I Samuel 16:8-13 · Bible study
1 Samuel 16:8-13 Commentary: God's Unlikely Choice of David
Hebrew · 9 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
How God's rejection of seven sons and anointing of David reveals divine selection based on the heart, not outward appearance.
Research Summary
- Meaning: God’s choice of the overlooked youngest son demonstrates that divine selection is based on inward character, not outward appearance.
- Key words: bāḥar (choose), māšaḥ (anoint), rûaḥ (spirit), terms establishing David’s divine appointment and empowerment.
- Main debate: Whether the anointing was fully understood by David’s brothers or kept private; also the discrepancy between “seven sons” in v10 and the eight sons listed in 1 Chronicles 2:13-15.
- Theological theme: Divine sovereignty in leadership selection; the contrast between human perception (appearance) and divine perception (heart).
- Best use: Teaching on God’s counterintuitive choices and the priority of heart character over external qualifications.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
8Then Jesse called Abinadab and presented him to Samuel, who said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.”
9Next Jesse presented Shammah, but Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.”
10Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel told him, “The LORD has not chosen any of these.”
11And 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.”
12So Jesse sent for his youngest son and brought him in. He was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him, for he is the one.”
13So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.
WEB World English Bible 2000
8Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. He said, “Yahweh has not chosen this one, either.”
9Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. He said, “Yahweh has not chosen this one, either.”
10Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. Samuel said to Jesse, “Yahweh has not chosen these.”
11Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your children here?” He said, “There remains yet the youngest. Behold, he is keeping the sheep.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we will not sit down until he comes here.”
12He sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with a handsome face and good appearance. Yahweh said, “Arise! Anoint him, for this is he.”
13Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the middle of his brothers. Then Yahweh’s Spirit came mightily on David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.
KJV King James Version 1769
8Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the Lord chosen this.
9Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the Lord chosen this.
10Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The Lord hath not chosen these.
11And 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.
12And 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.
13Then 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.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
8Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath Jehovah chosen this.
9Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath Jehovah chosen this.
10And Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Jehovah hath not chosen these.
11And 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.
12And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look upon. And Jehovah said, Arise, anoint him; for this is he.
13Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of Jehovah came mightily upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
8And Jesse calleth unto Abinadab, and causeth him to pass by before Samuel; and he saith, `Also on this Jehovah hath not fixed.'
9And Jesse causeth Shammah to pass by, and he saith, `Also on this Jehovah hath not fixed.'
10And Jesse causeth seven of his sons to pass by before Samuel, and Samuel saith to Jesse, `Jehovah hath not fixed on these.'
11And Samuel saith unto Jesse, `Are the young men finished?' and he saith, `Yet hath been left the youngest; and lo, he delighteth himself among the flock;' and Samuel saith unto Jesse, `Send and take him, for we do not turn round till his coming in hither.'
12And he sendeth, and bringeth him in, and he is ruddy, with beauty of eyes, and of good appearance; and Jehovah saith, `Rise, anoint him, for this is he.'
13And Samuel taketh the horn of oil, and anointeth him in the midst of his brethren, and prosper over David doth the Spirit of Jehovah from that day and onwards; and Samuel riseth and goeth to Ramath.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
8Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither has Jehovah chosen this one.
9Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, Neither has Jehovah chosen this one.
10And Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, Jehovah has not chosen these.
11And Samuel said to Jesse, Are these all the young men? And he said, There is yet the youngest remaining, and behold, he is feeding the sheep. And Samuel said to Jesse, Send and fetch him; for we will not sit at table till he come hither.
12And he sent and brought him in. And he was ruddy, and besides of a lovely countenance and beautiful appearance. And Jehovah said, Arise, anoint him; for this is he.
13And Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren. And the Spirit of Jehovah came upon David from that day forward. And Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
8And Isai called Abinadab, and brought him before Samuel. And he said: Neither hath the Lord chosen this,
9And Isai brought Samma, and he said of him: Neither hath the Lord chosen this.
10Isai therefore brought his seven sons before Samuel: and Samuel said to Isai: The Lord hath not chosen any one of these.
