1 Samuel 16 11

1 Samuel 16:11 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.

1 Samuel 16:11 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."

1 Samuel 16:11 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."

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."

1 Samuel 16:11 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."

1 Samuel 16 verses

1 Samuel 16 11 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.

1 Samuel 16 11 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.

1 Samuel 16 11 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.

1 Samuel 16 11 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.

1 Samuel 16 11 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.