1 Samuel 16:6

KJV

¶ And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD'S anointed [is] before him.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it came to pass, when they were come {H935}, that he looked {H7200} on Eliab {H446}, and said {H559}, Surely the LORD'S {H3068} anointed {H4899} is before him.

Complete Jewish Bible

When they had come, he looked at Eli'av and said, "This has to be ADONAI's anointed one, here before him."

Berean Standard Bible

When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and said, “Surely here before the LORD is His anointed.”

American Standard Version

And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely Jehovah’s anointed is before him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
In 1 Samuel 16:6, the prophet Samuel, sent by God to anoint a new king for Israel from among Jesse's sons in Bethlehem, immediately fixes his gaze upon Eliab, Jesse's eldest, and confidently declares him to be "the LORD'S anointed." This pivotal moment reveals Samuel's initial reliance on outward appearances and human expectations for leadership, setting the stage for God's profound correction in the subsequent verse regarding divine discernment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated immediately after God's definitive rejection of King Saul due to his disobedience, particularly his failure to fully obey the command regarding the Amalekites in [1 Samuel 15](/1_samuel/15 "1 Samuel 15 - Saul's Disobedience and Rejection"). Samuel is in a state of grief over Saul, but God commands him to cease mourning and go to Bethlehem to anoint one of Jesse's sons as the new king ([1 Samuel 16:1](/1_samuel/16-1 "1 Samuel 16:1 - God Commands Samuel to Anoint a New King")). The narrative then focuses on Samuel's journey, the sacrificial ceremony, and the presentation of Jesse's sons. Verse 6 marks the beginning of the selection process, highlighting Samuel's human tendency to judge by outward stature, which is directly contrasted by God's immediate and crucial correction in [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - God Looks at the Heart"). The subsequent verses detail the passing of the other sons and the eventual summoning and anointing of David.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, the firstborn son often held a position of prominence and inheritance, and it was culturally common for leaders, especially kings, to possess impressive physical stature, as exemplified by Saul himself ([1 Samuel 9:2](/1_samuel/9-2 "1 Samuel 9:2 - Saul's Stature")). Samuel, a man of his time, would naturally look for qualities that signified strength, leadership, and perhaps a commanding presence—attributes often associated with the eldest and physically imposing. The act of anointing with oil was a sacred ritual, signifying divine selection and consecration for a specific office, whether king, priest, or prophet. Bethlehem, while later significant as David's birthplace and the future birthplace of the Messiah, was at this time a relatively small, unassuming town, further highlighting the unexpected nature of God's choice.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully introduces the theme of **divine discernment versus human perception**. Samuel, despite being a prophet, initially judges based on what is outwardly impressive and culturally expected, demonstrating the limitations of even a spiritual leader's human perspective. This directly sets up the profound theological statement in [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - God Looks at the Heart"), where God explicitly states that He does not look at outward appearance but at the heart. Another key theme is **God's sovereign choice and unexpected methods**. God's selection of a leader is not based on human standards, societal expectations, or even the prophet's initial intuition, but purely on His own divine will and assessment of character. This underscores that God often chooses the humble, the overlooked, or the unexpected to fulfill His purposes, a theme echoed throughout biblical history, from Jacob over Esau to David over his older brothers. Finally, the phrase "the LORD'S anointed" introduces the significant theme of **kingship and divine appointment**, foreshadowing the establishment of a divinely chosen dynasty.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Anointed (Hebrew, _māšîaḥ'_):** This term is the root of the English word "Messiah" and refers to one who has been consecrated or set apart for a special office, typically a king, through the ceremonial pouring of oil. Samuel's immediate thought that Eliab was the *māšîaḥ* demonstrates his initial focus on external qualities aligning with his human expectations of a king. It signifies a divinely chosen and empowered individual.
* **Eliab (Hebrew, _ʾĔlîʾāv'_):** Meaning "My God is Father" or "God is my Father." While his name is significant, it's his physical appearance that draws Samuel's attention, not his inherent character or his name's meaning. He is presented as the archetypal firstborn, physically impressive, embodying the kind of leader human eyes would select.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab":** This clause sets the scene, emphasizing the moment of decision. Samuel, having gathered Jesse and his sons for the sacrifice and the subsequent anointing, begins the process of evaluation. His gaze immediately falls upon Eliab, highlighting Eliab's prominent presence or impressive stature that instantly captivated Samuel's attention, perhaps due to his height or commanding appearance, reminiscent of Saul.
* **"and said, Surely the LORD'S anointed [is] before him":** This is Samuel's confident, yet mistaken, declaration. The phrase "the LORD'S anointed" (Hebrew: *māšîaḥ YHWH*) carries immense theological weight, signifying the one chosen and consecrated by God to rule. Samuel's certainty ("Surely") underscores his conviction that Eliab embodies the ideal king, based on what he perceives externally. This statement reveals Samuel's human tendency to equate outward impressiveness with divine favor and suitability for leadership, a perception that God is about to correct.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in this verse, especially when read in conjunction with the immediate following verse, is **Irony**. Samuel, God's prophet, who has been intimately involved in God's rejection of Saul for his disobedience, ironically falls into the same trap of judging by outward appearance. He, who should be attuned to God's voice and divine criteria, initially relies on human standards. This creates a dramatic **Contrast** between Samuel's limited human perspective and God's omniscient, heart-focused discernment, which is explicitly stated in [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - God Looks at the Heart"). The verse also employs a subtle form of **Foreshadowing**, as Samuel's initial misjudgment sets the stage for God's revelation of a different, deeper criterion for kingship, thereby preparing the reader for the unexpected choice of David.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 16:6 serves as a powerful theological statement about the nature of divine selection and the limitations of human judgment. It underscores that God's ways and thoughts are fundamentally different from humanity's, often defying conventional wisdom and societal expectations. God's choice is not predicated on external grandeur, physical prowess, or even the esteemed position of the firstborn, but on an internal disposition—the condition of the heart. This passage emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty in choosing His leaders and instruments, revealing that His criteria are rooted in character, humility, and faithfulness rather than outward show. It challenges us to look beyond superficialities and trust in God's perfect discernment, recognizing that true strength and leadership in God's kingdom are often found in unexpected places and individuals.

