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1 Samuel 16:11

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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.

And Samuel {H8050} said {H559} unto Jesse {H3448}, Are here all {H8552} thy children {H5288}? And he said {H559}, There remaineth {H7604} yet the youngest {H6996}, and, behold, he keepeth {H7462} the sheep {H6629}. And Samuel {H8050} said {H559} unto Jesse {H3448}, Send {H7971} and fetch {H3947} him: for we will not sit down {H5437} till he come {H935} hither {H6311}.

Are all your sons here?" Sh'mu'el asked Yishai. He replied, "There is still the youngest; he's out there tending the sheep." Sh'mu'el said to Yishai, "Send and bring him back, because we won't sit down to eat until he gets here."

And Samuel asked him, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied, “but he is tending the sheep.” “Send for him,” Samuel replied. “For we will not sit down to eat until he arrives.”

And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he is keeping the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him; for we will not sit down till he come hither.

Commentary

1 Samuel 16:11 marks a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative, revealing God's surprising choice for Israel's next king. Following the rejection of King Saul, the prophet Samuel is on a divine mission to anoint a new leader from the house of Jesse in Bethlehem.

Context

Earlier in the chapter, God instructed Samuel to go to Jesse's house, assuring him that He had "provided me a king among his sons." Samuel, however, had already been impressed by Jesse's eldest son, Eliab, only to be corrected by the Lord: "for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." After all seven of Jesse's presented sons were rejected by God, Samuel's persistent question, "Are here all [thy] children?", finally uncovers the one overlooked: the youngest, David, who was out tending the sheep. This scene underscores the divine method of selection, often contrasting sharply with human expectations and judgments.

Key Themes

  • Divine Selection Over Human Expectation: This verse powerfully illustrates that God's ways are not man's ways. Jesse, like Samuel initially, overlooked David because of his youth and humble occupation. God, however, had already seen David's heart and potential.
  • Humility and Faithfulness: David's role as a shepherd, though seemingly insignificant, was a training ground for his future kingship. It taught him care, protection, and leadership, preparing him for the immense responsibility of shepherding a nation. God often raises up leaders from positions of humility and faithfulness in small tasks.
  • God's Unwavering Purpose: Samuel's firm declaration, "Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither," highlights the divine imperative behind this search. God's plan would not be thwarted or delayed; His chosen one must be brought forth.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew term for "youngest" (הַקָּטֹן - haqqaṭon) literally means "the small one" or "the least." This emphasizes David's perceived insignificance within his family and society at the time. His humble status further highlights God's radical choice, demonstrating that His criteria for leadership are entirely different from human standards, often choosing the weak and foolish things of the world to confound the wise.

Practical Application

1 Samuel 16:11 serves as a timeless reminder that God sees beyond superficial appearances and societal norms. It encourages believers to:

  • Not Underestimate Anyone: Just as David was overlooked, we should be careful not to judge or dismiss individuals based on their age, background, or current role. God often places extraordinary potential in ordinary people.
  • Value Faithfulness in Small Things: David's diligence as a shepherd was not wasted. Our faithfulness in seemingly minor responsibilities can be preparation for greater callings.
  • Trust God's Process: God's timing and methods may not always align with our expectations, but His choices are always perfect and purposeful. This verse sets the stage for David's anointing as king, a shepherd who would become the shepherd of Israel, foreshadowing even the ultimate Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ (John 10:11).
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 78:70 (7 votes)

    He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:

  • Psalms 78:71 (7 votes)

    From following the ewes great with young he brought him to feed Jacob his people, and Israel his inheritance.

  • 2 Samuel 7:8 (5 votes)

    Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel:

  • 2 Samuel 13:3 (4 votes)

    But Amnon had a friend, whose name [was] Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother: and Jonadab [was] a very subtil man.

  • 1 Chronicles 17:7 (4 votes)

    Now therefore thus shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, [even] from following the sheep, that thou shouldest be ruler over my people Israel:

  • 1 Samuel 17:28 (4 votes)

    And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.

  • 1 Samuel 17:12 (3 votes)

    ¶ Now David [was] the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehemjudah, whose name [was] Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men [for] an old man in the days of Saul.