1 Samuel 16:11
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.
Original Language Analysis
הֲתַ֣מּוּ
Are here all
H8552
הֲתַ֣מּוּ
Are here all
Strong's:
H8552
Word #:
5 of 25
to complete, in a good or a bad sense, literal, or figurative, transitive or intransitive
הַנְּעָרִים֒
thy children
H5288
הַנְּעָרִים֒
thy children
Strong's:
H5288
Word #:
6 of 25
(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit
ע֚וֹד
H5750
ע֚וֹד
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
8 of 25
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
שָׁאַ֣ר
There remaineth
H7604
שָׁאַ֣ר
There remaineth
Strong's:
H7604
Word #:
9 of 25
properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant
הַקָּטָ֔ן
yet the youngest
H6996
הַקָּטָ֔ן
yet the youngest
Strong's:
H6996
Word #:
10 of 25
abbreviated, i.e., diminutive, literally (in quantity, size or number) or figuratively (in age or importance)
רֹעֶ֖ה
and behold he keepeth
H7462
רֹעֶ֖ה
and behold he keepeth
Strong's:
H7462
Word #:
12 of 25
to tend a flock; i.e., pasture it; intransitively, to graze (literally or figuratively); generally to rule; by extension, to associate with (as a frie
בַּצֹּ֑אן
the sheep
H6629
בַּצֹּ֑אן
the sheep
Strong's:
H6629
Word #:
13 of 25
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
שִׁלְחָ֣ה
Send
H7971
שִׁלְחָ֣ה
Send
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
18 of 25
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
וְקָחֶ֔נּוּ
and fetch
H3947
וְקָחֶ֔נּוּ
and fetch
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
19 of 25
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
20 of 25
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
21 of 25
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נָסֹ֖ב
him for we will not sit down
H5437
נָסֹ֖ב
him for we will not sit down
Strong's:
H5437
Word #:
22 of 25
to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively
עַד
H5704
עַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
23 of 25
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
Cross References
2 Samuel 7:8Now 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:1 Chronicles 17:7Now 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:1 Samuel 17:28And 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.2 Samuel 13:3But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man.
Historical Context
Shepherding, while essential, was considered lowly work often assigned to youngest sons or hired servants. The sheep's isolation in wilderness areas meant extended absence from family and community life. David's separation from the sacrificial gathering may reflect his status as an afterthought in family affairs.
Questions for Reflection
- Who in your community might be overlooked for significant service despite genuine faithfulness?
- How does David's initial exclusion encourage those who feel marginalized or undervalued?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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.
David's absence from the ceremony reveals his marginal status within his own family - assigned to menial labor while his brothers participated in sacred rituals. The Hebrew qatan (youngest/smallest) emphasizes both age and social standing. Samuel's insistence 'we will not sit down till he come hither' introduced urgency and elevated the overlooked son to center stage. God's pattern of choosing the least likely candidate - Abel over Cain, Isaac over Ishmael, Jacob over Esau - reaches its clearest expression.