11And Samuel said to Isai: Are here all thy sons? He answered: There remaineth yet a young one, who keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said to Isai: Send, and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.
12He sent therefore and brought him. Now he was ruddy and beautiful to behold, and of a comely face. And the Lord said: Arise, and anoint him, for this is he.
13Then 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: and Samuel rose up, and went to Ramatha.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Biblical Hebrew)
Old Testament · Biblical Hebrew · I Samuel 16:8
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators across traditions agree that this passage dramatically enacts the principle of verse 7: God does not see as humans see. Matthew Henry highlights Samuel’s initial assumption about Eliab, ’Surely this is the Lord’s anointed’, and notes that the prophet was mistaken, as were other biblical figures when they spoke before consulting God. Gill observes that Samuel knew each son was not chosen ’by a private suggestion from him.’ The repeated phrase ’Yahweh has not chosen this one’ (used three times) reinforces the point: human qualifications fail every time. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown add that Jesse himself thought David unfit, calling him ’the youngest’ who ’keepeth the sheep.’ The consensus holds that God’s choice of the overlooked shepherd boy underscores that divine selection is based on inward character, not appearance or status.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Low
What is clear: God chooses the overlooked youngest son, David, over his seven older brothers, demonstrating that divine selection is based on heart character, not on human measures of worth or appearance.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Number of sons presented | Jesse presented seven sons to Samuel; David was the eighth and was not initially included. | Some commentators (e.g., Gill) hold that the seven included the three named sons plus four others, accounting for eight total when including David. Others (e.g., Barnes) see the seven as including the three already passed, leaving four unnamed. The genealogical lists in 1 Chronicles 2:13-15 list seven sons total, creating a minor tension resolved by some as a separate counting method. |
| Public or private nature of the anointing | The anointing took place in the presence of David’s brothers (v13: “in the midst of his brothers”). | Some argue the act was essentially private, with the brothers perhaps misunderstanding its significance (Cambridge Bible suggests they may have thought David was being chosen for prophetic training). Others (Matthew Henry, Wesley) hold that at least Jesse and David understood the full kingship meaning, while the brothers were left partially in the dark. |
| Meaning of 'ruddy' (אַדְמוֹנִי) | The term describes David’s physical appearance: reddish hair or complexion, which was striking in a region where dark features were the norm. | Adam Clarke and the Cambridge Bible understand it primarily as red hair with a fair complexion. Some older commentators (e.g., Matthew Poole, not in supplied excerpts) read it as a sign of handsome youthfulness without specifying hair color. The term is used elsewhere only of Esau (Genesis 25:25), suggesting a notable feature. |
Historical & Cultural Context
The narrative unfolds shortly after God’s rejection of Saul (1 Samuel 15). Samuel mourns for Saul, and God commands him to go to Bethlehem, risking Saul’s anger. The elders of Bethlehem tremble at Samuel’s arrival (16:4), fearing a royal reprisal. Samuel comes ostensibly to offer a sacrifice, which provides cover for the private anointing.
Jesse’s sons are presented to Samuel in a secluded setting, likely a private apartment, as Adam Clarke suggests, rather than the public feast. Jesse presents seven sons: Eliab, Abinadab, Shammah (named elsewhere in 1 Chronicles 2:13-15), and four others. Each passes before Samuel and is dismissed: ’Yahweh has not chosen this one.’ The number seven may signify completeness or the full range of Jesse’s heir candidates, yet none meets God’s criteria.
David, the youngest, is absent, tending the flock (v11). The Hebrew describes him as haqqāṭān (’the little one’). When summoned, he is described as ’admōnî (’ruddy’), with yəp̄êh ʿênayim (’beautiful eyes’) and good appearance, a striking contrast to the tall, warrior-like brothers. Anointing with a horn of oil was the traditional rite for kings (see 1 Samuel 10:1 for Saul). The Spirit of Yahweh then ’rushed’ upon David (watitṣlaḥ, the same verb used for Samson in Judges 14:6, 19; 15:14). This divine empowerment confirms that God has chosen David for leadership, not because of his outward qualities but because of what He saw in his heart.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for this passage. The Hebrew text is well preserved, and the narrative flows consistently across manuscripts. Differences among modern translations (e.g., “ruddy” vs. “red”, “beautiful eyes” vs. “beautiful countenance”) reflect lexical choices in rendering Hebrew idioms, not variations in the underlying text.
Reception History
Christian interpreters from the patristic period onward have read this passage as a type of God’s surprising choice of the humble. David’s anointing with oil prefigures Christ, the Messiah (“Anointed One”), who was also born in Bethlehem and whose origins were lowly. Augustine saw here a lesson on grace: God chooses whom He wills, not according to human merit. In the Reformation, both Luther and Calvin used the narrative to illustrate God’s sovereign election and the priority of faith over outward works. Jewish exegesis has emphasized David’s humble beginnings and God’s direct involvement in establishing the righteous king. Across traditions, the passage has been treasured as a reminder that divine sight penetrates where human eyes cannot reach.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- God rejects human qualifications. Each of Jesse’s seven sons passes before Samuel and is rejected, not because they are flawed, but because God has a different standard. The repeated refrain “Yahweh has not chosen this one” drives home the point: human measures of worth (stature, experience, position) do not determine God’s choice.
- God sees who others overlook. David is not even invited to the gathering. He is with the sheep, doing low-status work. But Samuel insists, “Send and get him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.” God’s eye falls on the one no one thought to include.
- God empowers the chosen. Samuel anoints David with oil, and the Spirit of Yahweh rushes upon him “from that day forward.” Divine calling comes with divine enablement. The same Spirit who empowered judges and would empower kings now rests on David.
Five-point outline
- The procession of rejection (vv8-10). Six sons pass by, one after another; each is turned aside. The narrative slows down to underline that not one of them is God’s choice.
- Samuel’s probing question (v11a). “Are all your children here?” Samuel senses that someone is missing. The question exposes the assumption that the most promising candidates have already been seen.
- The revelation of the absent one (v11b). “There remains yet the youngest. Behold, he is keeping the sheep.” The language emphasizes David’s marginal place, young, out in the fields, not worth calling in.
- The divine confirmation (v12). When David arrives, God speaks directly: “Arise! Anoint him, for this is he.” No further tests, no interviews. God knows whom He has chosen.
- The anointing and commission (v13). Samuel anoints David “in the midst of his brothers.” The Spirit’s coming marks the beginning of David’s preparation for the throne. Samuel then returns to Ramah; the work is now in God’s hands.
Illustration hooks
- A sports team selects its captain by tryouts, but the coach quietly picks a less flashy player who shows character behind the scenes, teamwork, encouragement, consistency. The team is surprised, but the coach saw what others missed.
- A church search committee reviews resumes of polished candidates but ends up calling a layperson from within the congregation whose quiet faithfulness had long been overlooked.
- In a family-run business, the oldest sibling is expected to take over, but the parent recognises unexpected leadership qualities in the youngest child who has been working behind the scenes.
Questions your congregation is asking
- “Does God still pass over outwardly impressive people today? How can I know if I’m judging by appearance?”
- “What does it mean for my own sense of worth if God looks at the heart rather than my achievements or background?”
- “How do I guard against overlooking the Davids in my own congregation, those who are faithful but not visible?”
Leading a Discussion
This passage invites us to face our own assumptions about who God chooses and why. As you work through the questions, notice the tension between human expectation and divine surprise. The story does not just describe an ancient anointing; it challenges how we see people, and ourselves, today.
Discussion questions
- What stands out to you about the way Jesse presents his sons to Samuel? What does the repeated rejection communicate?
- Why do you think David was left out of the initial lineup? What does Jesse’s reply, “there remains yet the youngest … he is keeping the sheep”, reveal about human assumptions?
- How does Samuel’s earlier misjudgment of Eliab (vv6-7) set up the lesson of verses 8-13? What does it teach us about even spiritual leaders needing correction?
