1 Samuel 16:9
1 Samuel 16:9 in Multiple Translations
Next Jesse presented Shammah, but Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.”
Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.
Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath Jehovah chosen this.
Then Jesse made Shammah come before him. And he said, The Lord has not taken this one.
Then Jesse had Shammah come forward. But Samuel said, “The Lord hasn't chosen this one either.”
Then Ishai made Shammah come. And he said, Neither yet hath the Lord chosen him.
And Jesse causeth Shammah to pass by, and he saith, 'Also on this Jehovah hath not fixed.'
Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. He said, “The LORD has not chosen this one, either.”
Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.
And Isai brought Samma, and he said of him: Neither hath the Lord chosen this.
Then Jesse told his next oldest son Shammah to step forward. He stepped forward, but Samuel said, “Yahweh has not chosen this one, either.”
Then Jesse sent Shammah, and Samuel said, “No, God hasn’t picked this one either.”
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Samuel 16:9
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
1 Samuel 16:9 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יַּעֲבֵ֥ר
יִשַׁ֖י
שַׁמָּ֑ה
וַ/יֹּ֕אמֶר
גַּם
בָּ/זֶ֖ה
לֹא
בָחַ֥ר
יְהוָֽה
וַ/יַּעֲבֵ֥ר
ʻâbar
H5674
to pass
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
יִשַׁ֖י
Yishay
H3448
Jesse
N-proper
שַׁמָּ֑ה
Shammâh
H8048
Shammah
N-proper
וַ/יֹּ֕אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
גַּם
gam
H1571
also
DirObjM
בָּ/זֶ֖ה
zeh
H2088
this
Prep | Pron
לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
בָחַ֥ר
bâchar
H977
to choose
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
יְהוָֽה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Samuel 16:9
וַ/יַּעֲבֵ֥ר
ʻâbar
H5674
"to pass"
Conj | V-Hiphil-ConsecImperf-3ms
This verb can mean to cross over or transition from one thing to another, and is sometimes used to describe being arrogant or crossing a boundary.
Definition: 1) to pass over or by or through, alienate, bring, carry, do away, take, take away, transgress 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to pass over, cross, cross over, pass over, march over, overflow, go over 1a2) to pass beyond 1a3) to pass through, traverse 1a3a) passers-through (participle) 1a3b) to pass through (the parts of victim in covenant) 1a4) to pass along, pass by, overtake and pass, sweep by 1a4a) passer-by (participle) 1a4b) to be past, be over 1a5) to pass on, go on, pass on before, go in advance of, pass along, travel, advance 1a6) to pass away 1a6a) to emigrate, leave (one's territory) 1a6b) to vanish 1a6c) to perish, cease to exist 1a6d) to become invalid, become obsolete (of law, decree) 1a6e) to be alienated, pass into other hands 1b) (Niphal) to be crossed 1c) (Piel) to impregnate, cause to cross 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to cause to pass over, cause to bring over, cause to cross over, make over to, dedicate, devote 1d2) to cause to pass through 1d3) to cause to pass by or beyond or under, let pass by 1d4) to cause to pass away, cause to take away 1e) (Hithpael) to pass over
Usage: Occurs in 493 OT verses. KJV: alienate, alter, [idiom] at all, beyond, bring (over, through), carry over, (over-) come (on, over), conduct (over), convey over, current, deliver, do away, enter, escape, fail, gender, get over, (make) go (away, beyond, by, forth, his way, in, on, over, through), have away (more), lay, meddle, overrun, make partition, (cause to, give, make to, over) pass(-age, along, away, beyond, by, -enger, on, out, over, through), (cause to, make) [phrase] proclaim(-amation), perish, provoke to anger, put away, rage, [phrase] raiser of taxes, remove, send over, set apart, [phrase] shave, cause to (make) sound, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] sweet smelling, take (away), (make to) transgress(-or), translate, turn away, (way-) faring man, be wrath. See also: Genesis 8:1; Deuteronomy 27:2; 1 Samuel 25:19.
