1 Samuel 16:6

ESV When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, "Surely the Lord 's anointed is before him."

NIV When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, "Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord."

NASB When they entered, he looked at Eliab and thought, 'Surely the Lord’S anointed is standing before Him.'

CSB When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and said, "Certainly the Lord’s anointed one is here before him."

NLT When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, 'Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!'

KJV And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the Lord'S anointed is before him.

NKJV So it was, when they came, that he looked at Eliab and said, “Surely the Lord’s anointed is before Him!”

What does 1 Samuel 16:6 mean?

The Lord has sent Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint one of Jesse's sons as the next king over Israel (1 Samuel 16:1). Samuel does not know which of Jesse's sons the Lord has chosen. Each son passes before Samuel, as he waits for the Lord to reveal His choice (1 Samuel 16:3). It is unclear whether the sons are passing by Samuel to be consecrated by the prophet for the shared community peace offering to the Lord (1 Samuel 16:5) or only to determine which one the Lord has chosen (1 Samuel 16:10).

The first of Jesse's sons to arrive is the oldest, Eliab (1 Samuel 17:13). His name is given as Elihu is 1 Chronicles 27:18. Seeing the man, Samuel thinks he must be the one God has chosen. Perhaps Samuel assumed it would be the firstborn of Jesse's sons. Or perhaps he was struck by a seemingly kingly appearance (1 Samuel 16:7). Saul, the Lord's first choice of king was both tall and handsome (1 Samuel 9:2).

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Context Summary
First Samuel 16:1–13 describes the anointing of David as Israel's next king. The Lord tells Samuel to go to Bethlehem because He has chosen one of Jesse's sons for that role. Samuel consecrates Jesse and his sons for a sacrifice and feast. Seeing Eliab, Samuel thinks this must be the chosen one. But the Lord rejects all the sons until Jesse calls his youngest from tending sheep. The Lord tells Samuel to anoint this overlooked son, David. When he does, the Lord's Spirit comes into David just as it did on the day Samuel first anointed Saul to be Israel's king. However, in this case, the Spirit of the Lord remains with David for the rest of his life.

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Chapter Summary
The Lord sends Samuel to Bethlehem to anoint one of Jesse's sons as king. The Lord reveals His choice to be David, Jesse's youngest son. Samuel anoints the young man. God's Spirit comes on David but departs from King Saul. When the Lord sends a harmful spirit on Saul, his servant suggests that the king recruit David to play the lyre whenever Saul is tormented. Saul does so, and he quickly bonds with David, making the young man his armor-bearer.

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