* [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts are Higher")
* [Proverbs 21:2](/proverbs/21-2 "Proverbs 21:2 - The Lord Weighs the Heart")
* [Psalm 33:10-11](/psalms/33-10 "Psalm 33:10-11 - The Lord's Counsel Stands Forever")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers a profound lesson for all believers: the danger of judging by outward appearances and the necessity of cultivating spiritual discernment. In a world that often prioritizes superficial qualities—looks, wealth, status, or charisma—Samuel's initial mistake reminds us that God operates on an entirely different plane. We are prone to evaluate people, opportunities, and even spiritual leadership based on what is superficially appealing or fits our preconceived notions of success and strength. However, God consistently looks beyond the exterior to the true character and condition of the heart, valuing integrity, humility, and faithfulness above all else. This principle encourages us to seek God's wisdom in our evaluations of others and ourselves, to resist the temptation to conform to worldly standards of judgment, and to trust His perfect discernment. It calls us to cultivate a heart that aligns with God's priorities, knowing that He often chooses the humble and unexpected to fulfill His divine purposes, demonstrating His power through weakness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to judge others or situations based primarily on outward appearances?**
* **How can I cultivate a heart that seeks to discern character and spiritual depth rather than superficial qualities?**
* **What might it look like to apply God's principle of looking at the heart in my relationships, my workplace, or my church community?**
* **How does this verse challenge my own self-perception and my pursuit of external validation?**

### FAQ

**Why did Samuel initially think Eliab was the Lord's anointed?**

Answer: Samuel, like many people, was influenced by cultural norms and human expectations. Eliab was the eldest son, and likely possessed an impressive physical stature, perhaps tall and strong like the current king, Saul ([1 Samuel 9:2](/1_samuel/9-2 "1 Samuel 9:2 - Saul's Stature")). In ancient cultures, physical appearance and the status of the firstborn were often seen as indicators of leadership potential and divine favor. Samuel's immediate assumption was based on these outward, human criteria, which God immediately corrects in the very next verse ([1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - God Looks at the Heart")).

