Discovery Box1 Samuel 16:8-11 
Context16:8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and presented him to Samuel. 1 But Samuel 2 said, “The Lord has not chosen this one, either.” 16:9 Then Jesse presented 3 Shammah. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.” 16:10 Jesse presented seven of his sons to Samuel. 4 But Samuel said to Jesse, “The Lord has not chosen any of these.” 16:11 Then Samuel said to Jesse, “Is that all of the young men?” Jesse 5 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.”
1 tn Heb “and caused him to pass before.”
2 tn Heb “he” (also in v. 9); the referent (Samuel) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
3 tn Heb “caused to pass by.”
4 tn Heb “caused seven of his sons to pass before Samuel.” This could be taken as referring to seven sons in addition to the three mentioned before this, but 1 Sam 17:12 says Jesse had eight sons, not eleven. 1 Chr 2:13-15 lists only seven sons, including David. However, 1 Chr 27:18 mentions an additional son, named Elihu.
5 tn Heb “he”; the referent (Jesse) has been specified in the translation both here and in v. 12 for clarity.
