1 Samuel 16:7

NET Bible® (New English Translation)

But the LORD said to Samuel,“Don’t be impressed by his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. God does not view things the way men do. People look on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

  • John 7:24 : 24 Do not judge according to external appearance, but judge with proper judgment.”
  • Jer 17:10 : 10 I, the LORD, probe into people’s minds. I examine people’s hearts. I deal with each person according to how he has behaved. I give them what they deserve based on what they have done.
  • Luke 16:15 : 15 But Jesus said to them,“You are the ones who justify yourselves in men’s eyes, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly prized among men is utterly detestable in God’s sight.
  • Isa 55:8-9 : 8 “Indeed, my plans are not like your plans, and my deeds are not like your deeds,” says the LORD, 9 “for just as the sky is higher than the earth, so my deeds are superior to your deeds and my plans superior to your plans.
  • 1 Chr 28:9 : 9 “And you, Solomon my son, obey the God of your father and serve him with a submissive attitude and a willing spirit, for the LORD examines all minds and understands every motive of one’s thoughts. If you seek him, he will let you find him, but if you abandon him, he will reject you permanently.
  • 1 Kgs 8:39 : 39 then listen from your heavenly dwelling place, forgive their sin, and act favorably toward each one based on your evaluation of his motives.(Indeed you are the only one who can correctly evaluate the motives of all people.)
  • Ps 147:10-11 : 10 He is not enamored with the strength of a horse, nor is he impressed by the warrior’s strong legs. 11 The LORD takes delight in his faithful followers, and in those who wait for his loyal love.
  • Prov 16:2 : 2 All a person’s ways seem right in his own opinion, but the LORD evaluates the motives.
  • 1 Pet 3:4 : 4 but the inner person of the heart, the lasting beauty of a gentle and tranquil spirit, which is precious in God’s sight.
  • Prov 31:30 : 30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting. A woman who fears the LORD– she makes herself praiseworthy.
  • Jer 20:12 : 12 O LORD of Heaven’s Armies, you test and prove the righteous. You see into people’s hearts and minds. Pay them back for what they have done because I trust you to vindicate my cause.
  • 1 Pet 2:4 : 4 A Living Stone, a Chosen People So as you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but chosen and precious in God’s sight,
  • 1 Sam 10:23-24 : 23 So they ran and brought him from there. When he took his position among the people, he stood head and shoulders above them all. 24 Then Samuel said to all the people,“Do you see the one whom the LORD has chosen? Indeed, there is no one like him among all the people!” All the people shouted out,“Long live the king!”
  • 2 Chr 16:9 : 9 Certainly the LORD watches the whole earth carefully and is ready to strengthen those who are devoted to him. You have acted foolishly in this matter; from now on you will have war.”
  • Ps 7:9 : 9 May the evil deeds of the wicked come to an end! But make the innocent secure, O righteous God, you who examine inner thoughts and motives!
  • Ps 139:2 : 2 You know when I sit down and when I get up; even from far away you understand my motives.
  • Prov 15:11 : 11 Death and Destruction are before the LORD– how much more the hearts of humans!
  • Acts 1:24 : 24 Then they prayed,“Lord, you know the hearts of all. Show us which one of these two you have chosen
  • 2 Cor 10:7 : 7 You are looking at outward appearances. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, he should reflect on this again: Just as he himself belongs to Christ, so too do we.
  • 2 Cor 10:10 : 10 because some say,“His letters are weighty and forceful, but his physical presence is weak and his speech is of no account.”
  • Heb 4:13 : 13 And no creature is hidden from God, but everything is naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.
  • Rev 2:23 : 23 Furthermore, I will strike her followers with a deadly disease, and then all the churches will know that I am the one who searches minds and hearts. I will repay each one of you what your deeds deserve.
  • Job 10:4 : 4 Motivations of God“Do you have eyes of flesh, or do you see as a human being sees?
  • 2 Sam 14:25 : 25 Now in all Israel everyone acknowledged that there was no man as handsome as Absalom. From the soles of his feet to the top of his head he was perfect in appearance.
  • 1 Sam 9:2 : 2 He had a son named Saul, a handsome young man. There was no one among the Israelites more handsome than he was; he stood head and shoulders above all the people.
  • Jer 11:20 : 20 So I said,“O LORD of Heaven’s Armies, you are a just judge! You examine people’s hearts and minds. I want to see you pay them back for what they have done because I trust you to vindicate my cause.”

