TRV
Translation
King James Version
¶ And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD'S anointed 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.
World English Bible Messianic
When they had come, he looked at Eliab, and said, “Surely the LORD’s anointed is before him.”
Geneva Bible (1599)
And when they were come, hee looked on Eliab, and saide, Surely the Lordes Anointed is before him.
Young's Literal Translation
And it cometh to pass, in their coming in, that he seeth Eliab, and saith, `Surely, before Jehovah is His anointed.'
Study This Verse
Commentary on 1 Samuel 16 verses 6–13
6 ¶ And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD'S anointed is before him.
7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
8 Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.
9 Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.
10 Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these.
11 And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.
12 And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.
13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.
I. II. Main points1. 2. Sub-points
If the sons of Jesse were told that God would provide himself a king among them (as he had said, Sa1 16:1), we may well suppose they all made the best appearance they could, and each hoped he should be the man; but here we are told,
I. How all the elder sons, who stood fairest for the preferment, were passed by.
1.Eliab, the eldest, was privately presented first to Samuel, probably none being present but Jesse only, and Samuel thought he must needs be the man: Surely this is the Lord's anointed, Sa1 16:6. The prophets themselves, when they spoke from under the divine direction, were as liable to mistake as other men; as Nathan, Sa2 7:3. But God rectified the prophet's mistake by a secret whisper to his mind: Look not on his countenance, Sa1 16:7. It was strange that Samuel, who had been so wretchedly disappointed in Saul, whose countenance and stature recommended him as much as any man's could, should be so forward to judge of a man by that rule. When God would please the people with a king he chose a comely man; but, when he would have one after his own heart, he should not be chosen by the outside. Men judge by the sight of the eyes, but God does not, Isa 11:3. The Lord looks on the heart, that is, (1.) He knows it. We can tell how men look, but he can tell what they are. Man looks on the eyes (so the original word is), and is pleased with the liveliness and sprightliness that appear in them; but God looks on the heart, and sees the thoughts and intents of that. (2.) He judges of men by it. The good disposition of the heart, the holiness or goodness of that, recommends us to God, and is in his sight of great price (Pe1 3:4), not the majesty of the look, or the strength and stature of the body. Let us reckon that to be true beauty which is within, and judge of men, as far as we are capable, by their minds, not their mien.
2.When Eliab was set aside, Abinadab and Shammah, and, after them, four more of the sons of Jesse, seven in all, were presented to Samuel, as likely for his purpose; but Samuel, who not attended more carefully than he did at first to the divine direction, rejected them all: The Lord has not chosen these, Sa1 16:8, Sa1 16:10. Men dispose of their honours and estates to their sons according to their seniority of age and priority of birth, but God does not. The elder shall serve the younger. Had it been left to Samuel, or Jesse, to make the choice, one of these would certainly have been chosen; but God will magnify his sovereignty in passing by some that were most promising as well as in fastening on others that were less so.
II. How David at length was pitched upon. He was the youngest of all the sons of Jesse; his name signifies beloved, for he was a type of the beloved Son. Observe, 1. How he was in the fields, keeping the sheep (Sa1 16:11), and was left there, though there was a sacrifice and a feast at his father's house. The youngest are commonly the fondlings of the family, but, it should seem, David was least set by of all the sons of Jesse; either they did not discern or did not duly value the excellent spirit he was of. Many a great genius lies buried in obscurity and contempt; and God often exalts those whom men despise and gives abundant honour to that part which lacked. The Son of David was he whom men despised, the stone which the builders refused, and yet he has a name above every name. David was taken from following ewes to feed Jacob (Psa 78:71), as Moses from keeping the flock of Jethro, an instance of his humility and industry, both which God delights to put honour upon. We should think a military life, but God saw a pastoral life (which gives advantage for contemplation and communion with heaven), the best preparative for kingly power, at least for those graces of the Spirit which are necessary to the due discharge of that trust which attends it. David was keeping sheep, though it was a time of sacrifice; for there is mercy that takes precedence of sacrifice. 2. How earnest Samuel was to have him sent for: "We will not sit down to meat" (perhaps it was not the feast upon the sacrifice, but a common meal) "till he come hither; for, if all the rest be rejected, this must be he." He that designed not to sit at table at all is now waited for as the principal guest. If God will exalt those of low degree, who can hinder? 