COMMENTARY

Old Testament: 1 Samuel 15:34--16:13
God regrets having made Saul king and Samuel mourns Saul's fall from grace. The Lord instructs Samuel to quit mourning for Saul and go anoint his successor. Samuel goes to Bethlehem, ostensibly to conduct a feast before the Lord. The real reason is to anoint Saul's successor. The sons of Jesse are presented to him one by one. None of the seven eldest sons of Jesse are picked. Samuel asks Jesse if he has other sons. He responds that the youngest son is out in the field watching the sheep. David is brought before the prophet and anointed to be king of Israel.

Epistle: 2 Corinthians 5:6-10 (11-13) 14-17
Paul does not let the weakness of the body and his earthly afflictions discourage him because he looks forward to putting off the cloak of mor…