1 Samuel 16:9

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Yishai presented Shammah; again Sh'mu'el said, "ADONAI hasn't chosen this one either."

Berean Standard Bible:

Next Jesse presented Shammah, but Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.”

American Standard Version:

Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath Jehovah chosen this.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Then Jesse^{H3448} made Shammah^{H8048} to pass by^{H5674}. And he said^{H559}, Neither hath the LORD^{H3068} chosen^{H977} this.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for 1 Samuel 16:9

1 Samuel 16:9 is part of the narrative where the prophet Samuel, at God's command, is seeking to anoint a new king for Israel from among the sons of Jesse of Bethlehem. This event occurs after God has rejected Saul as king due to his disobedience. Samuel initially assumes that Jesse's eldest son, Eliab, must be the Lord's chosen one because of his impressive stature and appearance. However, God reminds Samuel that man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

In the verse, Jesse presents his son Shammah to Samuel, but Shammah is not the one the Lord has chosen. This scene is part of a process where Jesse's seven eldest sons are presented to Samuel, and each time, the Lord indicates that none of them is the chosen one. It is only after all the visible candidates have been considered and found wanting that David, the youngest son, who is out tending the sheep, is called. David's anointing as the future king of Israel underscores the theme that God's criteria for leadership and His plans for His people often differ from human expectations.

The historical context of this verse is set during a time of transition and uncertainty for Israel. The nation is moving away from a period of charismatic leadership under Samuel to a monarchical structure. The choice of David, a humble shepherd boy, as the future king foreshadows a significant shift in the fortunes of Israel and the establishment of a dynasty that will be central to Israel's identity and hope, eventually leading to the expectation of the Messiah, a descendant of David. The verse emphasizes the sovereignty of God in choosing leaders and the importance of inner character over outward appearance, a lesson that remains relevant in considerations of leadership and divine providence.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H3448
   There are 39 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יִשַׁי
   Transliteration: Yishay
   Pronunciation: yee-shah'-ee
   Description: by Aramaic אִישַׁי; from the same as יֵשׁ; extant; Jishai, David's father; Jesse.
   
2. Strong's Number: H8048
   There are 8 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שַׁמָּה
   Transliteration: Shammâh
   Pronunciation: sham-maw'
   Description: the same as שַׁמָּה; Shammah, the name of an Edomite and four Israelites; Shammah.
   
3. Strong's Number: H5674
   There are 493 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָבַר
   Transliteration: ʻâbar
   Pronunciation: aw-bar'
   Description: a primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in copulation); alienate, alter, [idiom] at all, beyond, bring (over, through), carry over, (over-) come (on, over), conduct (over), convey over, current, deliver, do away, enter, escape, fail, gender, get over, (make) go (away, beyond, by, forth, his way, in, on, over, through), have away (more), lay, meddle, overrun, make partition, (cause to, give, make to, over) pass(-age, along, away, beyond, by, -enger, on, out, over, through), (cause to, make) [phrase] proclaim(-amation), perish, provoke to anger, put away, rage, [phrase] raiser of taxes, remove, send over, set apart, [phrase] shave, cause to (make) sound, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] sweet smelling, take (away), (make to) transgress(-or), translate, turn away, (way-) faring man, be wrath.
   
4. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
5. Strong's Number: H3068
   There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יְהֹוָה
   Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
   Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
   Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה.
   
6. Strong's Number: H977
   There are 164 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: בָּחַר
   Transliteration: bâchar
   Pronunciation: baw-khar'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select; acceptable, appoint, choose (choice), excellent, join, be rather, require.