שמואל א, פרק ט״ז, פסוק י״ג

A fateful turning point arrives as a new king is anointed, and the name David is finally revealed [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This sacred act triggers a profound spiritual transformation within him.

The exact setting of this event is a matter of discussion. One approach suggests the anointing takes place directly in the presence of his family, with no outsiders allowed [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This gathering specifically ensures a quorum of ten—Jesse, his eight sons, and Samuel—allowing the Divine Presence to rest upon David in a state of complete holiness and purity [מלבי״ם]. Conversely, another perspective argues the ceremony is conducted in absolute secrecy to prevent King Saul from discovering the act. In this view, David is simply chosen and set apart from his brothers, but the actual anointing happens in private or solely in the presence of his father [רד״ק, אברבנאל, מלבי״ם].

Following the anointing, the Spirit of God passes over and rests deeply upon David [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Commentators agree this divine spirit impacts him on multiple levels. First, it fills him with bravery, a courage that later empowers him to strike down the lion, the bear, and the Philistine Goliath [רש״י, מצודת ציון, רד״ק, אברבנאל]. Second, it grants him a spirit of prophecy and divine inspiration, providing the profound wisdom needed to compose songs and psalms [רד״ק, אברבנאל]. Finally, this spirit manifests as extraordinary success in everything he sets out to do [רלב״ג, אברבנאל].

The impact of this anointing begins immediately but reveals its full power gradually over time [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Meanwhile, as David is filled with divine favor, the Spirit of God departs from Saul. It is replaced by an evil spirit, a tragic shift specifically designed to pave the way for David's eventual rise to the throne [רלב״ג]. With his crucial mission complete, Samuel the prophet leaves the scene and returns to his home in Ramah [ביאור שטיינזלץ].