- God describes David as “ruddy, with a handsome face and good appearance.” How does that detail fit with the message that God looks at the heart? (Consider that the text may be noting David’s youth or his different kind of beauty.)
- In what situations are you most tempted to evaluate others, or yourself, by outward measures (talent, education, social status)?
- Samuel anoints David “in the midst of his brothers.” Does that setting surprise you? What might it suggest about how God works openly even when others do not fully understand?
- If “the Spirit of Yahweh came mightily on David from that day forward,” what does that tell you about the source of true leadership ability? How might you rely on God’s Spirit rather than your own strength in your calling?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| I Samuel 17:13 | The three oldest sons of Jesse had gone after Saul to the battle; and the names of his three sons who went to the battle were Eliab the firstborn, and next to him Abinadab, and the third Shammah. |
| I Chronicles 2:13 | and Jesse became the father of his firstborn Eliab, Abinadab the second, Shimea the third, |
| II Samuel 13:3 | But Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab the son of Shimeah, David’s brother; and Jonadab was a very subtle man. |
| I Chronicles 2:15 | Ozem the sixth, and David the seventh; |
| I Samuel 17:12 | Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehem Judah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons. The man was an elderly old man in the days of Saul. |
| I Samuel 17:15 | Now David went back and forth from Saul to feed his father’s sheep at Bethlehem. |
| I Samuel 17:28 | Eliab his oldest brother heard when he spoke to the men; and Eliab’s anger burned against David, and he said, “Why have you come down? With whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the evil of your heart; for you have come down that you might see the battle.” |
| II Samuel 7:8 | Now therefore tell my servant David this: ‘Yahweh of Armies says, “I took you from the sheep pen, from following the sheep, to be prince over my people, over Israel. |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
9 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke notes that the choosing of David's brothers happened in private, before the public feast. He interprets "ruddy" as red-haired with a fair, delicate complexion. The Spirit's coming on David was God's way of equipping him to rule by giving him wisdom, courage, and generosity.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes clarifies that the seven sons presented include the three already passed, noting an apparent discrepancy with 1 Chronicles 2, which lists only seven total for Jesse. He also observes that the phrase describing the Spirit coming upon David is the same one used for the judges and Saul.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The commentator notes that David's name means beloved or darling, likely given as the youngest son. He also suggests that the true significance of Samuel's anointing may have been concealed even from Jesse and David himself, who might have thought David was simply chosen as a pupil for Samuel's prophetic school.
Geneva Bible Notes Reformed 1599
The Geneva Notes emphasize that God passed over seven outwardly qualified sons of Jesse before selecting David, the youngest and least expected, who was still out tending the sheep. This shows that divine choice does not follow human rank or appearance but rests on God's hidden judgment of the heart.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill notes that Jesse presented seven sons, not all eight; David was the youngest, not small in stature but the last-born. He interprets "ruddy" as red hair, not complexion. The anointing was done privately, apart from the brothers, to keep it secret from Saul, and the Spirit came upon David immediately.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB stresses that God orchestrated David's absence from the family gathering to make his appointment unmistakably divine, not a human scheme between Samuel and Jesse. David then quietly returned to his sheep, and the anointing itself was kept strictly private.
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange highlights that Samuel's prolonged mourning for Saul, though heartfelt, placed him out of harmony with God's settled purpose. God's reproof redirects him from grief to obedient action, concealing the anointing of David behind a sacrificial feast -- a concealment Lange defends as truthful, since it followed divine direction and intended no deceit.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry points out that even a prophet like Samuel could misjudge by outward appearance, nearly anointing Eliab based on his stature and looks. The correction comes directly from God, who sees the heart rather than the surface. Human judgment remains fallible; only divine insight is reliable.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley notes that only six of Jesse's seven sons are named, the seventh likely dead or born of a concubine. David's shepherding made him seem the least fit for kingship, so God's choice through Samuel was unmistakably divine. The name David, meaning beloved, already pointed to the coming Beloved Son.