What does 1 Samuel 16:11 mean?
Samuel has traveled at the Lord's command to anoint a new king of Israel (1 Samuel 16:1). He will also be offering a sacrifice in Bethlehem (1 Samuel 16:2). Samuel has invited the town elders, Jesse, and Jesse's sons to the sacrifice (1 Samuel 16:5). The new king will be one of Jesse's sons, but Samuel does not know which one (1 Samuel 16:3).So far, seven of Jesse's sons have passed before Samuel. None is the man God has chosen to be king (1 Samuel 16:10), and there seem to be no sons left. With evident faith in God's command and call, Samuel asks Jesse if all of his sons are present. Jesse says, almost dismissively, that there is one more. The youngest, or smallest, is out watching the sheep. The implication is that Jesse did not intend his youngest boy to come to the sacrifice and feast with the others. He was to stay in the field with the sheep. It is uncertain whether the boy has even been told about Samuel's presence in Bethlehem and the sacrifice.
Samuel tells Jesse to send someone to call him in to be consecrated for the feast. They will not start until the last of Jesse's sons arrives.