When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab(A) and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.”

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance,(B) but the Lord looks at the heart.”(C)

Then Jesse called Abinadab(D) and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” Jesse then had Shammah(E) pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all(F) the sons you have?”

“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”(G)

Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”

12 So he(H) sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome(I) features.

Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”

Read full chapter

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

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.

Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the Lord chosen this.

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.

Read full chapter

So it was, when they came, that he looked at (A)Eliab and (B)said, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before Him!”

But the Lord said to Samuel, (C)“Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have [a]refused him. (D)For[b] the Lord does not see as man sees; for man (E)looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the (F)heart.”

So Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, “Neither has the Lord chosen this one.” 10 Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen these.” 11 And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all the young men here?” Then he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the (G)sheep.”

And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him. For we will not [c]sit down till he comes here.” 12 So he sent and brought him in. Now he was (H)ruddy, (I)with [d]bright eyes, and good-looking. (J)And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!”

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 1 Samuel 16:7 rejected
  2. 1 Samuel 16:7 LXX For God does not see as man sees; Tg. It is not by the appearance of a man; Vg. Nor do I judge according to the looks of a man
  3. 1 Samuel 16:11 So with LXX, Vg.; MT turn around; Tg., Syr. turn away
  4. 1 Samuel 16:12 Lit. beautiful