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Commentary on 1 Samuel 16 verses 6–13
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.
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SUMMARY
1 Samuel 16:8 continues the unfolding narrative of God's selection of Israel's next king, following the definitive rejection of Saul. After Samuel mistakenly assumed Jesse's eldest son, Eliab, was the Lord's chosen, this verse records Jesse presenting his second son, Abinadab. It details Samuel's observation and the subsequent divine declaration, confirming that Abinadab, like his brother, was also not the one God had appointed for the throne. This moment further reinforces the profound theological truth that God's criteria for leadership are vastly different from human perceptions, consistently prioritizing the unseen qualities of the heart over outward appearance or conventional expectations.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse is deeply embedded within the pivotal transition narrative in 1 Samuel 16, where God initiates the process of replacing King Saul. The preceding chapter, 1 Samuel 15, details Saul's complete rejection by God due to his persistent disobedience, particularly regarding the Amalekites. Samuel, grieving over Saul, is then divinely commanded in 1 Samuel 16:1 to journey to Bethlehem to anoint one of Jesse's sons. The foundational principle for this divine selection is explicitly articulated in 1 Samuel 16:7: "for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart." This principle is immediately demonstrated in 1 Samuel 16:6, where Samuel, upon seeing Eliab's impressive stature, presumes he is God's choice, only to be corrected. The presentation and subsequent rejection of Abinadab in 1 Samuel 16:8 serves as a direct, repeated application of this divine standard, sequentially eliminating candidates who might appear suitable by human criteria, thereby building suspense and deepening the lesson for Samuel and the reader.
Historical & Cultural Context: In ancient Israel, the concept of kingship was relatively new, having been established in response to the people's desire for a monarch "like all the nations" (1 Samuel 8:5). Human expectations for a king often centered on physical attributes like height, strength, and commanding presence, as exemplified by Saul, who was described as exceptionally handsome and tall (1 Samuel 9:2). The anointing ceremony, performed by a prophet like Samuel, was a sacred act symbolizing divine appointment and the impartation of God's Spirit for leadership. Jesse, as the patriarch, would naturally present his sons in hierarchical order, typically eldest first, reflecting the cultural significance of primogeniture. The repeated rejections of his older, seemingly more impressive sons, including Abinadab, powerfully underscore God's active subversion of these conventional human and cultural norms regarding leadership, preparing the way for an unexpected choice.
Key Themes: The successive rejections of Jesse's sons in this passage powerfully reinforce the overarching theme of Divine Selection vs. Human Perception. God's choice for leadership is consistently shown to be independent of human standards of appearance, strength, or social standing, directly contrasting with the world's criteria. This highlights God's Sovereignty in Leadership, demonstrating His absolute authority to appoint leaders according to His unique wisdom and purpose, irrespective of human qualifications or preferences. The narrative also introduces the theme of God's Unconventional Choice, preparing the reader for the eventual selection of David, the youngest and least expected son, who is tending sheep (1 Samuel 16:11). This narrative arc emphasizes that God often works through the humble, the overlooked, and those who defy conventional expectations, challenging prevailing societal norms of power and influence.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices to convey its profound message. Repetition is evident in the successive rejections of Jesse's sons, emphasizing God's consistent standard and Samuel's repeated learning curve. This creates a rhythmic pattern that highlights the theme of human fallibility in discerning divine will. There is a strong Contrast between human perception and divine judgment, a theme explicitly stated in 1 Samuel 16:7 and vividly illustrated here. Samuel, representing human discernment, continues to look at external qualities, while God consistently looks at the heart. This sets up an Irony where the seemingly most qualified sons are rejected, foreshadowing the eventual selection of the least expected, David. The narrative also uses Foreshadowing, as the repeated rejections build suspense and prepare the reader for the surprising revelation of God's true choice, a choice that will defy all conventional expectations and introduce a new type of leader for Israel.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The rejection of Abinadab, following that of Eliab, profoundly underscores the theological truth that God's selection criteria for leadership, especially within His covenant people, are fundamentally different from human standards. While humanity often values outward appearance, strength, charisma, or social standing, God consistently looks beyond the superficial to the inner character, the heart's disposition, and the individual's readiness to be shaped by His Spirit. This passage teaches that true divine appointment is not earned by human merit or outward impressiveness, but is a sovereign act of God based on His perfect knowledge and unique purposes. It challenges believers to cultivate a heart posture that is humble, obedient, and receptive to God's will, recognizing that God's wisdom far surpasses our own in discerning who is truly fit for His service and glory.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The repeated rejections of Jesse's sons serve as a powerful spiritual lesson for us today. In a world that often prioritizes external qualifications, social media presence, or superficial charm, this narrative calls us to recalibrate our own discernment, both of ourselves and of others. It challenges us to look beyond the surface, to value character and integrity over outward show, and to recognize that God's anointing often falls on the humble and the unexpected. This should lead us to greater humility, knowing that our human judgments are often flawed, and to a deeper trust in God's sovereign wisdom. It encourages us to cultivate a heart that is truly devoted to God, for it is there that He looks for those He will use for His purposes. Furthermore, it reminds us that God's timing and methods are perfect, even when they seem slow or counter-intuitive to our expectations.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did Jesse continue to present his sons if Samuel had already been corrected about Eliab?
Answer: Jesse was likely unaware of the specific divine instruction Samuel received regarding Eliab's rejection and the profound principle of God looking at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Samuel, as the prophet, was the one receiving the direct divine revelation. From Jesse's perspective, he was simply presenting his sons in order of birth, hoping that one of them would be the chosen king. This was a natural, patriarchal response to Samuel's request. The repeated presentations and rejections served not only to eliminate candidates but, more importantly, to teach Samuel—and by extension, the reader—the profound lesson that God's ways and thoughts are infinitely higher than human ways and thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). Each rejection further emphasized that God's choice would be truly unique and unexpected, not based on human logic, conventional standards, or even the prophet's initial assumptions.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of God's selection of an unlikely king in 1 Samuel 16:8 finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Just as God rejected outwardly impressive candidates in favor of David, a humble shepherd, so too did God choose to send His Son not in the form of an earthly king with imposing stature or military might, but as a humble servant, born in a manger in Bethlehem (Luke 2:7). Jesus did not possess the physical grandeur or political influence that human beings often associate with kingship; indeed, Isaiah 53:2 prophesied that He would have "no beauty or majesty to attract us to him." He was "despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief" (Isaiah 53:3). Yet, it was precisely through His humility, His willingness to empty Himself (Philippians 2:7), and His perfect obedience to the Father, even to the point of death on a cross (Philippians 2:8), that God exalted Him to the highest place, giving Him the name that is above every name (Philippians 2:9). The rejection of Abinadab, based on God looking at the heart rather than outward appearance, perfectly foreshadows the divine wisdom in choosing Christ, whose true kingship is spiritual and eternal, established not by human acclamation but by divine decree and sacrificial love (John 18:36). He is the true King chosen by God, whose reign is over hearts and lives, not just earthly kingdoms.