1 Samuel 16:9

Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

16:6-13 It was strange that Samuel, who had been so disappointed in Saul, whose countenance and stature recommended him, should judge of another man by that rule. We can tell how men look, but God can tell what they are. He judges of men by the heart. We often form a mistaken judgment of characters; but the Lord values only the faith, fear, and love, which are planted in the heart, beyond human discernment. And God does not favour our children according to our fond partiality, but often most honours and blesses those who have been least regarded. David at length was pitched upon. He was the youngest of the sons of Jesse; his name signifies Beloved; he was a type of God's beloved Son. It should seem, David was least set by of all the sons of Jesse. But the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. His anointing was not an empty ceremony, a Divine power went with that instituted sign; he found himself advanced in wisdom and courage, with all the qualifications of a prince, though not advanced in his outward circumstances. This would satisfy him that his election was of God. The best evidence of our being predestinated to the kingdom of glory, is, our being sealed with the Spirit of promise, and experience of a work of grace in our hearts.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Trembled - There was evidently something unusual in Samuel's coming to Bethlehem; and the elders, knowing that Samuel was no longer at friendship with Saul, foreboded some evil.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

6-10. Samuel said, Surely the Lord's anointed is before him—Here Samuel, in consequence of taking his impressions from the external appearance, falls into the same error as formerly (1Sa 10:24).

Matthew Poole's Commentary

Shammah, called also Shimeah, 2 Samuel 13:3, and Shimna 1 Chronicles 2:13.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

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.

Geneva Study Bible

Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

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.

1 Samuel 16:9

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

When Jesse thereupon brought up his other sons, one after another, before Samuel, the prophet said in the case of each, "This also Jehovah hath not chosen." As Samuel must be the subject to the verb ויּאמר in 1 Samuel 16:8-10, we may assume that he had communicated the object of his coming to Jesse.