1 Samuel 16 — Hebrew and Greek compared
Each card keeps the independently rendered source readings above their shared comparison and reception notes. The badge records the source’s governing classification; disparate readings are marked in red. Each reading retains its original reference.
1 Samuel 16
God sees the heart: David’s anointing and Christ’s light
Published selection L3 joins selected anointing verses to John 9, the healing of the man born blind. This is the Fourth Sunday of Lent’s Year A scrutiny reading.
16:1–5 | Samuel is sent to Bethlehem
L3 selects 16:1b; the complete verses remain.
Verse MT 16:1 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:1
YHWH said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn over Saul, when I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and go. I will send you to Jesse the Beth-lehemite, for I have seen among his sons a king for Myself.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:1
The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn over Saul, when I have treated him as nothing so that he should not reign over Israel? Fill your horn with oil and come. I will send you to Jesse, to Bethlehem, for I have seen one among his sons to reign for Me.”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew explicitly names a king and Jesse’s origin; Greek gives Bethlehem as the destination and an infinitive of reigning. Hebrew go and Greek come remain visible.
Verse MT 16:2 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:2
Samuel said, “How can I go? Saul will hear and kill me.” YHWH said, “Take a heifer in your hand and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to YHWH.’
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:2
Samuel said, “How can I go? Saul will hear and kill me.” The Lord said, “Take a heifer in your hand and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The fear and instructed explanation agree. Both name a female bovine, retained as heifer.
Verse MT 16:3 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:3
Invite Jesse to the sacrifice. I will make known to you what you must do, and you shall anoint for Me the one I name to you.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:3
Invite Jesse to the sacrifice. I will make known to you what you must do, and you shall anoint the one I name to you.”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew explicitly includes for Me in the anointing instruction; Greek does not.
Verse MT 16:4 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:4
Samuel did what YHWH had spoken and came to Bethlehem. The city’s elders trembled as they met him, and he said, “Do you come in peace?”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:4
Samuel did everything the Lord had spoken to him and came to Bethlehem. The city’s elders were terrified at meeting him and said, “Do you enter in peace, seer?”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew’s final speaker is singular and unnamed, understood as a spokesman among the elders; Greek has plural speakers and explicitly addresses the seer. Greek also includes everything and to him.
Verse MT 16:5 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:5
He said, “In peace. I have come to sacrifice to YHWH. Consecrate yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” He consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:5
He said, “In peace. I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and rejoice with me today.” He consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew commands coming to the sacrifice; Greek commands rejoicing today. Both then report the family’s consecration and invitation.
16:6–13 | The sons presented and David anointed
L3 selects 16:6–7, 10–13a. Every verse and its remaining clauses are included.
Verse MT 16:6 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:6
When they came in, he saw Eliab and said, “Surely YHWH’s anointed is before Him.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:6
When they came in, he saw Eliab and said, “Surely His anointed is before the Lord.”
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Both report Samuel’s initial judgment concerning Eliab. The sentence is his perception, not yet the divine choice; anointed retains its immediate royal sense.
Verse MT 16:7 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:7
YHWH said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or the height of his stature, for I have rejected him. I do not see as a human sees: a human looks at the eyes, but YHWH looks at the heart.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:7
The Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or the bearing of his height, for I have treated him as nothing. God does not see as a human looks: a human looks at the face, but God looks at the heart.”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew’s compressed comparison leaves the first divine seeing clause implicit; I do not see supplies it. Hebrew eyes refers to what outward sight apprehends, while Greek names the face and explicitly names God twice. The heart contrast is not flattened into appearance alone.
Rabbinic: Rashi reads the rebuke as correcting Samuel’s confidence in his own sight: human appearance does not disclose what God sees. This is his interpretation of the prophet’s mistaken expectation [R16, on 16:7].
Verse MT 16:8 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:8
Jesse called Abinadab and made him pass before Samuel. He said, “YHWH has not chosen this one either.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:8
Jesse called Aminadab, and he passed before Samuel. He said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: The son’s name is Abinadab in Hebrew and Aminadab in Greek. Hebrew makes Jesse cause the passage; Greek says the son passed.
Verse MT 16:9 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:9
Jesse made Shammah pass by. He said, “YHWH has not chosen this one either.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:9
Jesse made Shammah pass by. He said, “The Lord has not chosen this one either.”
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The rejection agrees. Shammah represents the corresponding Greek Sama; the unnamed saying subject remains a pronoun.
Verse MT 16:10 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:10
Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel. Samuel said to Jesse, “YHWH has not chosen these.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:10
Jesse made his seven sons pass before Samuel. Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen among these.”
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Both count seven presented sons. Hebrew explicitly names Jesse as the addressee; the youngest remains outside the group until the following verses.
Verse MT 16:11 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:11
Samuel said to Jesse, “Are these all the young men?” He said, “The youngest still remains; he is tending the sheep.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and fetch him, for we will not sit around until he comes here.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:11
Samuel said to Jesse, “Have the boys run out?” He said, “There is still the youngest; he is tending the flock.” Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and fetch him, for we will certainly not recline until he comes.”
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Both ask whether any sons remain and postpone sitting for the meal. Greek explicitly uses reclining; Hebrew’s surrounding/sitting expression is construed from the meal context, without inventing an exact seating arrangement.
