1 Samuel 16:5

Peaceably. Samuel quieted all their fears and authorized them to sanctify themselves, that is, to go through the procedure for ceremonial cleansing, which included bathing of the body, washing of the clothing, and continence (see Ex. 19:10-15; 1 Sam. 21:4-6). Samuel personally saw to it that Jesse and at least his older sons were purified (1 Sam. 16:5). Then all were called to the sacrifice. A few hours would elapse between the sacrifice and the feast, for the heifer must be dressed and roasted before they could eat of it. Samuel took advantage of this interval to become better acquainted with Jesse and his family. That they had not yet assembled themselves for the feast is clear from v. 11, where David is brought in from the fields before they sat down to eat.