Then Jesse called Abinadab and presented him to Samuel, who said, "The LORD has not chosen this one either." Then Jesse called AbinadabIn this phrase, we see Jesse, the father of David, actively participating in the process of presenting his sons to the prophet Samuel. The name "Abinadab" in Hebrew means "my father is noble" or "father of generosity." This reflects the cultural importance of names in ancient Israel, often signifying character or destiny. Jesse's action of calling Abinadab suggests a hope or expectation that he might be the chosen one, highlighting the human tendency to judge by outward appearances or societal norms. and presented him to Samuel
The act of presenting Abinadab to Samuel is significant in the context of ancient Israelite customs. Samuel, as a prophet, held a position of spiritual authority, and Jesse's presentation of his son indicates respect and recognition of Samuel's role as God's messenger. This moment underscores the importance of divine selection over human choice, a recurring theme in the narrative of David's anointing. who said, 'The LORD has not chosen this one either.'
Samuel's response is a direct revelation from God, emphasizing the divine prerogative in choosing leaders. The phrase "The LORD has not chosen" reflects the Hebrew concept of divine election, where God’s choices often defy human expectations. This statement serves as a reminder that God's criteria for leadership are based on the heart rather than external attributes. It also foreshadows the eventual selection of David, the youngest and seemingly least likely candidate, illustrating the biblical principle that God often uses the humble and unexpected to fulfill His purposes. Persons / Places / Events 1. JesseThe father of David and his brothers, a resident of Bethlehem. He is presenting his sons to Samuel as potential candidates for kingship. 2. AbinadabOne of Jesse's sons, presented to Samuel as a potential king, but not chosen by God. 3. SamuelThe prophet of God, sent to anoint the next king of Israel after Saul. He is discerning God's choice among Jesse's sons. 4. BethlehemThe town where Jesse and his family live, and where Samuel is sent to find the new king. 5. The LORDThe sovereign God who guides Samuel in choosing the next king, emphasizing His criteria over human judgment. Teaching Points God's Criteria vs. Human CriteriaGod looks beyond outward appearances and considers the heart. We should strive to align our judgments with God's perspective. Divine SelectionGod's choices often defy human expectations. Trust in His wisdom and timing, even when it seems contrary to our understanding. Patience in God's PlanLike Samuel, we must be patient and discerning, waiting for God's clear direction rather than rushing decisions based on appearances. The Role of ObedienceSamuel's obedience to God's instructions is crucial. Our obedience to God's word and guidance is essential in fulfilling His plans. The Importance of HumilityAbinadab's experience reminds us that not being chosen for a particular role does not diminish our value or potential in God's eyes. Bible Study Questions 1. How does 1 Samuel 16:8 challenge our understanding of leadership and selection in our personal and professional lives? 2. In what ways can we ensure that we are looking at the heart, as God does, rather than outward appearances when making decisions? 3. How can we cultivate patience and discernment like Samuel when seeking God's guidance in our lives? 4. Reflect on a time when God's choice in your life differed from your expectations. How did you respond, and what did you learn? 5. How can the account of Abinadab and his brothers encourage us to find contentment and purpose, even when we are not chosen for a specific role or task? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Samuel 16:7This verse precedes 16:8 and highlights God's criteria for choosing a king, focusing on the heart rather than outward appearance. 1 Samuel 17:13Abinadab is mentioned again as one of the brothers who went to war with Saul, showing his continued involvement in Israel's history. Acts 13:22This verse refers to David as a man after God's own heart, contrasting God's choice with human expectations. Psalm 78:70-72These verses reflect on God's choice of David, emphasizing His divine selection and guidance. People Abinadab, David, Eliab, Jesse, Samuel, Saul, ShammahPlaces Bethlehem, Gibeah, RamahTopics Abinadab, Abin'adab, Calleth, Causeth, Chosen, Either, Fixed, Front, Jesse, Pass, SamuelDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Samuel 16:1-12 1020 God, all-knowing 1 Samuel 16:1-13 5086 David, rise of
5366 king
6622 choice
7735 leaders, political 1 Samuel 16:6-11 5204 age 1 Samuel 16:6-13 5661 brothers 1 Samuel 16:7-13 8319 perception, spiritual Library The Shepherd-King
'And the Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt them mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel! fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Beth-lehemite: for I have provided Me a king among his sons. 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. 3. And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Call of David.
