1 Samuel 16:12
1 Samuel 16:12 in Multiple Translations
So Jesse sent for his youngest son and brought him in. He was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him, for he is the one.”
And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.
And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look upon. And Jehovah said, Arise, anoint him; for this is he.
So he sent and made him come in. Now he had red hair and beautiful eyes and pleasing looks. And the Lord said, Come, put the oil on him, for this is he.
So Jesse sent for him and brought him in. He had a red complexion with beautiful eyes, and looked handsome. The Lord said, “Go and anoint him, for he's the one.”
And he sent, and brought him in: and he was ruddie, and of a good countenance, and comely visage. And the Lord saide, Arise, and anoynt him: for this is he.
And he sendeth, and bringeth him in, and he [is] ruddy, with beauty of eyes, and of good appearance; and Jehovah saith, 'Rise, anoint him, for this [is] he.'
He sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with a handsome face and good appearance. The LORD said, “Arise! Anoint him, for this is he.”
And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and also of a beautiful countenance, and a good appearance. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.
He sent therefore and brought him Now he was ruddy and beautiful to behold, and of a comely face. And the Lord said: Arise, and anoint him, for this is he.
So Jesse sent someone to bring David there. And when David arrived, Samuel saw that he was handsome and healthy, and had bright eyes. Then Yahweh said, “This is the one whom I have chosen; anoint him to be king.”
So Jesse sent somebody to get David, and he brought him back. David was a good-looking young man, with a strong body and a nice face. God said to Samuel, “This is the one. Stand up now, and pour olive oil on his head. I picked him to be the next big boss.”
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 16:12
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1 Samuel 16:12 Interlinear (Deep Study)
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 16:12
Study Notes — 1 Samuel 16:12
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Samuel 16:12 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 16:12
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 16:12
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 16:12
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 16:12
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 16:12
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 16:12
- Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 16:12
- Sermons on 1 Samuel 16:12
Context — Samuel Anoints David
12So Jesse sent for his youngest son and brought him in. He was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him, for he is the one.”
13So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah. 14Now the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and a spirit of distress from the LORD began to torment him.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lamentations 4:7 | Her dignitaries were brighter than snow, whiter than milk; their bodies were more ruddy than rubies, their appearance like sapphires. |
| 2 | Psalms 89:19–20 | You once spoke in a vision; to Your godly ones You said, “I have bestowed help on a warrior; I have exalted one chosen from the people. I have found My servant David; with My sacred oil I have anointed him. |
| 3 | Song of Solomon 5:10 | My beloved is dazzling and ruddy, outstanding among ten thousand. |
| 4 | Genesis 39:6 | So Potiphar left all that he owned in Joseph’s care; he did not concern himself with anything except the food he ate. Now Joseph was well-built and handsome, |
| 5 | 1 Samuel 17:42 | When the Philistine looked and saw David, he despised him because he was just a boy, ruddy and handsome. |
| 6 | Psalms 2:2 | The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One: |
| 7 | Acts 7:20 | At that time Moses was born, and he was beautiful in the sight of God. For three months he was nurtured in his father’s house. |
| 8 | Acts 4:27 | In fact, this is the very city where Herod and Pontius Pilate conspired with the Gentiles and the people of Israel against Your holy servant Jesus, whom You anointed. |
| 9 | 1 Samuel 9:17 | When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD told him, “Here is the man of whom I spoke; he shall rule over My people.” |
| 10 | Hebrews 11:23 | By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after his birth, because they saw that he was a beautiful child, and they were unafraid of the king’s edict. |
1 Samuel 16:12 Summary
[This verse tells us that God chose David, the youngest son of Jesse, to be the next king of Israel. God didn't choose David because of how he looked, but because of his heart, as we see in 1 Samuel 16:7. This teaches us that God values what's inside a person, not just how they appear on the outside (like in Genesis 1:27 where we are created in God's image). It also reminds us that God is in control and can choose anyone to fulfill His plans, just like we see in Romans 11:33-34 where God's wisdom and knowledge are beyond our understanding.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that David was 'ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance' in 1 Samuel 16:12?
This description of David's physical appearance highlights his youthful vitality and good looks, but it is not the reason God chose him, as 1 Samuel 16:7 reminds us that God looks at the heart, not outward appearance, just like in Genesis 1:27 where God created humans in His own image.
Why did God tell Samuel to 'rise and anoint him, for he is the one' in 1 Samuel 16:12?
God's instruction to anoint David signifies His choice of David as the next king of Israel, demonstrating God's sovereignty in selecting leaders, as seen in Deuteronomy 17:15 where God commands the Israelites to appoint a king He chooses.
How does 1 Samuel 16:12 relate to the concept of God's sovereignty in leadership selection?
This verse shows that God is actively involved in choosing leaders, and His choices may not always align with human expectations, as expressed in Romans 11:33-34, which talks about the depth of God's wisdom and knowledge.
What can we learn from the fact that David was the youngest son and yet God chose him?
This emphasizes that God's choices are not limited by human conventions or expectations, and He can use anyone, regardless of their background or position, as seen in Jeremiah 1:6-7 where God calls Jeremiah to be a prophet despite his youth.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I need to trust God's sovereignty, just like Samuel had to trust God's choice of David?
- How can I cultivate a heart that is pleasing to God, like David's, as described in 1 Samuel 16:7?
- In what ways can I surrender my own expectations and desires to God's will, just like Jesse and his sons had to surrender their understanding of who should be the next king?
- What does this verse teach me about God's perspective on leadership and the qualities He values in a leader?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Samuel 16:12
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 16:12
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 16:12
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 16:12
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Samuel 16:12
Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 16:12
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Samuel 16:12
Sermons on 1 Samuel 16:12
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Making of a Man of God by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the preacher begins by expressing a desire to draw closer to God and be broken before Him. He emphasizes that even in the midst of trials and confusion, God is at w |
|
(Men God Made) Gideon by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the preacher announces that the next week's topic will be the life of David. He mentions that there are about 42 chapters dedicated to David in the Bible, and he pr |
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A New King in Preparation by George Warnock | George Warnock emphasizes God's sovereign plan in raising David as a new king-priest after Saul's failure, illustrating how God fulfills His purposes despite human shortcomings. He |
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I Chronicles 12:8 by Chuck Smith | Chuck Smith explores the parallels between David and Christ, emphasizing how David, anointed by God, faced rejection and exile yet gathered a diverse group of followers who were wi |
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Dead to Sin; Alive to God by Erlo Stegen | In this sermon, the speaker shares a story about a young doctor who is faced with a difficult situation. The doctor is treating a man who has lost four fingers, but the possibility |
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David - Raised Up by God by Devern Fromke | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the contrast between man's way of achieving and fulfilling God's will and God's way. He uses the examples of Saul, who was chosen by the peop |
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The People's Christ by C.H. Spurgeon | The sermon transcript describes the exaltation of Christ Jesus after completing his work on earth. It portrays a triumphant scene of angels rejoicing as Jesus approaches the gates |