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

  • 1 Sam 16:8-13
    6 verses
    84%

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

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

    10Jesse presented seven of his sons to Samuel. But Samuel said to Jesse,“The LORD has not chosen any of these.”

    11Then Samuel said to Jesse,“Is that all of the young men?” Jesse replied,“There is still the youngest one, but he’s taking care of the flock.” Samuel said to Jesse,“Send and get him, for we cannot turn our attention to other things until he comes here.”

    12So Jesse had him brought in. Now he was ruddy, with attractive eyes and a handsome appearance. The LORD said,“Go and anoint him. This is the one!”

    13So Samuel took the horn full of olive oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers. The Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day onward. Then Samuel got up and went to Ramah.

  • 1 Sam 16:6
    83%

    6When they arrived, Samuel noticed Eliab and said to himself,“Surely, here before the LORD stands his chosen king!”

  • 1 Sam 16:1-3
    3 verses
    78%

    1Samuel Anoints David as King The LORD said to Samuel,“How long do you intend to mourn for Saul? I have rejected him as king over Israel. Fill your horn with olive oil and go! I am sending you to Jesse in Bethlehem, for I have selected a king for myself from among his sons.”

    2Samuel replied,“How can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me!” But the LORD said,“Take a heifer with you and say,‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’

    3Then invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you should do. You will anoint for me the one I point out to you.”

  • 1 Sam 8:5-7
    3 verses
    77%

    5They said to him,“Look, you are old, and your sons don’t follow your ways. So now appoint over us a king to lead us, just like all the other nations have.”

    6But this request displeased Samuel, for they said,“Give us a king to lead us.” So Samuel prayed to the LORD.

    7The LORD said to Samuel,“Do everything the people request of you. For it is not you that they have rejected, but it is me that they have rejected as their king.

  • 1 Sam 9:15-17
    3 verses
    76%

    15Now the day before Saul arrived, the LORD had told Samuel:

    16“At this time tomorrow I will send to you a man from the land of Benjamin. You must consecrate him as a leader over my people Israel. He will save my people from the hand of the Philistines. For I have looked with favor on my people. Their cry has reached me!”

    17When Samuel saw Saul, the LORD said,“Here is the man that I told you about! He will rule over my people.”

  • 1 Sam 13:13-15
    3 verses
    74%

    13Then Samuel said to Saul,“You have made a foolish choice! You have not obeyed the commandment that the LORD your God gave you. Had you done that, the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever!

    14But now your kingdom will not continue! The LORD has sought out for himself a man who is loyal to him and the LORD has appointed him to be leader over his people, for you have not obeyed what the LORD commanded you.”

    15Then Samuel set out and went up from Gilgal to Gibeah in the territory of Benjamin. Saul mustered the army that remained with him; there were about six hundred men.

  • 1 Sam 10:9
    73%

    9Saul Becomes King As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed his inmost person. All these signs happened on that very day.

  • 1 Sam 15:26
    73%

    26Samuel said to Saul,“I will not go back with you, for you have rejected the LORD’s orders, and the LORD has rejected you from being king over Israel!”

  • 1 Sam 15:1
    73%

    1Saul Is Rejected as King Then Samuel said to Saul,“I was the one the LORD sent to anoint you as king over his people Israel. Now listen to what the LORD says.

  • 1 Sam 16:18-19
    2 verses
    72%

    18One of his attendants replied,“I have seen a son of Jesse in Bethlehem who knows how to play the lyre. He is a brave warrior and is articulate and handsome, for the LORD is with him.”

    19So Saul sent messengers to Jesse and said,“Send me your son David, who is out with the sheep.”

  • 1 Sam 10:23-24
    2 verses
    72%

    23So they ran and brought him from there. When he took his position among the people, he stood head and shoulders above them all.

    24Then Samuel said to all the people,“Do you see the one whom the LORD has chosen? Indeed, there is no one like him among all the people!” All the people shouted out,“Long live the king!”

  • 1 Sam 15:17
    72%

    17Samuel said,“Is it not true that when you were insignificant in your own eyes, you became head of the tribes of Israel? The LORD chose you as king over Israel.

  • 1 Sam 17:42
    72%

    42When the Philistine looked carefully at David, he despised him, for he was only a ruddy and handsome boy.

  • 1 Sam 15:10-11
    2 verses
    70%

    10Then the LORD’s message came to Samuel:

    11“I regret that I have made Saul king, for he has turned away from me and has not done what I told him to do.” Samuel became angry and he cried out to the LORD all that night.

  • 1 Sam 9:2
    70%

    2He had a son named Saul, a handsome young man. There was no one among the Israelites more handsome than he was; he stood head and shoulders above all the people.

  • 1 Sam 16:22
    70%

    22Then Saul sent word to Jesse saying,“Let David be my servant, for I really like him.”

  • 1 Sam 15:35
    70%

    35Until the day he died Samuel did not see Saul again. Samuel did, however, mourn for Saul, but the LORD regretted that he had made Saul king over Israel.

  • 1 Sam 12:1
    69%

    1Samuel said to all Israel,“I have done everything you requested. I have given you a king.

  • 1 Sam 15:28
    69%

    28Samuel said to him,“The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you this day and has given it to one of your colleagues who is better than you!

  • 1 Sam 3:7
    69%

    7Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD; the LORD’s messages had not yet been revealed to him.

  • 1 Sam 8:21-22
    2 verses
    69%

    21So Samuel listened to everything the people said and then reported it to the LORD.

    22The LORD said to Samuel,“Do as they say and install a king over them.” Then Samuel said to the men of Israel,“Each of you go back to his own city.”

  • 1 Sam 10:1
    69%

    1Samuel Anoints Saul Then Samuel took a small container of olive oil and poured it on Saul’s head. Samuel kissed him and said,“The LORD has chosen you to lead his people Israel! You will rule over the LORD’s people and you will deliver them from the power of the enemies who surround them. This will be your sign that the LORD has chosen you as leader over his inheritance.

  • 1 Sam 28:14
    69%

    14He said to her,“What about his appearance?” She said,“An old man is coming up! He is wrapped in a robe!”Then Saul realized it was Samuel, and he bowed his face toward the ground and kneeled down.

  • 1 Sam 8:10
    69%

    10So Samuel spoke all of the LORD’S words to the people who were asking him for a king.

  • 1 Sam 3:18
    69%

    18So Samuel told him everything. He did not hold back anything from him. Eli said,“The LORD will do what he pleases.”

  • 1 Sam 9:19
    69%

    19Samuel replied to Saul,“I am the seer! Go up in front of me to the high place! Today you will eat with me and in the morning I will send you away. I will tell you everything that you are thinking.

  • 1 Sam 15:14
    69%

    14Samuel replied,“If that is the case, then what is this sound of sheep in my ears and the sound of cattle that I hear?”

  • 1 Sam 28:16-17
    2 verses
    69%

    16Samuel said,“Why are you asking me, now that the LORD has turned away from you and has become your enemy?

    17The LORD has done exactly as I prophesied! The LORD has torn the kingdom from your hand and has given it to your neighbor David!

  • 1 Chr 10:14
    68%

    14He did not seek the LORD’s guidance, so the LORD killed him and transferred the kingdom to David son of Jesse.

  • 1 Sam 15:22
    68%

    22Then Samuel said,“Does the LORD take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as he does in obedience? Certainly, obedience is better than sacrifice; paying attention is better than the fat of rams.

  • 1 Sam 8:19
    68%

    19But the people refused to heed Samuel’s warning. Instead they said,“No! There will be a king over us!

  • Jer 15:1
    68%

    1Then the LORD said to me,“Even if Moses and Samuel stood before me pleading for these people, I would not feel pity for them! Get them away from me! Tell them to go away!