3. What appearance he made when he did come. No notice is taken of his clothing. No doubt that was according to his employment, mean and coarse, as shepherds' coats commonly are, and he did not change his clothes as Joseph did (Gen 41:14), but he had a very honest look, not stately, as Saul's, but sweet and lovely: He was ruddy, of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to (Sa1 16:12), that is, he had a clear complexion, a good eye, and a lovely face; the features were extraordinary, and there was something in his looks that was very charming. Though he was so far from using any art to help his beauty that his employment exposed it to the sun and wind, yet nature kept its own, and, by the sweetness of his aspect, gave manifest indications of an amiable temper and disposition of mind. Perhaps his modest blush, when he was brought before Samuel, and received by him with surprising respect, made him look much the handsomer. 4. The anointing of him. The Lord told Samuel in his ear (as he had done, Sa1 9:15) that this was he whom he must anoint, Sa1 16:12. Samuel objects not the meanness of his education, his youth, or the little respect he had in his own family, but, in obedience to the divine command, took his horn of oil and anointed him (Sa1 16:13), signifying thereby, (1.) A divine designation to the government, after the death of Saul, of which hereby he gave him a full assurance. Not that he was at present invested with the royal power, but it was entailed upon him, to come to him in due time. (2.) A divine communication of gifts and graces, to fit him for the government, and make him a type of him who was to be the Messiah, the anointed One, who received the Spirit, not by measure, but without measure. He is said to be anointed in the midst of his brethren, who yet, possibly, did not understand it as a designation to the government, and therefore did not envy David (as Joseph's brethren did him), because they saw no further marks of dignity put upon him, no, not so much as a coat of divers colours. But bishop Patrick reads it, He anointed him from the midst of his brethren, that is, he singled him out from the rest, and privately anointed him, but with a charge to keep his own counsel, and not to let his own brethren know it, as by what we find (Sa1 17:28), it should seem, Eliab did not. It is computed that David now was about twenty years old; if so, his troubles by Saul lasted ten years, for he was thirty years old when Saul died. Dr. Lightfoot reckons that he was about twenty-five, and that his troubles lasted but five years. 5. The happy effects of this anointing: The Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward, Sa1 16:13. The anointing of him was not an empty ceremony, but a divine power went along with that instituted sign, and he found himself inwardly advanced in wisdom, and courage, and concern for the public, with all the qualifications of a prince, though not at all advanced in his outward circumstances. This would abundantly satisfy him that his election was of God. The best evidence of our being predestinated to the kingdom of glory is our being sealed with the Spirit of promise, and our experience of a work of grace in our own hearts. Some think that his courage, by which he slew the lion and the bear, and his extraordinary skill in music, were the effects and evidences of the Spirit's coming upon him. However, this made him the sweet psalmist of Israel, Sa2 23:1. Samuel, having done this, went to Ramah in safety, and we never read of him again but once (Sa1 19:18), till we read of his death; now he retired to die in peace, since his eyes had seen the salvation, even the sceptre brought into the tribe of Judah.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 6–13. Public domain.
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Clement of AlexandriaAD 215
The Instructor Book 3
They have gone beyond the limits of impropriety. They have invented mirrors to reflect all this artificial beautification of theirs, as if it were nobility of character or self-improvement. They should, rather, conceal such deception with a veil. It did the handsome Narcissus no good to gaze on his own image, as the Greek myth tells us. If Moses forbade his people to fashion any image to take the place of God, is it right for these women to study their reflected images for no other reason that to distort the natural features of their faces?In much the same way, when Samuel the prophet was sent to anoint one of the sons of Jesse as king, and when he brought out his chrism as soon as he saw the oldest son, admiring his handsomeness and height, Scripture tells us, “The Lord said to him: ‘Look not on his countenance, nor on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For man sees those things that appear, but the Lord beholds the heart.’ ” He finally anointed not the one who was fair in body but the one who was fair of soul. If the Lord places more importance on beauty of soul than on that of the body, what must he think of artificial beautification when he abhors so thoroughly every sort of lie? “We walk by faith, not by sight.”
