1 Samuel 16 11
Get the 1 Samuel 16:11 summary and meaning with expert commentary explained. Uncover biblical context and spiritual insights through detailed word analysis and cross-references.
1 Samuel chapter 16 - The Anointing Of David And The Music Of The Heart
1-samuel 16 documents the secret mission of Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint David, the youngest son of Jesse, as the next king of Israel. It articulates the divine standard of leadership—God looks at the heart rather than physical stature. The chapter also records the departure of the Spirit from Saul and the introduction of David into the royal court as a musician to soothe the king’s distressing spirit.
1 Samuel 16:11
ESV: Then Samuel said to Jesse, "Are all your sons here?" And he said, "There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep." And Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here."
KJV: 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.
NIV: So he asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?" "There is still the youngest," Jesse answered. "He is tending the sheep." Samuel said, "Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives."
NKJV: 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 sheep." And Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here."
NLT: Then Samuel asked, "Are these all the sons you have?" "There is still the youngest," Jesse replied. "But he's out in the fields watching the sheep and goats." "Send for him at once," Samuel said. "We will not sit down to eat until he arrives."
Meaning
This pivotal verse reveals God's sovereign choice for Israel's next king, bypassing Jesse's older, outwardly impressive sons to select the youngest and seemingly least significant, David. It highlights that God's ways and criteria for leadership are entirely distinct from human expectations, prioritizing the condition of the heart over external appearance or status. The anointing ceremony cannot proceed without David, underscoring his divine indispensability for God's unfolding plan.
Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Sam 16:7 | But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance... | God judges the heart, not outward appearance. |
| 1 Sam 13:14 | The LORD has sought out a man after His own heart... | David chosen by God for his character. |
| Ps 78:70-71 | He chose David His servant... from the sheepfolds; from tending... | God elevating a humble shepherd to lead. |
| Ps 23:1 | The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. | The Lord as a shepherd figure. |
| 1 Cor 1:27-29 | But God chose what is foolish... weak... lowly... despised... | God often chooses the humble and overlooked. |
| Isa 55:8-9 | For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways... | God's superior wisdom and ways. |
| Lk 1:52 | He has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted the humble. | God exalting the humble. |
| Zech 4:6 | ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD of hosts. | Divine work relies on God's Spirit, not human ability. |
| Jn 7:24 | Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” | Correct discernment over superficial judgment. |
| Prov 21:2 | Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart. | God's evaluation is of the heart. |
| Isa 53:2-3 | He had no form or majesty that we should look at him... | Christ's humble and un-impressive outward appearance. |
| Ezek 34:23 | And I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David... | Prophecy of an ideal Davidic shepherd (pointing to Christ). |
| Jn 10:11 | I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life... | Jesus identifies as the Good Shepherd. |
| Heb 13:20 | Now may the God of peace... bring again from the dead our Lord Jesus... | Jesus as the Great Shepherd. |
| 1 Pet 5:4 | And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown... | Jesus as the Chief Shepherd of the church. |
| Rom 8:28 | And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good... | God's sovereign plan works through all circumstances. |
| Rom 11:29 | For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. | God's calling is sure and unchanging. |
| Jer 1:5 | “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born... | God's pre-ordained calling. |
| Gal 1:15 | But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me... | Paul's divine calling from birth. |
| Ps 118:22 | The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. | The overlooked/rejected becomes indispensable. |
| Matt 21:42 | Jesus said to them, “Have you never read in the Scriptures: ‘The stone... | Jesus is the rejected cornerstone. |
| Acts 4:11 | This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders... | Jesus, though rejected by man, is crucial to God. |
| 1 Pet 2:7 | So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe... | The rejected stone is precious to believers. |
| Acts 13:22 | And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king... | God's active role in raising David to kingship. |
| Amos 7:14 | But Amos answered Amaziah, "I was no prophet, nor a prophet's son, but I was a herdsman..." | God chooses from unexpected backgrounds. |
Context
The context of 1 Samuel 16:11 is set after the LORD has rejected Saul as king due to his disobedience (1 Sam 15:23). Samuel, mourning Saul, is commanded by God to go to Bethlehem to Jesse, for God has chosen a new king from among his sons. Jesse presents his seven elder sons to Samuel, each appearing impressive by human standards. However, the LORD rejects each one, explicitly stating in 1 Samuel 16:7 that He does not look at the outward appearance but at the heart. This leads to Samuel's questioning, ultimately revealing that Jesse had one son not even considered for presentation, who was tending the sheep. This verse is the direct command for this overlooked son, David, to be brought forward for his divine destiny.
