Chapter
Verse

1 Samuel 16:11

ESV Then Samuel said to Jesse, "Are all your sons here?" And he said, "There remains yet the youngest, but behold, he is keeping the sheep." And Samuel said to Jesse, "Send and get him, for we will not sit down till he comes here."
NIV So he asked Jesse, "Are these all the sons you have?" "There is still the youngest," Jesse answered. "He is tending the sheep." Samuel said, "Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives."
NASB Then Samuel said to Jesse, 'Are these all the boys?' And he said, 'The youngest is still left, but behold, he is tending the sheep.' So Samuel said to Jesse, 'Send word and bring him; for we will not take our places at the table until he comes here.'
CSB Samuel asked him, "Are these all the sons you have?" "There is still the youngest," he answered, "but right now he’s tending the sheep." Samuel told Jesse, "Send for him. We won’t sit down to eat until he gets here."
NLT Then 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.'
KJV 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.
NKJV And Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all the young men here?” Then he said, “There remains yet the youngest, and there he is, keeping the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him. For we will not sit down till he comes here.”

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.
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