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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:1-5

Samuel had retired to his own house in Ramah, with a resolution not to appear any more in public business, but to addict himself wholly to the instructing and training up of the sons of the prophets, over whom he presided, as we find, 1 Sam. 19:20. He promised himself more satisfaction in young prophets than in young princes; and we do not find that, to his dying day, God called him out to any public action relating to the state, but only here to anoint David. I. God reproves him for... read more

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 16:5

And he said, peaceably I am come to sacrifice unto the Lord ,.... Which he could say with truth, it being one end of his coming, though not the only one for which he came, and which he was not obliged to tell: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice ; prepare themselves for it, which was done by washing their garments, &c.; and then attend with him, and assist him in the sacrifice: and he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice ; he ordered... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:6

And it came to pass, when they were come ,.... Jesse and his sons, into the house where the entertainment was; and perhaps before they sat down, went into a private apartment by the direction of Samuel, where he acquainted Jesse with the business he came upon: that he looked on Eliab ; who was Jesse's firstborn, 1 Chronicles 2:13 , called Elihu, 1 Chronicles 27:18 . and said, surely the Lord's anointed is before him ; or this is the person it is his pleasure should be anointed... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:7

But the Lord said to Samuel ,.... By a secret impulse upon his mind, as if he had spoken with an articulate voice to him: look not on his countenance ; which was comely and majestic: or on the height of his stature ; which was like that of Saul's; and because the Lord had chosen him, who was superior to the people in this respect, Samuel thought he meant to have such an one now anointed king: because I have refused him ; or it is not my pleasure that he should be king; though Ben... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:8

Then Jesse called Abinadab ,.... His second son, 1 Samuel 17:13 . and made him pass before Samuel : that he might take a full view of him: and he said, neither hath the Lord chosen this ; which he knew by a private suggestion from him. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:9

Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by ,.... His third son, 1 Samuel 17:13 , sometimes called Shimma, and Shimeah, 1 Chronicles 2:13 . and he said, neither hath the Lord chosen this ; which he knew in the same way as before. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:10

Again Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel ,.... Not seven more, for he had but eight sons in all with David, 1 Samuel 17:12 but four more, which with the other three made seven; three of these four are mentioned by name, Nathanael, Raddai, and Ozem, 1 Chronicles 2:14 , but the fourth we nowhere read of; perhaps he died quickly after this, was an obscure person, and of no fame and note, or might be by another woman: and Samuel said unto Jesse, the Lord hath not chosen these... 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Samuel 16:12

And he sent and brought him in ,.... Sent messengers into the field and to the flock for him, and being come home Jesse introduced him into the room where Samuel was: now he was ruddy ; which some understand not of the ruddiness of his complexion, or of his cheeks, but of the redness of his hair; the former seems best: and withal of a beautiful countenance ; of comely features: or "beautiful eyes" F5 עם יפה עינים "simul pulcher oculis", Montanus; "cum pulchritudine... read more

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