1 Samuel 16:11

9 Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.

10 Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these.

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.

12 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.

13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.

Here the Bible tells a story about someone else. Ask yourself what it can say to us today. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
And Samuel asked him, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied, “but he is tending the sheep.” “Send for him,” Samuel replied. “For 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.
WEB
Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your children here?” He said, “There remains yet the youngest. Behold, he is keeping the sheep.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we will not sit down until he comes here.”
ASV
And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he is keeping the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him; for we will not sit down till he come hither.
DARBY
And Samuel said to Jesse, Are these all the young men? And he said, There is yet the youngest remaining, and behold, he is feeding the sheep. And Samuel said to Jesse, Send and fetch him; for we will not sit at table till he come hither.
BLB
And Samuel said to Jesse, “The young men are finished?” And he said, “Yet there remains the youngest, and behold, he is tending the sheep.” And Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and bring him, for we will not sit down until he comes here.”
ÅB
Og Samuel sa til Isai: Var dette alle de gutter du har? Han svarte: Enda er den yngste tilbake; han vokter småfeet. Da sa Samuel til Isai: Send bud etter ham! Vi setter oss ikke til bords før han kommer.
OTB
Da sa Samuel til Isai: «Er dette alle guttene?» Og han sa: «Det gjenstår ennå den yngste, men se, han gjeter sauene.» Så sa Samuel til Isai: «Send bud og hent ham, for vi vil ikke sette oss før han kommer hit.»
B1930
Og Samuel sa til Isai: Var dette alle de gutter du har? Han svarte: Ennu er den yngste tilbake; han vokter småfeet. Da sa Samuel til Isai: Send bud efter ham! Vi setter oss ikke til bords før han kommer.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Psalms 78:70–71

    He chose David also his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds:

    Read in context
  • 2 Samuel 7:8

    Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel:

    Read in context
  • 1 Samuel 17:28

    And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle.

    Read in context
  • 1 Chronicles 17:7

    Now therefore thus shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, even from following the sheep, that thou shouldest be ruler over my people Israel:

    Read in context
  • 2 Samuel 13:3

    But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David’s brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man.

    Read in context
  • 1 Samuel 17:12–15

    Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Beth-lehem-judah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men for an old man in the days of Saul.

    Read in context