Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.

1 SAMUEL 16:8KJV
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1 Samuel 16:8 (KJV)

What does 1 Samuel 16:8 mean?

1 Samuel 16:8 describes how Jesse brought his son Abinadab before the prophet Samuel, but Samuel made it clear that the LORD had not chosen Abinadab to be the next king. This verse shows that, despite Abinadab being presented as a possible candidate, he was not selected by God for this special role.

In this scene, Samuel is at Jesse’s house in Bethlehem, sent by God to anoint a new king for Israel after Saul. Jesse is presenting his sons one by one, hoping one will be chosen. Samuel, acting as God’s messenger, listens for God’s guidance and announces that Abinadab is not the chosen one, showing that God’s choice is not based on human expectations.

The Hebrew behind 1 Samuel 16:8

  • יִקְרָא (qara’, “called”): This word means to call or summon. Jesse is actively bringing his sons forward, showing intentionality in presenting each one to Samuel.
  • עֲבַר (avar, “pass”): This verb means to pass by or pass before. The idea is that Abinadab is being presented for inspection or consideration, not just walking by casually.
  • בָּחַר (bachar, “chosen”): This word means to choose or select. Samuel’s statement that the LORD has not “chosen” Abinadab emphasizes that the decision is entirely God’s, not based on appearance or human preference.

Why 1 Samuel 16:8 matters

  • This verse highlights that God’s selection for leadership is not based on human standards or expectations, as even strong or impressive candidates like Abinadab are passed over.
  • The process of each son being presented and rejected builds suspense and sets the stage for the eventual choice of David, the youngest and least expected.
  • The verse reminds readers that God’s choices often defy cultural norms or family order, pointing to a larger theme throughout the Bible of God valuing the heart over outward appearance.

Where else these words appear

“Abinadab” Hebrew H41 · used in 11 verses

  • 1 Samuel 7:1 And the men of Kirjathjearim came, and fetched up the ark of the LORD, and brought it into the house of Abinadab in the hill, and sanctified Eleazar his son to keep the ark of the LORD.
  • 2 Samuel 6:3 And they set the ark of God upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart.
  • 1 Chronicles 8:33 And Ner begat Kish, and Kish begat Saul, and Saul begat Jonathan, and Malchishua, and Abinadab, and Eshbaal.

“Jesse” Hebrew H3448 · used in 39 verses

  • Ruth 4:17 And the women her neighbours gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.
  • 1 Samuel 17:12 Now David was the son of that Ephrathite of Bethlehemjudah, whose name was Jesse; and he had eight sons: and the man went among men for an old man in the days of Saul.
  • 2 Samuel 20:1 And there happened to be there a man of Belial, whose name was Sheba, the son of Bichri, a Benjamite: and he blew a trumpet, and said, We have no part in David, neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to his tents, O Israel.

“Samuel” Hebrew H8050 · used in 120 verses

  • Numbers 34:20 And of the tribe of the children of Simeon, Shemuel the son of Ammihud.
  • 1 Samuel 9:15 Now the LORD had told Samuel in his ear a day before Saul came, saying,
  • 1 Samuel 15:20 And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.