samuel 6:16 - "And when the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned to Ekron the same day."

1 Samuel 1:21 - "And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow."

1 Samuel 1:21 - "And the man Elkanah, and all his house, went up to offer unto the LORD the yearly sacrifice, and his vow."

1 Samuel 16:4 - "And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Beth-lehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?"

1 Samuel 16:4 - "And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Beth-lehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?"

1 Samuel 21:12 - "And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath."

1 Samuel 21:12 - "And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath."

1 Samuel 16:19 - "¶ Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep."

1 Samuel 16:19 - "¶ Wherefore Saul sent messengers unto Jesse, and said, Send me David thy son, which is with the sheep."

1 Samuel 16:13 - "Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah."

1 Samuel 16:13 - "Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah."

1 Samuel 15:16 - "Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on."

1 Samuel 15:16 - "Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on."

1 Samuel 16:14 - "¶ But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him."

1 Samuel 16:14 - "¶ But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him."

1 Samuel 1:16 - "Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto."

1 Samuel 1:16 - "Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto."

1 Samuel 10:16 - "And Saul said unto his uncle, He told us plainly that the asses were found. But of the matter of the kingdom, whereof Samuel spake, he told him not."

1 Samuel 10:16 - "And Saul said unto his uncle, He told us plainly that the asses were found. But of the matter of the kingdom, whereof Samuel spake, he told him not."

1 Samuel 23:16 - "¶ And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God."

1 Samuel 23:16 - "¶ And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God."

1 Chronicles 16:21 - "He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes,"

1 Chronicles 16:21 - "He suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes,"

1 Samuel 16:17 - "And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me."

1 Samuel 16:17 - "And Saul said unto his servants, Provide me now a man that can play well, and bring him to me."