יִשַׁ֖י
Yishay
H3448
"Jesse"
N-proper
Jesse was the father of King David and a member of the tribe of Judah, and his name means 'I possess', showing his importance in the family and community.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at Rut.4.17; son of: Obed (H5744); father of: David (H1732), Eliab (H0446I), Abinadab (H0041I), Shimeah (H8093), Nethanel (H5417H), Raddai (H7288), Ozem (H0684), Zeruiah (H6870), Abigail (H0026H)(?) and Elihu (H0453J) Also named: Iessai (Ἰεσσαί "Jesse" G2421) § Jesse = "I possess" son of Boaz and the father of king David
Usage: Occurs in 39 OT verses. KJV: Jesse. See also: Ruth 4:17; 1 Samuel 20:30; Psalms 72:20.
שַׁמָּ֑ה
Shammâh
H8048
"Shammah"
N-proper
Shammah was a man in the tribe of Judah and brother of King David. He was first mentioned in 1 Samuel 16:9 and was also known as Shimea. Shammah's father was Jesse and he had several siblings.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Judah living at the time of United Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Sa.16.9; son of: Jesse (H3448); brother of: David (H1732), Eliab (H0446I), Abinadab (H0041I), Nethanel (H5417H), Raddai (H7288), Ozem (H0684), Zeruiah (H6870), Abigail (H0026H)(?) and Elihu (H0453J); father of: Jonadab (H3122); also called Shimei (KJV: Shimea) at 2Sa.21.21; Shammah at 1Sa.16.9; 17.13; Shimea at 1Ch.2.13; 20.7; Another name of shim.ah (שִׁמְעָה "Shimeah" H8093) § Shammah = "astonishment" 1) son of Reuel, grandson of Esau, and a chief of Edom 2) the 3rd son of Jesse and a brother of David 3) son of Agee the Hararite and one of the 30 of David's mighty warriors 4) the Harodite, one of the 30 of David's mighty warriors 5) another Hararite, one of the 30 of David's mighty warriors
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: Shammah. See also: Genesis 36:13; 1 Samuel 17:13; 1 Chronicles 1:37.
וַ/יֹּ֕אמֶר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
גַּם
gam
H1571
"also"
DirObjM
Also means 'even' or 'too', used for emphasis or to connect ideas, like 'both...and' or 'neither...nor'. It can introduce a climax or show contrast.
Definition: 1) also, even, indeed, moreover, yea 1a) also, moreover (giving emphasis) 1b) neither, neither...nor (with negative) 1c) even (for stress) 1d) indeed, yea (introducing climax) 1e) also (of correspondence or retribution) 1f) but, yet, though (adversative) 1g) even, yea, yea though (with 'when' in hypothetical case) 2) (TWOT) again, alike
Usage: Occurs in 661 OT verses. KJV: again, alike, also, (so much) as (soon), both (so)...and, but, either...or, even, for all, (in) likewise (manner), moreover, nay...neither, one, then(-refore), though, what, with, yea. See also: Genesis 3:6; Exodus 19:9; 1 Samuel 14:21.
בָּ/זֶ֖ה
zeh
H2088
"this"
Prep | Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning this or that, used to point out a specific person or thing. It appears in many contexts, including Genesis and Psalms, to indicate something specific. The KJV translates it as he, here, or it.
Definition: 1) this, this one, here, which, this...that, the one...the other, another, such 1a) (alone) 1a1) this one 1a2) this...that, the one...the other, another 1b) (appos to subst) 1b1) this 1c) (as predicate) 1c1) this, such 1d) (enclitically) 1d1) then 1d2) who, whom 1d3) how now, what now 1d4) what now 1d5) wherefore now 1d6) behold here 1d7) just now 1d8) now, now already 1e) (poetry) 1e1) wherein, which, those who 1f) (with prefixes) 1f1) in this (place) here, then 1f2) on these conditions, herewith, thus provided, by, through this, for this cause, in this matter 1f3) thus and thus 1f4) as follows, things such as these, accordingly, to that effect, in like manner, thus and thus 1f5) from here, hence, on one side...on the other side 1f6) on this account 1f7) in spite of this, which, whence, how
Usage: Occurs in 1061 OT verses. KJV: he, [idiom] hence, [idiom] here, it(-self), [idiom] now, [idiom] of him, the one...the other, [idiom] than the other, ([idiom] out of) the (self) same, such (a one) that, these, this (hath, man), on this side...on that side, [idiom] thus, very, which. Compare H2063 (זֹאת), H2090 (זֹה), H2097 (זוֹ), H2098 (זוּ). See also: Genesis 5:1; Exodus 10:17; Numbers 14:16.
לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
בָחַ֥ר
bâchar
H977
"to choose"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
To choose or select is the meaning of this Hebrew word, which appears in Deuteronomy. It can also mean to be chosen or elected. The KJV translates it as 'choose' or 'acceptable'.
Definition: 1) to choose, elect, decide for 1a) (Qal) to choose 1b) (Niphal) to be chosen 1c) (Pual) to be chosen, selected
Usage: Occurs in 162 OT verses. KJV: acceptable, appoint, choose (choice), excellent, join, be rather, require. See also: Genesis 6:2; 2 Kings 23:27; Psalms 25:12.
יְהוָֽה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
Study Notes — 1 Samuel 16:9
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Samuel Anoints David
7But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”
8Then Jesse called Abinadab and presented him to Samuel, who said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.”
9Next Jesse presented Shammah, but Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.”
10Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel told him, “The LORD has not chosen any of these.” 11And Samuel asked him, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied, “but he is tending the sheep.” “Send for him,” Samuel replied. “For we will not sit down to eat until he arrives.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Samuel 17:13 | The three older sons of Jesse had followed Saul into battle: The firstborn was Eliab, the second was Abinadab, and the third was Shammah. |
| 2 | 1 Chronicles 2:13 | Jesse was the father of Eliab his firstborn; Abinadab was born second, Shimea third, |
| 3 | 2 Samuel 13:3 | Now Amnon had a friend named Jonadab, the son of David’s brother Shimeah. Jonadab was a very shrewd man, |
1 Samuel 16:9 Summary
This verse shows that God was not interested in choosing Shammah as the future king of Israel, just like He had already rejected his other brothers. This teaches us that God looks at our heart, not how we look on the outside, as it says in 1 Samuel 16:7. It's a reminder that what matters most to God is what's inside us, not our appearance or abilities. We can learn to trust God's choices and plans for our lives, even when they don't make sense to us, by looking to His Word and promises, such as Jeremiah 29:11.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did God reject Shammah as the future king of Israel?
God rejected Shammah because He sees the heart, not the outward appearance, as stated in 1 Samuel 16:7, and apparently Shammah's heart was not what God was looking for in a leader.
Is this verse suggesting that God makes mistakes in His choices?
No, this verse is not suggesting that God makes mistakes, but rather that God's choices are based on His perfect knowledge of each person's heart, as seen in 1 Samuel 16:7 and Jeremiah 17:10.
What can we learn from the fact that Jesse presented seven of his sons to Samuel before the right one was chosen?
We can learn that God's ways are not our ways, and His choices may not always align with our expectations, as stated in Isaiah 55:8-9, and we must trust in His sovereignty and wisdom.
How does this verse relate to the concept of God's sovereignty in our lives?
This verse demonstrates that God is actively involved in the lives of His people, guiding and directing them according to His will, as seen in Proverbs 16:9 and Romans 8:28-30.
Reflection Questions
- What are some areas in my life where I am trying to impress others with my outward appearance, and how can I shift my focus to cultivating a heart that pleases God?
- In what ways can I trust God's sovereignty in my life, even when His choices and plans do not align with my expectations?
- How can I apply the principle of looking beyond outward appearances to my relationships with others, and instead seek to understand and appreciate their inner qualities and character?
- What are some lessons I can learn from Jesse's experience of presenting his sons to Samuel, and how can I apply those lessons to my own life and decisions?
Gill's Exposition on 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.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Samuel 16:9
But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Samuel 16:9
Shammah, called also Shimeah, , and Shimna .
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Samuel 16:9
1 Samuel 16:9 Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.Ver. 9. Then Jesse made Shammah.] Called elsewhere Shimeah; and Shimma.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Samuel 16:9
9. Shammah] Also called Shimeah (2 Samuel 13:3), or Shimea (1 Chronicles 20:7); Shimma in 1 Chronicles 2:13 should be written Shimea. Two of his sons are mentioned: Jonadab, celebrated for sagacity (2 Samuel 13:3): Jonathan, for courage (2 Samuel 21:21). 10 Again, Jesse made, &c.] “So Jesse made seven of his sons,” &c., including of course the three already mentioned by name.