1 Samuel 16:6

6 When they came, he saw Eliab and thought, "Certainly, here in the LORD's presence is his anointed king."

1 Samuel 16:6 Meaning and Commentary

1 Samuel 16:6

And it came to pass, when they were come
Jesse and his sons, into the house where the entertainment was; and perhaps before they sat down, went into a private apartment by the direction of Samuel, where he acquainted Jesse with the business he came upon:

that he looked on Eliab;
who was Jesse's firstborn, ( 1 Chronicles 2:13 ) , called Elihu, ( 1 Chronicles 27:18 )

and said, surely the Lord's anointed is before him;
or this is the person it is his pleasure should be anointed king.

1 Samuel 16:6 In-Context

4 Samuel did what the LORD told him. When he came to Bethlehem, the leaders of the city, trembling with fear, greeted him and said, "May peace be with you."

5 "Greetings," he replied, "I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Perform the ceremonies to make yourselves holy, and come with me to the sacrifice." He performed the ceremonies for Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.

6 When they came, he saw Eliab and thought, "Certainly, here in the LORD's presence is his anointed king."

7 But the LORD told Samuel, "Don't look at his appearance or how tall he is, because I have rejected him. God does not see as humans see. Humans look at outward appearances, but the LORD looks into the heart."

8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and brought him to Samuel. But Samuel said, "The LORD has not chosen this one either."