TertullianAD 220
PRESCRIPTIONS AGAINST HERETICS 3
You are human, and so you know other people only from the outside. You think as you see, and you see only what your eyes let you see. But “the eyes of the Lord are lofty.” “Man looks on the outward appearance, God looks on the heart.” So “the Lord knows them that are his” and roots up the plant which he has not planted. He shows the last to be first, he carries a fan in his hand to purge his floor. Let the chaff of light faith fly away as it pleases before every wind of temptation. So much the purer is the heap of wheat which the Lord will gather into his garner.
Gregory of NazianzusAD 390
ON HOLY BAPTISM, ORATION 40.26
Do not say, “I do not mind a mere priest, if he is a celibate, and a religious [person], and of angelic life; for it would be a sad thing for me to be defiled even in the moment of my cleansing.” Do not ask for credentials of the preacher or the baptizer. For another is his judge and the examiner of what you can’t see. For humans look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.
JeromeAD 420
Against the Pelagians 1.33
He goes to Bethlehem and considers every son of Jesse to be the very person that the Lord was looking for.… He makes the same mistake in each case, and he is reproved in each case, giving evidence of the weakness of the human mind.
BedeAD 735
Commentary on Samuel
And when they had entered, he saw Eliab, etc. He introduces the sons of Jesse, the first, the second, and the third. Among them, none is found worthy to be anointed: because the Synagogue produced doctors of the law, prophets, and psalmists; but all these are participants, in none of them is the author of human salvation found.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
In 1 Samuel 16:6, as the prophet Samuel arrives in Bethlehem to anoint a new king for Israel from among Jesse's sons, his immediate gaze falls upon Eliab, the eldest, prompting him to confidently declare, "Surely the LORD'S anointed is before him." This pivotal moment reveals Samuel's initial reliance on outward appearances and human expectations for leadership, setting the stage for God's profound correction regarding the true criteria for divine selection.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse is strategically placed within the narrative immediately following God's definitive rejection of King Saul due to his persistent disobedience, particularly highlighted by his failure to fully obey the divine command concerning the Amalekites in 1 Samuel 15. Samuel, though grieving over Saul's downfall, is commanded by God to cease mourning and proceed to Bethlehem to anoint one of Jesse's sons as the new king (1 Samuel 16:1). The narrative then meticulously details Samuel's journey, the sacrificial ceremony, and the presentation of Jesse's sons. Verse 6 initiates the selection process, vividly illustrating Samuel's human inclination to judge based on external stature, a tendency that is immediately and powerfully contrasted by God's crucial correction in the subsequent verse (1 Samuel 16:7). The subsequent verses then unfold the rejection of the other brothers and the eventual summoning and anointing of David, the youngest and most overlooked.
Historical & Cultural Context: In ancient Israelite society, the firstborn son traditionally held a position of significant prominence, inheriting a double portion and often assuming leadership within the family. Furthermore, it was culturally common for leaders, especially kings, to possess impressive physical stature and commanding presence, a quality exemplified by Saul himself, who was described as taller than anyone else in Israel (1 Samuel 9:2). Samuel, a product of his time, would naturally look for these outwardly impressive qualities that signified strength, authority, and leadership, attributes often associated with the eldest and physically imposing. The act of anointing with oil was a deeply sacred ritual, signifying divine selection, consecration, and empowerment for a specific office, whether king, priest, or prophet. Bethlehem, though later gaining immense significance as David's birthplace and the future birthplace of the Messiah, was at this time a relatively small, unassuming town, further underscoring the unexpected nature of God's ultimate choice.
Key Themes: This verse serves as a powerful introduction to the overarching theme of divine discernment versus human perception. Samuel, despite his prophetic office, initially judges based on what is outwardly impressive and culturally expected, thereby demonstrating the inherent limitations of even a spiritual leader's human perspective. This directly sets up the profound theological declaration in 1 Samuel 16:7, where God explicitly states that He "does not look at the things people look at; People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart." Another crucial 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 solely on His own divine will and assessment of character. This principle highlights that God often chooses the humble, the overlooked, or the unexpected to fulfill His grand purposes, a theme consistently echoed throughout biblical history, from Jacob's election over Esau to David's anointing over his older, more imposing 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 through David.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The primary literary device at play in this verse, especially when read in conjunction with the immediate following verse, is Dramatic Irony. Samuel, God's esteemed prophet, who has just delivered God's rejection of Saul for his spiritual failures, ironically falls into the very human trap of judging by outward appearance. He, who should be most attuned to God's voice and divine criteria, initially relies on conventional, human standards. This creates a powerful Contrast between Samuel's limited human perspective and God's omniscient, heart-focused discernment, which is explicitly stated in 1 Samuel 16:7. The verse also employs 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, who embodies a "heart after God's own heart."
