1 Samuel 16:12

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

10In the same way all seven of Jesse’s sons were presented to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” 11Then Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. “But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep and goats.” “Send for him at once,” Samuel said. “We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.” So Jesse sent for him. He was dark and handsome, with beautiful eyes. And the Lord said, “This is the one; anoint him.” 13So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah. 14Now the Spirit of the Lord had left Saul, and the Lord sent a tormenting spirit that filled him with depression and fear.

1 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 17:42sneering in contempt at this ruddy-faced boy.
• Lamentations 4:7Our princes once glowed with health— brighter than snow, whiter than milk. Their faces were as ruddy as rubies, their appearance like fine jewels.
• Acts 7:20“At that time Moses was born—a beautiful child in God’s eyes. His parents cared for him at home for three months.
• Hebrews 11:23It was by faith that Moses’ parents hid him for three months when he was born. They saw that God had given them an unusual child, and they were not afraid to disobey the king’s command.
• 1 Samuel 16:7But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
• 1 Samuel 9:17When Samuel saw Saul, the Lord said, “That’s the man I told you about! He will rule my people.”
• Psalms 2:2The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the Lord and against his anointed one.
• Psalms 89:19Long ago you spoke in a vision to your faithful people. You said, “I have raised up a warrior. I have selected him from the common people to be king.
• Acts 4:27“In fact, this has happened here in this very city! For Herod Antipas, Pontius Pilate the governor, the Gentiles, and the people of Israel were all united against Jesus, your holy servant, 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

• Anointing
• Beauty
• Church and State
• Israel
• Jesse
• King
• Minister, Christian

In the dictionaries

• Appearance
• Bethlehem
• Comely
• David
• Color; Colors
• Countenance
• Gazing-Stock
• Jesse
• Look
• Ruddy

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