1 Samuel 16:6-9

6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.”

7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.”

9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.”

1 Samuel 16:6-9 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST SAMUEL 16

In this chapter Samuel is ordered to anoint a king among the sons of Jesse of Bethlehem, 1Sa 16:1-5 all whose sons were made to pass before him, excepting David, 1Sa 16:6-10 who being then with his father's sheep, was sent for and was anointed, 1Sa 16:11-13, after which the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, and he became melancholy, and it was advised to seek out a musician for him, and David was mentioned to him as a proper person, 1Sa 16:14-18 upon which he was sent for, and acted as a musician to Saul, and also became his armourbearer, which was the first rise of him, 1Sa 16:19-23.

Cross References

• 1. 1 Samuel 17:13; 1 Chronicles 2:13
• 2. Psalms 147:10
• 3. S 1 Samuel 2:3; 2 Samuel 7:20; S Psalms 44:21; S Psalms 139:23; S Revelation 2:23; 1 Kings 8:39; 1 Chronicles 28:9; Isaiah 55:8
• 4. 1 Samuel 17:13
• 5. 1 Samuel 17:13; 2 Samuel 13:3; 2 Samuel 21:21