1 Samuel 16:12

12 So Jesse sent for him. He was a handsome, healthy young man, and his eyes sparkled. The Lord said to Samuel, "This is the one - anoint him!"

1 Samuel 16:12 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 16:12

And he sent and brought him in
Sent messengers into the field and to the flock for him, and being come home Jesse introduced him into the room where Samuel was:

now he was ruddy;
which some understand not of the ruddiness of his complexion, or of his cheeks, but of the redness of his hair; the former seems best:

and withal of a beautiful countenance;
of comely features: or "beautiful eyes" F5; bright, clear, and sparkling; eyes that are black or blue are reckoned beautiful:

and goodly to look to;
of a pleasant countenance, delightful to behold; he carried sweetness as well as majesty in his face; in this he was a type of Christ, ( Song of Solomon 5:10 Song of Solomon 5:16 ) . A beautiful aspect, as well as shape and height, recommended persons for government, as with the Ethiopians, as Aristotle F6 relates; so Agamemnon is represented by Priamus F7 for his personable appearance, as like a king, and fit to be one:

and the Lord said, arise, anoint him, for this is he;
that he had spoken to him of, and who it was his pleasure should be anointed king; and therefore, by a secret strong impulse upon his mind, was put upon doing it immediately, without any hesitation or delay.


FOOTNOTES:

F5 (Mynye hpy Me) "simul pulcher oculis", Montanus; "cum pulchritudine oculorum", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.
F6 Politic. l. 4. c. 4.
F7 Homer. Iliad. 3. v. 166.

1 Samuel 16:12 In-Context

10 In this way Jesse brought seven of his sons to Samuel. And Samuel said to him, "No, the Lord hasn't chosen any of these."
11 Then he asked him, "Do you have any more sons?" Jesse answered, "There is still the youngest, but he is out taking care of the sheep." "Tell him to come here," Samuel said. "We won't offer the sacrifice until he comes."
12 So Jesse sent for him. He was a handsome, healthy young man, and his eyes sparkled. The Lord said to Samuel, "This is the one - anoint him!"
13 Samuel took the olive oil and anointed David in front of his brothers. Immediately the spirit of the Lord took control of David and was with him from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah.
14 The Lord's spirit left Saul, and an evil spirit sent by the Lord tormented him.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.