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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:6-13

If the sons of Jesse were told that God would provide himself a king among them (as he had said, 1 Sam. 16:1), we may well suppose they all made the best appearance they could, and each hoped he should be the man; but here we are told, I. How all the elder sons, who stood fairest for the preferment, were passed by. 1. Eliab, the eldest, was privately presented first to Samuel, probably none being present but Jesse only, and Samuel thought he must needs be the man: Surely this is the Lord's... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:11

And Samuel said unto Jesse, are here all thy children ?.... For neither of these being the person God would have anointed king, and yet it was one of Jesse's sons that was to be anointed, he concluded he must have more, at least one more, and therefore puts this question to him: and he said, there remaineth yet the youngest ; or, "the little one" F3 תקטן "parvulus", V. L. ; not of a little diminutive stature, for he was a mighty man, a man of strength, courage, and valour, 1... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:6-13

Human and Divine judgments contrasted. The facts are— 1 . Samuel, being impressed with the appearance of Eliab, concludes that he is the coming king. 2 . An intimation is given that Eliab is not the man, and the reason assigned for the imperfect judgment of Samuel is, that man looks on the outward appearance, but God on the heart. 3 . It being found that the other sons were not chosen of God, inquiry is made concerning the absent one. 4 . On the youngest being brought,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:11-12

Are here all thy children? The word literally is lads, na'arim. The elder sons must have been nearly or quite grown up, but David was probably a mere boy, and as such had not been thought worthy of an invitation, but had been left with the servants keeping the sheep. The prophet now orders him to be summoned, and marks his value in God's sight by saying, We will not sit down till he come hither. The verb literally means, we will not surround, i.e. the table, though at this time the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 16:11

We will not sit down ... - . literally, we will not turn round to sit at the table. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Samuel 16:11

1 Samuel 16:11. Behold, he keepeth sheep And consequently is the most unfit of all my sons for that high employment. Either, therefore, he did not understand David’s wisdom and valour, or he judged him unfit, by reason of his mean education. And God so ordered it by his providence, that the choice of David might plainly appear to be God’s work, and not Samuel’s or Jesse’s. David signifies beloved; a fit name for so eminent a type of God’s beloved Son. It is supposed David was now about... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:1-23

16:1-19:24 THE RISE OF DAVIDDavid brought to the royal court (16:1-23)When told by God to go and anoint a king to replace Saul, Samuel feared to, lest Saul kill him. God therefore told Samuel to keep the matter secret (16:1-3). Reassured by this additional word from God, Samuel went to Bethlehem, where he met the leading men of the important families in that area (4-5).The outcome of Samuel’s visit was that he anointed David, youngest son of the family of Jesse. Anointing was a way of marking... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Samuel 16:11

Are here all thy children? Hebrew "Have the young men finished [passing by)? "This correctly supplies the Figure of speech Ellipsis. App-6 . Hebrew. na ` ar = young men . youngest = least. See note on 1 Samuel 16:5 . behold . Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 . he keepeth . Saul lost his father's asses (1 Samuel 9:3 , 1 Samuel 9:4 , 1 Samuel 9:20 ). down round. read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Samuel 16:11

11. There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep—Jesse having evidently no idea of David's wisdom and bravery, spoke of him as the most unfit. God, in His providence, so ordered it, that the appointment of David might the more clearly appear to be a divine purpose, and not the design either of Samuel or Jesse. David having not been sanctified with the rest of his family, it is probable that he returned to his pastoral duties the moment the special business on which he had... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Samuel 16:1-13

David’s anointing 16:1-13This time God’s choice was not a king for the people according to their desires, but a king for Himself (1 Samuel 16:1) who would put Yahweh first (1 Samuel 13:14; cf. Galatians 4:4-5). Saul would have perceived Samuel’s act of anointing another man king as treason (1 Samuel 16:2). He continued to show more concern for his own interests than for the will of God. Evidently Samuel had gained a reputation as an executioner since he had killed Agag (1 Samuel 16:4; cf. 1... read more

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