What does 1 Samuel 16:11 mean?
"And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither." - 1 Samuel 16:11
The verse 1 Samuel 16:11 from the King James Version of the Bible states, "And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither."
This verse comes from the story of the anointing of David as the future king of Israel. In this passage, the prophet Samuel is sent by God to the house of Jesse in Bethlehem to anoint the next king of Israel. Jesse presents his sons to Samuel one by one, beginning with his eldest son, Eliab. However, despite Eliab's impressive appearance, God tells Samuel that He has not chosen Eliab to be the next king. This process is repeated as each of Jesse's sons is brought before Samuel, but none of them is chosen by God. Finally, Samuel asks Jesse if he has any other sons, and Jesse reveals that his youngest son, David, is out tending the sheep.
This verse is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it shows that God looks at the heart of a person, rather than their outward appearance. Eliab, as the eldest and most likely candidate for kingship based on societal norms, was not chosen by God because of his character. This is a recurring theme in the Bible, emphasizing the importance of humility, faith, and integrity over worldly success and power.
Furthermore, this verse demonstrates the unexpected ways in which God works. David, the youngest and least likely candidate for kingship based on human standards, is eventually chosen by God to be the future king. This serves as a reminder that God's ways are not always the ways of the world, and He often chooses the least likely individuals to fulfill His purposes.
The context of this verse is also significant. At the time of Samuel's visit to Jesse's house, King Saul was still ruling over Israel. His reign was coming to an end due to his disobedience to God, and Samuel had been sent to anoint the next king. This transition of power from Saul to David was a pivotal moment in the history of Israel, and the anointing of David marked the beginning of a new and important era for the nation.
The symbolism in this verse is profound. David, the shepherd boy, is a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ, who is often referred to as the Good Shepherd in the New Testament. The image of David tending to his father's sheep mirrors the role of Jesus as the ultimate shepherd who cares for and guides His people. Just as David was chosen by God to lead and protect the nation of Israel, Jesus was chosen by God to be the Savior and leader of all humanity.
In conclusion, 1 Samuel 16:11 is a crucial verse in the biblical narrative, highlighting the themes of God's sovereignty, the importance of inner character over outward appearance, and the unexpected ways in which God works. It also serves as a reminder of how God uses ordinary and unlikely individuals to accomplish His purposes, and the symbolism in this verse points forward to the coming of Jesus Christ as the ultimate shepherd and leader of His people. This passage encapsulates the timeless truths and profound wisdom found throughout the Bible, making it a significant and impactful part of the biblical narrative.
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1 Samuel 16:11 - "And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither."
"And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither." - 1 Samuel 16:11
1 Samuel 16:1–13
1 Samuel 3:16 - "Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I."
1 Samuel 16:10 - "Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these."
1 Samuel 11:14 - "Then said Samuel to the people, Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there."
1 Samuel 16:8 - "Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this."
1 Samuel 22:11-13
2 Samuel 11:16 - "And it came to pass, when Joab observed the city, that he assigned Uriah unto a place where he knew that valiant men were."
1 Samuel 28:16 - "Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy?"
1 Samuel 16:4 - "And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Beth-lehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?"
1 Samuel 16:13 - "Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah."
1 Samuel 28:11 - "Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel."
Zechariah 1:1-6
1 Samuel 15:16 - "Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what the LORD hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on."
1 Samuel 17:16 - "And the Philistine drew near morning and evening, and presented himself forty days."
1 Samuel 3:11 - "¶ And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle."
1 Samuel 6:16 - "And when the five lords of the Philistines had seen it, they returned to Ekron the same day."
1 Samuel 16:14 - "¶ But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him."
1 Samuel 10:16 - "And Saul said unto his uncle, He told us plainly that the asses were found. But of the matter of the kingdom, whereof Samuel spake, he told him not."
1 Samuel 12:11 - "And the LORD sent Jerubbaal, and Bedan, and Jephthah, and Samuel, and delivered you out of the hand of your enemies on every side, and ye dwelled safe."
1 Samuel 11:12 - "¶ And the people said unto Samuel, Who is he that said, Shall Saul reign over us? bring the men, that we may put them to death."
1 Samuel 1:16 - "Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto."
1 Chronicles 11:16 - "And David was then in the hold, and the Philistines' garrison was then at Beth-lehem."
1 Samuel 31:11 - "¶ And when the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard of that which the Philistines had done to Saul;"
1 Samuel 16:9 - "Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this."
1 Samuel 16:2 - "And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD."
1 Samuel 23:16 - "¶ And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God."
1 Samuel 16:15 - "And Saul's servants said unto him, Behold now, an evil spirit from God troubleth thee."
1 Samuel 19:16 - "And when the messengers were come in, behold, there was an image in the bed, with a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster."