Ecclesiastes tells us in a number of different ways that ending well matters. in fact the implication running through the book is that starting well is easy; ending well is much more of a challenge: “The end of a matter is better than its beginning; the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.”
1 Samuel 16 is a transition point in the history of Israel. Samuel's life and ministry is coming to an end and David's kingship and the Davidic kingdom is just beginning. 1 Samuel 16 is an ideal lens to look closely at the end of a matter (Samuel's life and ministry) and the beginning of a matter (David and his rule).