**What does "the LORD'S anointed" mean in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "the LORD'S anointed" translates the Hebrew *mashiach YHWH*. The term *mashiach* (from which we get "Messiah") refers to someone who has been consecrated or set apart for a special office through the ceremonial pouring of oil. In this context, it specifically refers to the divinely chosen king of Israel. Samuel's declaration means he believed Eliab was the one God had selected and empowered to be the next ruler, replacing Saul. It signifies a profound divine appointment for a sacred office.

**How does this verse relate to God's previous rejection of King Saul?**

Answer: This verse provides a striking contrast and continuation of the narrative concerning Saul's rejection. Saul himself was chosen partly because of his impressive physical stature, being "a handsome young man... from his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people" ([1 Samuel 9:2](/1_samuel/9-2 "1 Samuel 9:2 - Saul's Stature")). His reign, however, was marked by disobedience, leading to God's rejection ([1 Samuel 15:23](/1_samuel/15-23 "1 Samuel 15:23 - Saul's Rejection for Disobedience")). Samuel's initial judgment of Eliab based on similar outward qualities highlights that human standards for leadership often lead to flawed choices. God's immediate correction in [1 Samuel 16:7](/1_samuel/16-7 "1 Samuel 16:7 - God Looks at the Heart") ("man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart") signals a fundamental shift in divine criteria for kingship, moving from external show to internal character, setting the stage for David's anointing.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Samuel's mistaken judgment of Eliab, and God's subsequent choice of David, profoundly foreshadows the person and work of Jesus Christ, the ultimate "Anointed One" (Messiah). Like David, Jesus did not come in the way human expectations might have dictated. He was not born into royal splendor, nor did He possess the kind of imposing physical presence that would impress worldly leaders. Instead, He came from the humble town of Nazareth ([John 1:46](/john/1-46 "John 1:46 - Can anything good come out of Nazareth?")), born to a carpenter, and described by Isaiah as having "no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him" ([Isaiah 53:2](/isaiah/53-2 "Isaiah 53:2 - The Suffering Servant's Appearance")). Just as God looked past Eliab's impressive stature to David's heart, so too did God choose to reveal His glory through the humility and servanthood of Jesus, who "made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant" ([Philippians 2:7](/philippians/2-7 "Philippians 2:7 - Christ's Humility")). Jesus is the true Lamb of God, chosen not by human vote or outward show, but by divine decree, to take away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). His kingdom is not of this world, nor is it built on worldly power, but on righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit ([Romans 14:17](/romans/14-17 "Romans 14:17 - The Kingdom of God")). Thus, Samuel's initial error serves as a powerful Old Testament illustration of God's consistent method of choosing the humble and unexpected to accomplish His greatest redemptive purposes, culminating in the Christ, who perfectly embodies the heart after God's own heart.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Samuel 17:13

And the three eldest sons of Jesse went [and] followed Saul to the battle: and the names of his three sons that went to the battle [were] Eliab the firstborn, and next unto him Abinadab, and the third Shammah.

1 Chronicles 2:13

And Jesse begat his firstborn Eliab, and Abinadab the second, and Shimma the third,

1 Samuel 17:22

And David left his carriage in the hand of the keeper of the carriage, and ran into the army, and came and saluted his brethren.

Judges 8:18

¶ Then said he unto Zebah and Zalmunna, What manner of men [were they] whom ye slew at Tabor? And they answered, As thou [art], so [were] they; each one resembled the children of a king.

1 Kings 12:26

And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David:

1 Chronicles 27:18

Of Judah, Elihu, [one] of the brethren of David: of Issachar, Omri the son of Michael: