1 Samuel 16:9 kjv
Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.
1 Samuel 16:9 nkjv
Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, "Neither has the LORD chosen this one."
1 Samuel 16:9 niv
Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, "Nor has the LORD chosen this one."
1 Samuel 16:9 esv
Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, "Neither has the LORD chosen this one."
1 Samuel 16:9 nlt
Next Jesse summoned Shimea, but Samuel said, "Neither is this the one the LORD has chosen."
1 Samuel 16 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Sam 16:7 | "For the Lord sees not as man sees: for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart." | Divine insight contrasted with human perspective |
| 1 Sam 15:23 | "Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king." | God's rejection of Saul, setting up a new king |
| Deut 7:7 | "The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number..." | God's sovereign and unconditional choice |
| Psa 78:70-71 | "He chose David His servant, and took him from the sheepfolds..." | God's selection of David, humble origins |
| Isa 42:1 | "Behold My Servant, whom I uphold, My chosen one in whom My soul delights..." | God's chosen Servant, prefiguring Christ |
| Jer 17:10 | "I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind..." | God's omniscience, knows true character |
| Jn 15:16 | "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you..." | Christ's choice of disciples |
| Rom 9:11 | "though they were not yet born and had done nothing good or bad, in order that God’s purpose according to election might stand..." | God's election based on His purpose not works |
| 1 Cor 1:27-29 | "But God has chosen the foolish things of the world...to shame the wise..." | God often chooses the unlikely |
| Eph 1:4 | "just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world..." | God's pre-destined choice for salvation |
| 2 Thes 2:13 | "But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you..." | Divine election for salvation and holiness |
| 1 Kgs 8:39 | "...for You, You only, know the hearts of all the sons of men." | Only God truly knows the human heart |
| Psa 7:9 | "Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end...for the righteous God tests the hearts and minds." | God as judge of hearts |
| Lk 16:15 | "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts..." | Human outward appearance vs. God's knowledge |
| Rev 2:23 | "And all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts." | Christ's divine knowledge and judgment |
| 1 Sam 15:26 | "But Samuel said to Saul, 'I will not return with you, for you have rejected the word of the Lord, and the Lord has rejected you...'" | Direct divine rejection |
| Hos 4:6 | "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge..." | Rejection due to unfaithfulness |
| Mt 21:43 | "Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits." | Kingdom taken due to rejection of God's ways |
| Mt 11:25 | "I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children..." | God's revelation to the humble/unexpected |
| Jas 2:5 | "Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith...?" | God's favor for the seemingly disadvantaged |
1 Samuel 16 verses
1 Samuel 16 9 Meaning
First Samuel 16:9 continues the sequential presentation of Jesse's sons before Samuel, who is divinely guided to anoint Israel's next king. In this verse, Jesse presents his son Shammah, but Samuel, acting under God's instruction, declares that Shammah is not the one God has chosen. This further emphasizes that human discernment, even by a prophet, is insufficient, and God's criteria for leadership transcend outward appearance, lineage, or initial human expectations. The consistent rejection underscores the unfolding revelation of God's sovereign choice, which culminates in an unexpected selection.
1 Samuel 16 9 Context
First Samuel chapter 16 initiates the transition of Israel's monarchy from Saul to David. After Saul's disobedience and rejection by God (1 Sam 15), the Lord instructs Samuel to go to Bethlehem to the house of Jesse, for He has provided a king from among Jesse's sons. When Jesse's sons are presented one by one, Samuel initially judges based on physical appearance and stature, assuming the eldest and most imposing, Eliab, is God's choice. However, the Lord corrects Samuel with the pivotal declaration of 1 Samuel 16:7, emphasizing that God looks upon the heart, not outward appearance. Verse 9 then describes the third son, Shammah, being presented, with Samuel, now aligned with God's perspective, announcing his rejection as well. This iterative process of presenting and rejecting Jesse's eligible sons builds suspense and further demonstrates God's unique criteria for leadership, ultimately leading to the selection of the youngest and overlooked son, David, the shepherd.
1 Samuel 16 9 Word analysis
- Then: (`וַיַּעֲבֵר` - va-ya'aver) Indicates a direct sequence, continuing the methodical process of Jesse presenting his sons. It emphasizes the progression of the narrative and the step-by-step nature of the divine selection.
- Jesse: (`יִשַׁי` - Yishay) The father of David. His role is to present his sons. This highlights human participation in divine plans, even if humans do not fully grasp the divine criteria.
- made Shammah pass by: (`וַיַּעֲבֵר שַׁמָּה` - va-ya'aver Shammah) The phrase means Jesse caused Shammah to come forward, presenting him for Samuel's inspection. Shammah (meaning "astonishment" or "desolation") is David's third brother. This act is a continuation of the presentation sequence, indicating he was considered a potential candidate, just like his older brothers. The focus remains on God's choice rather than any perceived deficiency in Shammah himself.
- And he said: (`וַיֹּאמֶר` - va-yomer) Refers to Samuel. As God's prophet, Samuel is relaying the divine verdict. His statement is not his own opinion but God's revealed will, showing his prophetic authority and submission to God's lead.
- Neither: (`גַּם` - gam) This Hebrew particle intensifies the negation and implies "also" or "even this one." It signifies a continuation of the previous rejections (Eliab, Abinadab), indicating that the divine search is still ongoing. It underscores that multiple "qualified" candidates according to human standards are being set aside.
- has the Lord chosen: (`לֹֽא־בָחַר יְהוָה` - lo bachar YHVH)
- the Lord: (`יְהוָה` - YHVH) The sacred covenant name of God, emphasizing that this selection process is solely directed by Israel's divine King, not human desire or tradition. It underscores divine sovereignty over human leadership.
- chosen: (`בָּחַר` - bachar) "To choose, select, elect." This key term appears frequently in the Bible for divine selection (e.g., God's choice of Israel, priests, or prophets). It signifies an intentional and authoritative act of divine election, distinct from mere human preference or consensus. It reiterates that kingship is a divine appointment.
- Neither has the Lord chosen this one: This complete phrase delivers the divine rejection clearly and unequivocally. It systematically eliminates candidates, creating suspense and preparing the audience for God's eventual, unexpected choice. This phrase highlights that the qualities valued by humans were not God's criteria, maintaining consistency with 1 Sam 16:7.
- this one: (`בַּזֶּה` - ba-zeh) Refers directly to Shammah, unequivocally identifying the rejected individual. This direct address emphasizes the specificity of God's rejection in this divine selection process.
1 Samuel 16 9 Bonus section
- The repetitive "neither has the Lord chosen this one" (or similar wording for Eliab and Abinadab) throughout 1 Samuel 16:6-10 serves a pedagogical purpose for Samuel, Jesse, and the readers. It progressively deepens the understanding that God's selection criteria are fundamentally different from human criteria. Each rejection heightens the anticipation for God's true choice, preparing the mind for a truly unconventional anointing.
- While Samuel is corrected after Eliab's presentation (1 Sam 16:7), his continued rejections of the subsequent sons imply that God continued to guide him verbally or impressionistically with each new candidate. Samuel is now actively participating as God's mouth, no longer relying on his initial, flawed human judgment.
- This verse, and the narrative it belongs to, serves as a powerful theological statement about divine sovereignty in leadership, which stood in stark contrast to how kings were often chosen in surrounding ancient Near Eastern cultures (e.g., based on strength, primogeniture, political influence). God selects based on internal character known only to Him.
1 Samuel 16 9 Commentary
1 Samuel 16:9 is a pivotal point within the account of Samuel seeking God's chosen king. Following the clear instruction in 1 Sam 16:7 that God looks on the heart, this verse reinforces the pattern of God's rejection of seemingly suitable candidates based on outward appearance or conventional standards. Shammah, like his brothers before him, is not disqualified due to a known sin or explicit fault in this passage; rather, he simply does not fit God's specific purpose for the next king of Israel. The verse underlines God's meticulous and sovereign selection process, demonstrating that His plans unfold precisely according to His wisdom and not according to human wisdom or anticipation. It teaches profound lessons about divine prerogative and the humility required to submit to God's choices, even when they defy expectation. This moment builds narrative tension, setting the stage for the true divine selection, emphasizing that the human search is often incomplete without God's definitive guidance.