What Does 1 Samuel 16:10 Mean in the King James?
Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
Being brought before Samuel is not the same as being chosen by the LORD.
THE MEANING
A full lineup still leaves the choice unresolved: the LORD has not chosen these sons. Being presented, counted, or expected does not make someone the one selected. The verse keeps the scene open.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
The belief that the visible list must contain the one who is chosen dissolves here: seven sons pass before Samuel, and none is selected.
THE ROOT
בָּחַר
bachar
GROWS FROM
בחר
b-ḥ-r
to choose, select
“chosen” in this verse is bachar. The Hebrew verb names the act of selection itself. The sons are made to pass before Samuel, but presentation is not selection; the verse keeps those two acts distinct.
ALSO GROWS
bechir: chosen one; elect
בְּחִיר
This form names the one who has been selected, making visible the distinction between being presented and being chosen.
mibchar: choice; the best or choicest selection
מִבְחָר
This form carries the root into the result of choosing: what is selected from among what is available.
THE PATTERN
A visible candidate list does not determine whom God chooses.
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.For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;THE THREAD
For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.Both verses use בחר (bachar, “choose, select”): the sons pass before Samuel and are not chosen, while Deuteronomy names a people as chosen. The shared root makes the distinction clear: selection is an act in its own right, not a synonym for being presented.
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