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1 Samuel 16:6

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Samuel 16:6 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely Jehovah`s anointed is before him.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely Jehovah`s anointed is before him.
1 Samuel 16:6 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Samuel 16

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
3And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee.
4And Samuel did that which Jehovah spake, and came to Beth-lehem. And the elders of the city came to meet him trembling, and said, Comest thou peaceably?
5And he said, Peaceably; I am come to sacrifice unto Jehovah: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.
6And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely Jehovah`s anointed is before him.
7But Jehovah said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have rejected him: for [Jehovah seeth] not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but Jehovah looketh on the heart.
8Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath Jehovah chosen this.
9Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath Jehovah chosen this.
← 1 Samuel 16:51 Samuel 16:7 →
← Full Chapter 16 1 Samuel Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And it came to pass, when they were come, etc.] 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, (<130213>1 Chronicles 2:13), called Elihu, (<132718>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 king.”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Samuel said, Surely the Lord's anointed is before him--Here Samuel, in consequence of taking his impressions from the external appearance, falls into the same error as formerly (Sa1 10:24).”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Before him - That is, in this place where God is now present. For it is observable, that not only the sacrifice is said to be offered, but even the feast upon the remainders of it is said, to be eaten before the Lord, Deu 12:7, that is, before or near his altar, where God was present in a special manner. This I take to be the person I am sent to anoint: wherein yet be was mistaken, as other prophets sometimes were, when they hastily spake their own thoughts, before they had consulted God. 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 16:10”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“16:6-7 his appearance or height: Like Saul, Eliab, Jesse’s oldest son, had an impressive outward appearance (cp. 9:2). Also like Saul, he was rejected (cp. 15:23). God had another man in mind to anoint as king. • the Lord looks at the heart: God can give a new heart (10:9), touch hearts (10:26), and peer into the deep motivations of the heart (Ps 139:1). God sees what people cannot see—a person’s true character. Eliab’s character comes out in 1 Sam 17:28.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Eliab: Sa1 17:13, Sa1 17:22; Ch1 2:13, Ch1 27:18, Elihu Surely: Jdg 8:18; Kg1 12:26 1 Kings (1 Samuel) 16:7”
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Related study paths

Read 1 Samuel 16 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification