Keraia
1 Samuel 16

1 Samuel 16:7

Samuel Anoints David · 1 Samuel 16:1–13
Read 1 Samuel 16

Translations

Modern
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”
Traditional
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.
Literal
And YHWH said to Samuel, “Look not at his appearance, or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him. For it is not as the man sees—for the man looks at the eyes, and YHWH looks at the heart.”
Latin
Et dixit Dominus ad Samuelem: Ne respicias vultum ejus, neque altitudinem staturæ ejus: quoniam abjeci eum, nec juxta intuitum hominis ego judico: homo enim videt ea quæ parent, Dominus autem intuetur cor.

Original

Hebrew
English
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”

Notes

1 Samuel 16:6–7

  • his appearance or height: Like Saul, Eliab, Jesse’s oldest son, looked impressive (see 1 Samuel 9:2). But like Saul, God rejected him (see 1 Samuel 15:23). God had chosen someone else to anoint as king.

  • the LORD sees the heart: God can give a new heart (see 1 Samuel 10:9), touch hearts (see 10:26), and understand deep motivations (see Psalm 139:1). God sees what people cannot. God sees a person’s true character. Eliab’s character is revealed in 1 Samuel 17:28.

1 Samuel 16:1–23

David replaced Saul as king. David and Saul were alike in these ways:

  • Samuel anointed both.

  • Neither was pursuing the position of king.

  • Both were unlikely choices (Saul was from the smallest tribe, and David was the youngest son).

  • They were both good-looking (1 Samuel 9:2; 16:12).

  • The Spirit rushed upon each when anointed as king (1 Samuel 10:10; 11:6; 16:13).

The main difference was that David was "a man after [God's] own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14; compare 16:7), while Saul was not.

Events

People

Samuel: Prophet and last judge of Israel before the kings

Glossary

Anoint Bethlehemite David Heart Horn Outward Man Psalm 151 Samuel (Person) Samuel, Books of First and Second

Topics

Anorexia Appearance Appearances Being Different Being Ugly Being Yourself Bulimia Christian Minister: Influential in Public Affairs: Designate Kings Church and State: Ecclesiastical Power Superior to Civil: Withdraws Support and Anoints a Successor Designer Babies Discrimination Dressing Up for Church Eyes Fashion Finding a Husband Gaining Weight God: Knowledge of God's Appearance God's Eyes Government: God In in the Appointment of David Heart: Known to God Heart: Unclassified Scriptures Descriptive of the Seat of the Affections Height Inner Beauty Jesse: Samuel Visits, Under Divine Command, to Select a Successor to Saul from his Sons King: How Chosen: David and the Davidic Dynasty Labeling Others Long Hair Low Self Esteem Low Self-Esteem Men and Long Hair Motives Our Appearance Our Worth to God Outward Appearance Personality Physical Appearance Physical Beauty Plastic Surgery Prejudice and Discrimination