Word analysis
- Then Samuel said to Jesse: This indicates the prophet's divine mandate and authority, acting as God's representative. Samuel's persistent inquiry ensures God's will is precisely executed.
- "Are these all the sons you have?": This question reveals Samuel's awareness that none of the previously presented sons were God's choice, signaling a divine prompting that there must be another.
- And he said, "There remains yet": The Hebrew sha'ar (שָׁאַר) means "to be left over," suggesting an afterthought or someone not initially deemed important enough to present. Jesse's casual mention highlights the low human estimation of David at this point.
- "the youngest": The Hebrew qaṭan (קָטָן) means "small, little, insignificant, least in status." This word emphasizes David's humble position within his family and society, standing in stark contrast to the grand, tall stature typically associated with kingship (like Saul).
- "and behold, he is tending the sheep.": The Hebrew ro'eh ha-tso'n (רֹעֶה הַצֹּאן), meaning "shepherd of the flock." This detail is crucial; David's humble occupation trained him in patience, courage, protection, and leadership—qualities vital for tending God's flock, Israel. This sets a significant biblical precedent for leadership originating from a pastoral background.
- "And Samuel said to Jesse, 'Send and bring him'": An urgent and direct command. The anointing process, and by extension God's plan for the new monarchy, is dependent on David's arrival.
- "for we will not sit down till he comes here.": The Hebrew yashab (יָשַׁב) implies "to sit," but in this context, it refers to resuming the meal or concluding the sacred anointing ceremony. Samuel’s resolute stance underlines the absolute necessity of God's chosen one, signifying that God's work cannot proceed or be fulfilled without the one He has appointed.
Commentary
1 Samuel 16:11 is a profoundly significant verse, showcasing the stark contrast between God's perfect judgment and humanity's flawed perception. Despite all seven of Jesse's older, outwardly impressive sons being presented and rejected, God's divine discernment (1 Sam 16:7) demanded David, the youngest and most overlooked. His humble role as a shepherd was not an impediment but a preparatory ground, equipping him with the heart and skills necessary to care for God's people. Samuel's unyielding resolve ("we will not sit down till he comes here") emphasizes that God's plan is meticulously specific and waits for the precise individual He has chosen. This moment establishes a core principle: God often elevates the humble and uses the seemingly insignificant to accomplish His great purposes, defying human logic and demonstrating His supreme sovereignty in kingship and salvation. This choice of an "unlikely" figure for monumental tasks recurs throughout Scripture, providing encouragement that God can use anyone, regardless of background or human status, who has a heart devoted to Him.
Bonus section
The scene depicts a divine irony, as Jesse, preoccupied with convention, had neglected to even present the very son God intended to be king. This highlights that God's ways are often counter-intuitive to human expectation, choosing weakness to display His strength. David's tending of sheep symbolically prefigures his future role as a shepherd-king over Israel, and ultimately, points to Jesus Christ, the "Good Shepherd" and true King (Jn 10:11, Heb 13:20). The urgency in Samuel's words ("we will not sit down") reflects God's zealous commitment to His own purposes and chosen vessels. It communicates that God's ultimate plan, represented by the anointing of His chosen king, will not be derailed or compromised by human oversight or pre-judgments; it must be brought to completion in God's perfect timing and through His selected instrument.
Read 1 samuel 16 chapter and explore various translations, from word-for-word KJV and ESV to thought-for-thought NIV and NLT.
Move from the external appearance to internal character as a young shepherd is chosen by God to lead a nation and calm a king. Begin your study with 1 samuel 16 summary.
When Samuel saw Eliab, he thought he found the king, but God taught him that height does not equal holiness. The 'Word Secret' is Ruach, referring to both the 'Spirit' that came on David and the 'distressing spirit' that troubled Saul, showing the internal nature of God’s favor. Discover the riches with 1 samuel 16 commentary, containing expert led word study (original greek/hebrew) and passage level analysis.
Explore 1 samuel 16 images, wallpapers, art, audio, video, maps, infographics and timelines