And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD’s anointed is before him.
When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought to himself, 'Surely this must be the one the LORD has chosen to anoint as king.'
Samuel assumes that Eliab, who must have looked impressive and kingly, is God's chosen one to be the next king of Israel.
📚 Historical Context
In the biblical narrative, the prophet Samuel was sent by God to the house of Jesse in Bethlehem to anoint a new king after Saul had been rejected for his disobedience. When Jesse's sons were presented, Samuel saw Eliab, the eldest, and assumed he was God's chosen one based on his strong and impressive appearance. This moment highlights the cultural tendency in ancient Israel to value outward qualities in leaders, setting up a key lesson from God about true worth.
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