And Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen these.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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1 Samuel 16:10
What does 1 Samuel 16:10 mean?
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1 Samuel 16:10
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It's easy to skim over this, but notice that Jesse brought seven sons to Samuel, not just one or two! This shows Jesse's almost desperate, perhaps even slightly cynical, attempt to find a son worthy of God's calling, indicating how far removed they were from recognizing the true heart God was looking for.
And Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen these.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Just before this, Samuel had been sent by God to anoint a new king for Israel, as Saul's reign was clearly failing. Jesse, David's father, presents his older sons, one by one, and Samuel recognizes that God has not chosen any of them to replace Saul. This sets the stage for the introduction of David, who is overlooked by his own family and not even present when Samuel arrives.
We often have our own ideas about who God should choose. We look for the obvious strengths, the impressive resumes. But does God's selection process match ours?
In this moment, Jesse parades his sons before Samuel, likely expecting one of them to be God's pick. These were probably impressive young men, perhaps tall, strong, and skilled. Yet, Samuel declares, 'The LORD has not chosen these.' This highlights a crucial truth: our human criteria for leadership and divine favor are often vastly different from God's. We assess based on outward appearances, achievements, and status. God, however, looks deeper.
When God chooses, it's not about impressing a crowd or fitting a mold. It's about His sovereign plan. What does this mean for us?
The narrative immediately shifts from a procession of 'qualified' candidates to the introduction of the overlooked shepherd boy, David. This isn't just a story about David; it's a profound statement about God's sovereignty. He is not bound by human expectations or the prominence of individuals. He chooses whom He wills, often the least likely, to showcase His power and purposes. Jesse's sons were presented, but the ultimate decision rested entirely with the LORD.
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This event unfolds during a critical transition in Israel's history, moving from a system of judges to monarchy, highlighting God's sovereign choice amidst human expectations and failures.
c. 1075 BC
Eli's sons sin and die
The corrupt sons of the priest Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, die in battle after desecrating the Ark of the Covenant, marking a spiritual low point for Israel and signaling the end of Eli's line of priestly leadership.
c. 1070 BC
Samuel the prophet judges Israel
Samuel, raised by Eli and now a recognized prophet and judge, faithfully serves Israel, traveling from town to town to settle disputes and offer spiritual guidance, establishing his authority and integrity.
c. 1055 BC
Israel demands a king
The elders of Israel, pressured by surrounding nations and perhaps disillusioned with the perceived failings of Samuel's sons as future judges, demand a king like the other nations.
c. 1050 BC
Saul is secretly anointed king
Samuel, grieving the people's demand but guided by God, privately anoints Saul of Benjamin as the first king of Israel, marking a significant shift in Israel's governance.
c. 1050 BC
Saul's public presentation and rejection
Saul is presented to the people as king, initially hidden, and later confirmed through victory over the Ammonites. However, Saul quickly disobeys God's commands, leading to his rejection as king.
c. 1030 BC— this verse
God instructs Samuel to anoint a new king
After Saul's repeated disobedience, God tells Samuel that He will not relent from making Saul king but instructs Samuel to find a replacement, directing him to the house of Jesse of Bethlehem.
c. 1030 BC
David is anointed king
Samuel visits Bethlehem, meets Jesse, and anoints his youngest son David as king while David is still a youth, unbeknownst to Saul. This sets the stage for David's rise.
This passage immediately follows the verse, showing that the eighth son, David, was the one chosen by the Lord, emphasizing God's choice of the unexpected.
1 Samuel 17:28Eliab, Jesse's eldest son and one of the sons passed over in 1 Samuel 16:10, speaks harshly to David, demonstrating how those overlooked by God can sometimes resent His chosen ones.
1 Samuel 9:2Saul, the first king of Israel, was chosen by God despite his humble and even hidden background, paralleling God's tendency to select those overlooked by human standards.
1 Corinthians 1:27-29This New Testament passage directly echoes the principle seen in 1 Samuel 16:10, stating that God chooses the weak, foolish, and lowly to shame the wise and strong, revealing His consistent pattern of selecting the unexpected.
It's easy to skim over this, but notice that Jesse brought seven sons to Samuel, not just one or two! This shows Jesse's almost desperate, perhaps even slightly cynical, attempt to find a son worthy of God's calling, indicating how far removed they were from recognizing the true heart God was looking for.
Just before this, Samuel had been sent by God to anoint a new king for Israel, as Saul's reign was clearly failing. Jesse, David's father, presents his older sons, one by one, and Samuel recognizes that God has not chosen any of them to replace Saul. This sets the stage for the introduction of David, who is overlooked by his own family and not even present when Samuel arrives.
Just before this, Samuel had been sent by God to anoint a new king for Israel, as Saul's reign was clearly failing. Jesse, David's father, presents his older sons, one by one, and Samuel recognizes that God has not chosen any of them to replace Saul. This sets the stage for the introduction of David, who is overlooked by his own family and not even present when Samuel arrives.
"And Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. And Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen these.”" — It's easy to skim over this, but notice that Jesse brought seven sons to Samuel, not just one or two! This shows Jesse's almost desperate, perhaps even slightly cynical, attempt to find a son wor…
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Last reviewed October 2026