1 Samuel 16:1

How long? Saul had made an inspiring leader. As the first chief of state under a new form of administration, he had almost hypnotic power over the high-spirited and independence-loving Israelite people. But he had rapidly developed into a despot — cruel, tyrannical, and unforgiving. Let it be remembered, however, that although the king had refused God’s counsel, and had effectively separated the nation from His guidance, yet this did not bar Saul from salvation as an individual. Nebuchadnezzar, for example, gloried in the thought that his god Marduk was stronger than Jehovah, yet God’s Holy Spirit appealed to him through Daniel — so much so that he extolled the God of Daniel as the Most High (Dan. 4:34-37).

Jesse the Beth-lehemite. Samuel was probably acquainted with some of the people of Bethlehem from previous visits. Although he probably knew Jesse, he was unacquainted with the rest of his family (vs. 11, 12).