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.
1 Samuel 16:11 · King James Version
Meaning
When Samuel asked Jesse if all his children were present, Jesse mentioned that the youngest son, who was out tending the sheep, had not yet arrived. Samuel then requested that the youngest son be brought before him before they could proceed further. This verse highlights the importance of David, the youngest son of Jesse, who would later become the great King of Israel. It signifies that God's choice is not always aligned with human expectations, as David was not the eldest or the most obvious choice according to human standards. This verse also demonstrates the significance of patience and waiting for God's timing, as Samuel and Jesse were willing to wait for David to arrive before making any decisions. Overall, this verse sets the stage for the anointing of David as the future king and emphasizes God's sovereign choice and timing in the selection of His leaders.
Theological Overview
In this verse, we see Samuel asking Jesse if all his children are present, as he is there to anoint the next king of Israel. Jesse hesitates and mentions that the youngest of his sons, David, is out tending to the sheep. Samuel insists on David being brought before him before they sit down, indicating that David, despite his youth and position as a shepherd, is the one chosen by God to be the future king. This moment is significant in showing that God looks beyond outward appearances and chooses individuals based on their hearts and character. The theological interpretation of this verse underscores the idea that God's chosen ones are often unexpected and may not fit the traditional expectations of society. It also highlights the importance of obedience and faithfulness, as David's willingness to fulfill his duties as a shepherd ultimately leads to his anointing as king. Through word studies, we can delve deeper into the significance of terms such as "sheep" and "youngest," shedding light on their symbolic meanings within the biblical context.
1 Samuel 16:11 in other translations
American Standard Version
And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he is keeping the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him; for we will not sit down till he come hither.
World English Bible
Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your children here?” He said, “There remains yet the youngest, and behold, he is keeping the sheep.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him; for we will not sit down until he comes here.”
Douay-Rheims
And Samuel said to Isai: Are here all thy sons? He answered: There remaineth yet a young one, who keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said to Isai: Send, and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Finally, Samuel said vnto Ishai, Are there no more children but these? And hee sayde, There remaineth yet a litle one behinde, that keepeth the sheepe. Then Samuel saide vnto Ishai, Sende and set him: for we will not sit downe, till he be come hither.