1 Samuel 16 6

1 Samuel 16:6 kjv

And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD's anointed is before him.

1 Samuel 16:6 nkjv

So it was, when they came, that he looked at Eliab and said, "Surely the LORD's anointed is before Him!"

1 Samuel 16:6 niv

When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD's anointed stands here before the LORD."

1 Samuel 16:6 esv

When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD's anointed is before him."

1 Samuel 16:6 nlt

When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, "Surely this is the LORD's anointed!"

1 Samuel 16 verses

1 Samuel 16 6 Meaning

1 Samuel 16:6 narrates the initial, human assessment made by the prophet Samuel during his mission to anoint a new king for Israel from among the sons of Jesse. Upon seeing Jesse's eldest son, Eliab, who likely possessed a kingly appearance—tall, strong, and imposing—Samuel immediately presumed that this physically impressive young man was surely the one Yahweh had chosen and anointed to replace Saul. This presumption highlights Samuel's reliance on outward human standards for judgment, mirroring Israel's prior preference for Saul's imposing stature (1 Sam 9:2). It sets the stage for God's crucial corrective revelation in the subsequent verse (1 Sam 16:7), emphasizing His radically different criteria for choosing leadership.

1 Samuel 16 6 Context

1 Samuel chapter 16 marks a pivotal transition in the leadership of Israel, moving from Saul, the divinely appointed yet disobedient king, to God's chosen successor, David. The previous chapter, 1 Samuel 15, details Saul's final rejection by God due to his rebellion and disobedience. Following this, the Lord instructs a deeply grieving Samuel to cease mourning for Saul and instead go to Bethlehem to anoint a new king from among Jesse's sons. This command comes with inherent danger for Samuel, as anointing a new king could be perceived as treason by Saul.

Verse 6 specifically opens the sequence of presenting Jesse's sons before Samuel. Samuel's immediate reaction upon seeing Eliab, the firstborn, is steeped in the historical and cultural context of ancient Near Eastern kingship, where physical stature, imposing appearance, and primogeniture often dictated suitability for leadership. Saul himself had been chosen, in part, for his impressive height and appearance (1 Sam 9:2). Thus, Samuel, still operating under conventional human wisdom and possibly reflecting on Saul's physical attributes, assumed Eliab, Jesse's seemingly strong and likely firstborn, was the pre-ordained king. This scene is a deliberate setup for God's crucial counter-point in verse 7, which redefines the true criteria for divine selection, contrasting human outward focus with God's inward gaze.

1 Samuel 16 6 Word analysis

• And it came to pass: (Hebrew: vayehi - וַיְהִי) This is a common Hebrew narrative marker, introducing a new event or a development in the story. It functions similarly to "It happened that" or "Now it was when." In this context, it signals the commencement of the specific actions related to Samuel's arrival and the presentation of Jesse's sons.
• when they were come: Refers to Jesse's sons, likely accompanied by Jesse himself, having arrived and assembled before Samuel, ready for the prophet's inspection and anointing ceremony. It signifies the point of readiness for divine selection.
• that he looked on Eliab: (Hebrew: vayyar' 'el-'Eli'av - וַיַּרְא אֶל-אֱלִיאָב)
  • looked on (vayyar'): From the root ra'ah (רָאָה), meaning "to see," "to look at," or "to perceive." The use here highlights Samuel's immediate visual assessment. It was not a spiritual discernment but a physical observation, based on what was visible to the human eye. This emphasizes the superficiality of Samuel's initial judgment.
  • Eliab ('Eli'av): The name means "My God is Father" or "God is Father." As Jesse's firstborn son, he would naturally be expected to be the inheritor of leadership, both socially and religiously, by custom and primogeniture. His likely stature and presence would have made him appear 'kingly' by human standards, similar to Saul (1 Sam 9:2). Samuel’s focus on him reflects his own pre-conceived notions shaped by the visible world.
• and said: Indicates a verbalization of Samuel's thought process, solidifying his immediate assumption based on Eliab's appearance.
• Surely: (Hebrew: 'akh - אַךְ) This particle expresses strong affirmation, certainty, or emphasis. Here, it conveys Samuel's conviction—he feels certain that this impressive young man is the one. It highlights the depth of his initial misjudgment, believing without doubt in what his eyes told him.
• the LORD’s anointed: (Hebrew: m'shiycho Yehovah - מְשִׁיחוֹ יְהוָה)
  • anointed (m'shiycho): From the root mashach (מָשַׁח), meaning "to smear," "to rub with oil," "to anoint." The noun form, mashiaẖ (מָשִׁיחַ), gives us "Messiah." In this context, it refers to someone specially consecrated for a divinely appointed office—prophet, priest, or most commonly, king—by pouring oil upon their head as a sign of God's Spirit empowering them and designating them for their task. Saul had been previously referred to as "the Lord's anointed" (1 Sam 24:6). Samuel mistakenly applies this sacred title based on human observation.
  • the LORD's (Yehovah): The covenant name of God, indicating His authority and active involvement in selecting leaders for His people. Samuel attributes the choice to God, even while his own judgment is flawed.
• is before him: Literally "before him" or "in His presence." This conveys a sense of immediate proximity and readiness. Samuel perceived Eliab as already being consecrated and approved by God, standing right there ready to receive the anointing. It underscores the urgency and finality Samuel attached to his quick assessment.

1 Samuel 16 6 Bonus section

• Polemics against Contemporary Beliefs: This passage implicitly challenges the prevalent ancient Near Eastern view of kingship, which often favored physically impressive, militarily powerful, or ritually superior individuals, often linking them directly to divine favor based on their outward presentation. By having Samuel err in judgment based on Eliab's appearance, and then immediately correcting him through divine revelation in 1 Sam 16:7, the narrative presents a strong polemic: God's criteria for leadership (heart-knowledge and obedience) are radically different and superior to human criteria (physical appearance, primogeniture, worldly strength). This redefines true divine election not by human merit or societal norms, but by God's sovereign and unconventional wisdom.
• Significance of the Name Eliab: While not explicitly stated as a reason for Samuel's mistake, Eliab's name, "My God is Father," could have subconsciously reinforced Samuel's human assumption of divine favor, adding to the layer of natural presumption versus divine revelation.
• Foreknowledge and Experience: Samuel’s past experience with Saul, chosen for his kingly stature and physical presence, might have subconsciously primed him to look for similar attributes in the next king, highlighting how even past divine direction can lead to mistaken human expectation if new specific guidance is not diligently sought and followed.

1 Samuel 16 6 Commentary

1 Samuel 16:6 serves as a profound moment of misjudgment by a man of God, paving the way for one of Scripture's most vital theological principles found in the very next verse. Samuel, though a faithful prophet, operates initially by human standards, assessing Eliab based on physical prowess—a natural and understandable error given that the first king, Saul, was chosen, in part, for his imposing stature. The immediate assumption, "Surely the Lord’s anointed is before him," reflects not only a personal bias but also a prevalent cultural expectation of what a king should look like: strong, commanding, and outwardly impressive. This verse perfectly sets the scene for a divine lesson on true leadership criteria. God is about to reveal that His choices transcend human wisdom and visible attributes, favoring character and the state of the heart over external glory or worldly might. It's a reminder that even devout individuals can be swayed by appearances, highlighting the necessity of seeking divine perspective and revelation beyond our limited sight. This theme carries throughout the Bible, particularly in the life of Jesus, who despite His humble beginnings and lack of worldly might, was indeed "the Lord's Anointed."