1 Samuel 16:8

1 Samuel 16:8, in plain English

Jesse presents his second son, Abinadab, but Samuel immediately says God hasn't chosen him either.

Why it's here

Samuel is learning the lesson. He's not making assumptions anymore—he's waiting for God's confirmation. Each son is presented, and Samuel keeps reporting the same thing: not this one. It's becoming a pattern, and it's building suspense. Jesse must be wondering what Samuel is looking for.

Who's speaking

Samuel speaking to Jesse, reporting what the LORD has shown him

Where it sits in the story

The rejections keep coming. We're moving through Jesse's sons, and the reader starts to realize none of them are the one. Something—or someone—is missing from this picture.

The scholarly reading

Jesse presents his second son, Abinadab, but Samuel similarly receives divine indication that he is not the chosen one.

Language and setting

The narrative begins the systematic process of elimination, which scholars such as Ralph W. Klein have noted mirrors testing or validation procedures. Each presentation moves through Jesse's sons in order, creating suspense while demonstrating that the selection cannot be predicted by conventional hierarchies. Abinadab receives no particular description—he is simply rejected—emphasizing that the criterion is neither appearance nor social standing.

Voice

Samuel announces God's rejection of Abinadab, presumably receiving divine communication (though not explicitly stated in verse 8).

Significance

The mounting rejection of Jesse's sons creates narrative tension and prepares the reader for the ultimate revelation: the chosen one has not yet appeared, suggesting he is outside the normal order of succession—perhaps the youngest, the overlooked, the one kept with the sheep.

6When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and said, “Surely here before the LORD is His anointed.”

7But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him; the LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart.”

8Then Jesse called Abinadab and presented him to Samuel, who said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.”

9Next Jesse presented Shammah, but Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.”

10Thus Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel told him, “The LORD has not chosen any of these.”

Read all of 1 Samuel 16 — God sends Samuel to a house in Bethlehem. Everyone expects the tall, strong son. God chooses the shepherd boy.