Verse MT 16:12 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:12
He sent and brought him. He was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. YHWH said, “Rise and anoint him, for this is he.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:12
He sent and brought him. He was ruddy, with beautiful eyes, and good to look upon before the Lord. The Lord said to Samuel, “Rise and anoint David, for this one is good.”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Greek explicitly relates the appearance to the Lord, names Samuel and David, and says this one is good. Hebrew identifies the chosen one without naming David until 16:13. Ruddy is retained without deciding whether skin or hair color is primary.
Verse MT 16:13 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:13
Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him among his brothers. YHWH’s Spirit rushed upon David from that day onward. Samuel rose and went to Ramah.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:13
Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him among his brothers. The Lord’s Spirit leaped upon David from that day onward. Samuel rose and went to Armathaim.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: The anointing and enduring Spirit-gift agree. The forceful Spirit verbs and the displayed home-place forms differ.
Rabbinic: Rashi describes the Spirit received by David as a spirit of valor [R16, on 16:13].
Saints: Acts 13:22–23 moves from David’s election to Jesus as the Savior brought from his descendants. This supplies the book’s explicit apostolic connection to Christ, rather than a new identity for David in this verse [NT1].
Continue this biblical connection — Apostolic proclamation: Acts 13:22-23.
The anointed servant enters a troubled court
Editorial Christian continuation of David’s story, which Acts 13:22–23 connects to Jesus [NT1]. Saul’s distress is translated without a modern clinical diagnosis.
16:14–23 | The distressing spirit and David’s music
Verse MT 16:14 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:14
YHWH’s Spirit departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from YHWH terrified him.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:14
The Lord’s Spirit departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the Lord choked him.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Both explicitly associate the distressing spirit with the Lord; that source attribution is not changed to mere permission. Hebrew describes terror; Greek choking or stifling. The verse is not converted into a modern medical diagnosis.
Verse MT 16:15 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:15
Saul’s servants said to him, “An evil spirit of God is terrifying you.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:15
Saul’s servants said to him, “An evil spirit of the Lord is choking you.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew names God and terror; Greek names the Lord and choking. The statement is the servants’ description within the story.
Verse MT 16:16 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:16
Let our lord command; your servants are before you. Let them seek a man skilled in playing the lyre. When an evil spirit of God is upon you, he will play with his hand, and it will be well with you.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:16
Let your servants speak before you and seek for our lord a man skilled in playing a kinyra. When an evil spirit is upon you, he will play his kinyra, and it will be well with you; he will give you rest.”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew asks the ruler to command; Greek asks the servants to speak. Hebrew specifies the spirit of God and playing with the hand; Greek names his instrument and adds giving rest. Human our lord remains lowercase. Kinyra is the retained Greek instrument form corresponding broadly to lyre.
Verse MT 16:17 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:17
Saul said to his servants, “Please find me a man who plays well and bring him to me.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:17
Saul said to his servants, “Please find me a man who plays properly and bring him to me.”
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The request for a skilled player agrees.
Verse MT 16:18 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:18
One of the young servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse the Beth-lehemite, skilled in playing, a mighty man of valor, a man of war, discerning in speech, and handsome; YHWH is with him.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:18
One of his young servants answered, “I have seen a son of Jesse, a Beth-lehemite, skilled in playing. The man is discerning, a warrior, wise in speech, and good in appearance; the Lord is with him.”
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew has mighty man of valor where Greek has discerning. Greek repeats the man constructions and explicitly calls the speaker his servant. Both report martial competence alongside music without adjusting the account to a conjectured age for David.
Verse MT 16:19 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:19
Saul sent messengers to Jesse, saying, “Send me your son David, who is with the sheep.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:19
Saul sent messengers to Jesse, saying, “Send me your son David, who is with your flock.”
Classification & Notes
Similar
Text: Greek explicitly calls the flock yours. The summons agrees.
Verse MT 16:20 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:20
Jesse took a donkey loaded with bread, a skin of wine, and one young goat, and sent them by the hand of his son David to Saul.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:20
Jesse took a gomor of loaves, a skin of wine, and one young goat, and sent them by the hand of his son David to Saul.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew has a donkey of bread, construed as a loaded donkey; Greek has the named measure gomor. Neither the donkey nor the measure is silently removed or converted to a modern volume.
Verse MT 16:21 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:21
David came to Saul and stood before him. He loved him greatly, and he became his armor-bearer.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:21
David came to Saul and stood before him. He loved him greatly, and he became the one carrying his equipment.
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: Both have compressed pronoun shifts, conventionally understood as Saul loving David and David becoming his bearer. The ancient clauses’ unnamed subjects remain pronouns.
Verse MT 16:22 Same
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:22
Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Please let David stand before me, for he has found favor in my eyes.”
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:22
Saul sent to Jesse, saying, “Please let David stand before me, for he has found favor in my eyes.”
Classification & Notes
Same
Text: The request to retain David in service and the favor-in-the-eyes image agree.
Verse MT 16:23 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
MT 16:23
Whenever a spirit of God came upon Saul, David took the lyre and played with his hand. Saul was relieved, and it was well with him, and the evil spirit departed from him.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
LXX 16:23
Whenever an evil spirit came upon Saul, David took the kinyra and played with his hand. Saul was refreshed, and it was well with him, and the evil spirit departed from him.
Classification & Notes
Different
Text: Hebrew initially says a spirit of God and calls it evil at the end; Greek initially says evil without of God. The distressing spirit is lowercase, distinct in context from the preceding gift of the Spirit. Neither column supplies a claim that the relief was permanent.