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Samuel 16:6 serves as a profound theological statement regarding the nature of divine selection and the inherent limitations of human judgment. It vividly illustrates that God's ways and thoughts are fundamentally distinct from humanity's, often defying conventional wisdom, societal expectations, and even the initial perceptions of His own prophets. God's choice is not predicated on external grandeur, physical prowess, or the esteemed position of the firstborn, but rather on an internal disposition—the true 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 superficial show. It challenges believers to look beyond superficialities and to trust in God's perfect discernment, recognizing that true strength and leadership in God's kingdom are frequently found in unexpected places and individuals, chosen not by human merit but by divine grace.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers a profound and enduring lesson for all believers: the pervasive danger of judging by outward appearances and the critical necessity of cultivating spiritual discernment. In a world that often prioritizes superficial qualities—be it physical attractiveness, material wealth, social status, or charismatic personality—Samuel's initial mistake serves as a stark reminder that God operates on an entirely different plane. We are inherently prone to evaluate people, opportunities, and even spiritual leadership based on what is superficially appealing or what 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 diligently seek God's wisdom in our evaluations of others and ourselves, to actively resist the pervasive temptation to conform to worldly standards of judgment, and to trust implicitly in His perfect discernment. It calls us to cultivate a heart that genuinely aligns with God's priorities, knowing that He often chooses the humble and unexpected to fulfill His divine purposes, thereby demonstrating His power through apparent weakness.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did Samuel initially think Eliab was the Lord's anointed?
Answer: Samuel, a man of his time and culture, was naturally influenced by prevailing human expectations and norms for leadership. Eliab was Jesse's eldest son, and it is highly probable that he possessed an impressive physical stature, perhaps tall and strong, much like the current king, Saul (1 Samuel 9:2). In ancient societies, physical appearance, along with the esteemed status of the firstborn, were often considered clear indicators of leadership potential, strength, and even divine favor. Samuel's immediate assumption was thus based on these outward, human-centric criteria, which God immediately and profoundly corrects in the very next verse (1 Samuel 16:7), revealing His true standard.
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 the English word "Messiah" is derived) refers to someone who has been consecrated or set apart for a special, sacred office through the ceremonial pouring of oil. In the context of 1 Samuel, it specifically designates the divinely chosen king of Israel. Samuel's confident declaration meant he believed Eliab was the individual God had personally selected and empowered to be the next ruler, replacing Saul. It signifies a profound divine appointment for a sacred and weighty office.
How does this verse relate to God's previous rejection of King Saul?
Answer: This verse provides a striking contrast and a direct continuation of the narrative concerning Saul's rejection. King Saul himself was initially chosen partly because of his impressive physical stature, being described as "a handsome young man... from his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people" (1 Samuel 9:2). His reign, however, was ultimately marked by disobedience and a lack of heart for God, leading to God's definitive rejection of him as king (1 Samuel 15:23). Samuel's initial judgment of Eliab based on similar outward, humanly impressive qualities highlights the persistent human tendency to choose leaders based on superficial criteria, which often leads to flawed choices. God's immediate and pivotal correction in 1 Samuel 16:7 ("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, thereby setting the crucial stage for David's anointing.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Samuel's mistaken judgment of Eliab, and God's subsequent, unexpected choice of David, profoundly foreshadows the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ, the ultimate "Anointed One" (Messiah). Like David, Jesus did not come in the way human expectations or worldly standards 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, unassuming town of Nazareth (John 1:46), born to a carpenter, and described by the prophet Isaiah as having "no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him" (Isaiah 53:2). Just as God looked past Eliab's impressive stature to David's heart, so too did God choose to reveal His glory and power through the humility and servanthood of Jesus, who "made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant" (Philippians 2:7). 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). His kingdom is not of this world, nor is it built on worldly power or external display, but on righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). Thus, Samuel's initial error serves as a powerful Old Testament illustration of God's consistent method of choosing the humble, the overlooked, and the unexpected to accomplish His greatest redemptive purposes, culminating in the Christ, who perfectly embodies the heart after God's own heart.