1 Samuel 16 12

1 Samuel 16:12 kjv

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.

1 Samuel 16:12 nkjv

So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the LORD said, "Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!"

1 Samuel 16:12 niv

So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; this is the one."

1 Samuel 16:12 esv

And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the LORD said, "Arise, anoint him, for this is he."

1 Samuel 16:12 nlt

So Jesse sent for him. He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes. And the LORD said, "This is the one; anoint him."

1 Samuel 16 verses

1 Samuel 16 12 Meaning

This verse describes the arrival of David before Samuel, at Jesse's instruction. It provides a brief physical description of David, noting his reddish complexion, beautiful eyes, and overall handsome appearance. Crucially, immediately upon seeing David, the Lord commands Samuel to "Arise, anoint him; for this is he," unequivocally identifying David as God's chosen king.

1 Samuel 16 12 Context

This verse is pivotal in the book of 1 Samuel, marking the divine transition of kingship from Saul to David. Saul, chosen for his impressive stature, has repeatedly disobeyed the Lord, leading God to reject him as king (1 Sam 15). Samuel, still mourning for Saul, is then directed by God to Bethlehem to anoint a new king from the house of Jesse. The Lord had specifically stated in 1 Sam 16:7 that He does not look at outward appearance as humans do, but rather looks at the heart. Following the rejection of Jesse's older, seemingly more suitable sons based on this divine principle, David, the youngest and unexpected shepherd boy, is finally brought in. This immediate recognition by God signifies His unique, sovereign choice, demonstrating that God's ways are beyond human reasoning and observation.

1 Samuel 16 12 Word analysis

• So he sent and brought him in: "He" refers to Jesse, David's father. This phrase denotes immediate obedience to Samuel's insistence that one of Jesse's sons remained unpresented. It emphasizes David's unexpected arrival, being out in the fields, likely tending sheep, rather than being part of the initial family gathering for Samuel. The Hebrew verb for "brought in" implies Jesse caused him to come.
• Now he was ruddy: The Hebrew word is admoni (אַדְמֹנִי). It signifies a reddish complexion, fair-skinned, or red-haired. This striking physical attribute distinguishes David; Esau was also described with this word (Gen 25:25). It does not carry negative connotations but highlights a prominent physical characteristic, contrasting with typical Near Eastern complexions and perhaps suggesting vibrant health.
• and had beautiful eyes: Hebrew: yapheh eynayim (יְפֵה עֵינַיִם). Literally, "beautiful of eyes." This indicates a captivating or expressive gaze. Together with "ruddy" and "handsome," it contributes to a vivid description of David's striking physical appearance.
• and was handsome: Hebrew: tov ro'i (טוֹב רֹאִי). Meaning "good to look at" or "pleasant in appearance." This is a general term for being good-looking or attractive. While 1 Sam 16:7 asserts God does not choose based on outward appearance, this verse reveals David possessed significant physical appeal. This fact, while not God's reason for choosing David, was a reality about David that perhaps made his later presence in Saul's court more natural (1 Sam 16:18).
• And the LORD said: This marks a direct divine intervention and clear, unambiguous instruction from God to Samuel, leaving no room for doubt or further deliberation. It highlights God's sovereignty and precise knowledge.
• 'Arise: This is an imperative command, indicating urgency and immediacy. Samuel is to act at once, without delay. It is a call to rise from his seat or previous posture, ready to perform a significant act.
• anoint him: Hebrew: meshach (מְשַׁח). This refers to the ritualistic pouring of oil on someone's head, signifying consecration and the divine appointment to a specific office—in this case, king. Anointing by Samuel, a prophet, grants divine authority and sets David apart for kingship, often accompanied by the Spirit of the Lord coming upon the anointed (1 Sam 16:13).
• for this is he': This emphatic declaration confirms God's absolute certainty. "He" refers to the chosen one, the rightful successor to Saul. It settles all previous questioning and speculation regarding which of Jesse's sons was God's choice, specifically designating David as the one and only.

• "he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome": This detailed physical description contrasts starkly with God's preceding declaration in 1 Sam 16:7 that He does not look at outward appearance. It underscores that while David possessed physical attractiveness, this was not the basis of God's choice, but rather a descriptive element of the person God sovereignly chose. It emphasizes God's focus on David's inner heart and character, as implied by David's future portrayal as "a man after God's own heart" (1 Sam 13:14; Acts 13:22), yet God does not ignore His creation's physical form.
• "And the LORD said, 'Arise, anoint him; for this is he'": This phrase represents the definitive moment of divine selection and instruction. The immediacy and directness of God's command to Samuel remove any ambiguity. It showcases God's sovereign hand actively installing a new king according to His purpose, overturning human expectations and the customary preference for older sons. This is a divine affirmation, an unchallengeable decree.

1 Samuel 16 12 Bonus section

• The Shepherd King: David's humble role as a shepherd, tending sheep, provided an excellent proving ground for his future leadership of God's people. This experience shaped his character and skill set, foreshadowing his anointing to "shepherd" Israel (Ps 78:70-72).
• God's Surprising Choice: The selection of David, the eighth and youngest son, often bypassed in primogeniture (right of the firstborn), demonstrates God's consistent pattern of choosing the weak or overlooked to confound human wisdom (1 Cor 1:27). The number eight can symbolize new beginnings or completion.
• Contradiction or Nuance?: The physical description of David ("handsome," "ruddy," "beautiful eyes") immediately after 1 Sam 16:7 ("the LORD does not look at the things people look at") highlights a crucial theological nuance. God does not choose based on physical attributes, but He may indeed choose someone who possesses them. David's attractive appearance was a fact, but not the reason for his kingship; his heart was what God saw. This detail prepares the reader for David's later public success and favor.

1 Samuel 16 12 Commentary

1 Samuel 16:12 vividly illustrates God's sovereignty in choosing leaders, contrasting human judgment based on outward appearance with divine discernment that perceives the heart. Despite Samuel's initial preference for the seemingly more impressive elder sons of Jesse, God definitively directs him to David, the youngest, unexpected, and a mere shepherd. While David is physically described as "ruddy," having "beautiful eyes," and "handsome"—possessing qualities human eyes might admire—these were not the criteria for God's selection, a point emphasized by 1 Samuel 16:7. The direct command, "Arise, anoint him; for this is he," underscores the certainty and absolute nature of God's choice, making it clear that David was the divine appointed king, irrespective of human expectation or status. This anointing not only conferred the title of king but also imbued him with the Spirit of the Lord, setting him apart for his great task. This instance serves as a foundational example of God elevating the humble and unassuming for His significant purposes.