1 Samuel 16:10
Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these. Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these.
Jesse made seven of his sons to pass one by one before Samuel for inspection, and the Lord gave no sign choosing any of them to be king in Saul's place. After Eliab, the six other sons who were present passed by in turn, while Samuel watched with painful suspense to the last. He had judged by handsome countenance and fine stature that the elder son was the anointed, and he would have chosen the elder brothers, but he was left perplexed and bewildered when none was chosen, so he asked whether all the children were there and sent for the youngest who was keeping the sheep.
The refusal shows that human judgment looks on outward appearance while the Lord looks on the heart, so noble appearance and outward promise do not reveal fitness or the qualities God values. The noble-appearing older sons lacked what God required, and their pride and self-confidence contrasted with David's simplicity and sincerity and his readiness to be trained for the kingdom. His faithfulness and courage as a shepherd fitted him to become ruler. God had selected and appointed David, the youngest son of Jesse, a mere youth and shepherd lad called from the flock in the field, to receive the promise of the throne and succeed to the kingdom over which Saul had reigned.
Though utterly helpless in himself, David trusted the word of God and withstood Saul, the established monarch bent on holding fast his power, with the power of the whole world arrayed against him. His stand witnesses that living faith in God's word triumphs over human power and policy in support of evil, and it marks the world's true nobility and royal line that youth today are called to join. Though Abner knew of the Lord's appointment of the son of Jesse to the throne, he despised the man God had chosen, was unwilling for him to succeed, and worked to divide Israel by raising up a rival king to exalt himself. No one can tell by outward promise which youth will render the best service to God, so children who seem less promising must not be denied education, and the church must not select only a few for thorough training but must give general education to all, for they may have abilities suited to important service.