God’s Word Translation
1 Samuel 16:12
12So Jesse sent for him. He had a healthy complexion, attractive eyes, and a handsome appearance. The Lord said, “Go ahead, anoint him. He is the one.”
1 Samuel 16:12 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the Lord said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.
- New International Version (NIV)So he sent for him and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”
- English Standard Version (ESV)And he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy and had beautiful eyes and was handsome. And the Lord said, "Arise, anoint him, for this is he."
- New King James Version (NKJV)So he sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with bright eyes, and good-looking. And the Lord said, “Arise, anoint him; for this is the one!”
Context of 1 Samuel 16:12
10So Jesse brought seven ⌞more⌟ of his sons to Samuel, but Samuel told Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen ⌞any of⌟ these. 11Are these all the sons you have?” “There’s still the youngest one,” Jesse answered. “He’s tending the sheep.” Samuel told Jesse, “Send someone to get him. We won’t continue until he gets here.” So Jesse sent for him. He had a healthy complexion, attractive eyes, and a handsome appearance. The Lord said, “Go ahead, anoint him. He is the one.” 13Samuel took the flask of olive oil and anointed David in the presence of his brothers. The Lord’s Spirit came over David and stayed with him from that day on. Then Samuel left for Ramah. 14Now, the Lord’s Spirit had left Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord tormented him.
Read all of 1 Samuel 161 Samuel 16:12 word by word
וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח וַיְבִיאֵ֙הוּ֙ וְה֣וּא אַדְמוֹנִ֔י עִם־יְפֵ֥ה עֵינַ֖יִם וְט֣וֹב רֹ֑אִי פ וַיֹּ֧אמֶר יְהוָ֛ה ק֥וּם מְשָׁחֵ֖הוּ כִּֽי־זֶ֥ה הֽוּא׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- And he sentשָׁלַחshâlach · to send: departH7971
- and brought him inבּוֹאbô' · to come (in): bringH935
- ruddyאַדְמוֹנִי'admônîy 'admônîy · redH132
- withalעִם‛im · withH5973
- of a beautifulיָפֶהyâpheh · beautifulH3303
- countenanceעַ֫יִן‛ayin · eyeH5869
- and goodlyטוֹבţôb · pleasantH2896
- to look toרֳאִיrŏ'îy · sightH7210
- And the Lordיְהֹוָהyehôvâh · LORDH3068
- saidאָמַר'âmar · to sayH559
- Ariseקוּםqûm · to arise: riseH6965
- anointמָשַׁחmâshach · to anointH4886
Cross-references for 1 Samuel 16:12
- 1 Samuel 17:42When the Philistine got a good look at David, he despised him. After all, David was a young man with a healthy complexion and good looks.
- Lamentations 4:7Zion’s princes were purer than snow, whiter than milk. Their bodies were more pink than coral. Their hair was like sapphires.
- Acts 7:20“At that time Moses was born, and he was a very beautiful child. His parents took care of him for three months.
- Hebrews 11:23Faith led Moses’ parents to hide him for three months after he was born. They did this because they saw that Moses was a beautiful baby and they were not afraid to disobey the king’s order.
- 1 Samuel 16:7But the Lord told Samuel, “Don’t look at his appearance or how tall he is, because I have rejected him. God does not see as humans see. Humans look at outward appearances, but the Lord looks into the heart.”
- 1 Samuel 9:17When Samuel noticed Saul, the Lord told him, “There’s the man I told you about. This man will govern my people.”
- Psalms 2:2Kings take their stands. Rulers make plans together against the Lord and against his Messiah by saying,
- Psalms 89:19Once in a vision you said to your faithful ones: “I set a boy above warriors. I have raised up one chosen from the people.
- Acts 4:27“In this city Herod and Pontius Pilate made plans together with non-Jewish people and the people of Israel. They made their plans against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed.
Commentaries on 1 Samuel 16:12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12He was ruddy - I believe the word here means red-haired, he had golden locks. Hair of this kind is ever associated with a delicate skin and florid complexion.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 6-13Verses 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…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 1-23David replaced Saul as king. David and Saul were alike in these ways: Samuel anointed both. Neither was pursuing the position of king. Both were unlikely choices (Saul was from the smallest tribe, and David was the youngest son). They were both good-looking (1 Samuel 9:2; 16:12). The Spirit rushed upon each when anointed as king (1 Samuel 10:10; 11:6; 16:13). The main difference was that David was "a man after [God's] own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14; compare…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. he was ruddy, &c.--Josephus says that David was ten, while most modern commentators are of the opinion that he must have been fifteen years of age.Read the comment
Topics related to 1 Samuel 16:12
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on 1 Samuel 16
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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