"But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him:…" — 1 Samuel 16:7

1 Samuel 16:7 · KJV

“But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for {the LORD seeth} not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. {outward...: Heb. eyes}”

— 1 Samuel 16:7

Verse 6

And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD'S anointed {is} before him. {Eliab: called Elihu}

Verse 8

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

1 Samuel 16 — Context

And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.

And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD'S anointed {is} before him. {Eliab: called Elihu}

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for {the LORD seeth} not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart. {outward...: Heb. eyes}

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

Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this. {Shammah: Shimeah, also called, Shimma}

Cross References

John 7:24

Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.

Jeremiah 17:10

I the LORD search the heart, {I} try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, {and} according to the fruit of his doings.

Luke 16:15

And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.

1 Peter 3:4

But {let it be} the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, {even the ornament} of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

Isaiah 55:8-9

For my thoughts {are} not your thoughts, neither {are} your ways my ways, saith the LORD.

Proverbs 16:2

All the ways of a man {are} clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits.

Proverbs 31:30

Favour {is} deceitful, and beauty {is} vain: {but} a woman {that} feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

Psalms 147:10-11

He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.

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