"So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and with a stone."--1 Samuel xvii. 50. These words, which are taken from the chapter which you heard read just now in the course of the Service[1], declare the victory which David, the man after God's own heart, gained over Goliath, who came out of the army of the Philistines to defy the Living God; and they declare the manner of his gaining it. He gained it with a sling and with a stone; that is, by means, which to man might seem weak and …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII Of the Joy of a Good Conscience
The testimony of a good conscience is the glory of a good man. Have a good conscience and thou shalt ever have joy. A good conscience is able to bear exceeding much, and is exceeding joyful in the midst of adversities; an evil conscience is ever fearful and unquiet. Thou shalt rest sweetly if thy heart condemn thee not. Never rejoice unless when thou hast done well. The wicked have never true joy, nor feel internal peace, for there is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked.(1) And if they say …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ Early Days
The life of David is naturally divided into epochs, of which we may avail ourselves for the more ready arrangement of our material. These are--his early years up to his escape from the court of Saul, his exile, the prosperous beginning of his reign, his sin and penitence, his flight before Absalom's rebellion, and the darkened end. We have but faint incidental traces of his life up to his anointing by Samuel, with which the narrative in the historical books opens. But perhaps the fact that the story …
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David And He had Also this Favour Granted Him. ...
66. And he had also this favour granted him. For as he was sitting alone on the mountain, if ever he was in perplexity in his meditations, this was revealed to him by Providence in prayer. And the happy man, as it is written, was taught of God [1112] . After this, when he once had a discussion with certain men who had come to him concerning the state of the soul and of what nature its place will be after this life, the following night one from above called him, saying, Antony, rise, go out and look.' …
Athanasius—Select Works and Letters or Athanasius The Sun Rising Upon a Dark World
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon then hath the light shined. C ontrasts are suited to illustrate and strengthen the impression of each other. The happiness of those, who by faith in MESSIAH, are brought into a state of peace, liberty, and comfort, is greatly enhanced and heightened by the consideration of that previous state of misery in which they once lived, and of the greater misery to which they were justly exposed. …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 The Christ Crowned, the Fact
"When God sought a King for His people of old, He went to the fields to find him; A shepherd was he, with his crook and his lute And a following flock behind him. "O love of the sheep, O joy of the lute, And the sling and the stone for battle; A shepherd was King, the giant was naught, And the enemy driven like cattle. "When God looked to tell of His good will to men, And the Shepherd-King's son whom He gave them; To shepherds, made meek a-caring for sheep, He told of a Christ sent to save them. …
by S. D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on the Crowned Christ of Revelation The Christian's Book
Scripture references 2 Timothy 3:16,17; 2 Peter 1:20,21; John 5:39; Romans 15:4; 2 Samuel 23:2; Luke 1:70; 24:32,45; John 2:22; 10:35; 19:36; Acts 1:16; Romans 1:1,2; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4; James 2:8. WHAT IS THE BIBLE? What is the Bible? How shall we regard it? Where shall we place it? These and many questions like them at once come to the front when we begin to discuss the Bible as a book. It is only possible in this brief study, of a great subject, to indicate the line of some of the answers. …
Henry T. Sell—Studies in the Life of the Christian Samuel
Alike from the literary and the historical point of view, the book[1] of Samuel stands midway between the book of Judges and the book of Kings. As we have already seen, the Deuteronomic book of Judges in all probability ran into Samuel and ended in ch. xii.; while the story of David, begun in Samuel, embraces the first two chapters of the first book of Kings. The book of Samuel is not very happily named, as much of it is devoted to Saul and the greater part to David; yet it is not altogether inappropriate, …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Samuel 16:8 NIV1 Samuel 16:8 NLT1 Samuel 16:8 ESV1 Samuel 16:8 NASB1 Samuel 16:8 KJV
1 Samuel 16:8 Commentaries
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