Norwegian 2018 (Bibelen - Guds Ord Hverdagsbibelen (Hermon Forlag))
Da faren kom med sønnene sine, tenkte Samuel da han fikk øye på Eliab: «Det er sikkert mannen som jeg skal salve til ny konge. Det er nok ham Herren har valgt!» Men Herren sa til Samuel: «Ikke se på utseendet hans. Det har ingen betydning at han ser sterk ut, for han er ikke god nok. Det er ikke mannen, for Herren ser ikke etter det som et menneske ser etter. Mennesket ser på det ytre, men Herren ser til hjertet.»
What Does This Mean?
In this verse, Samuel looks at Eliab and thinks he must be the one chosen by God, but God tells Samuel not to judge by outward appearances. Samuel is speaking, emphasizing that God's choice is not based on physical looks but on the heart.
Explained for Children
Imagine if your parents picked your new pet not by how cute it looks, but by how kind and friendly it is inside. That's what this verse is saying. God doesn't pick leaders by how they look, but by their character inside.
Historical Background
The book of 1 Samuel was likely written by Samuel, Nathan, and Gad. It covers the transition from the rule of judges to the monarchy. This verse is part of the story about God choosing David as the new king, and the audience would have been the Israelites, who were learning about God's ways of choosing leaders.
Living It Out Today
In today's world, we often judge people by their looks or what they have. But this verse reminds us to look deeper. For example, at work, instead of just looking for someone with impressive credentials, consider their integrity and character.
Topics
leadershipjudgmentcharacterGod's choiceappearance vs. heartfaith