Command the Raven

1 Samuel 16:7, 10 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)

But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.
Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The Lord hath not chosen these. [Dake]

God had evidently directed Samuel to have every one of the 7 sons of Jesse pass before him, and then spoke in his ear in each case, to say this was not the right one [v7-10; 9:15].

When none were chosen Samuel knew something was wrong, because he had been directed to anoint one of Jesse’s family as king.

Upon inquiring he learned of another son who had been too busy to come to the feast. He was young and smaller than the others; but he was chosen of God who was looking on the heart and not the outward appearance.

The Lord saw him a man after His own heart [13:14; 16:7]. David was the youngest of Jesse’s 8 sons. He became a mighty man of valor [v 18].

He is referred to many times as a mighty warrior and able to do more than many others in combat. He killed a lion and a bear even as a youth [17:34-36].

His own mighty men acknowledged that he was worth 10,000 of them in war [2 Sam. 18:3 [show/hide]ERROR: You have exceeded your quota of 5000 requests per day. Please contact the developer of this application if you have questions. (If you're the developer and have questions about this error message, please contact Crossway.)
].

As to bodily appearance, in youth he is described as ruddy, of a beautiful countenance, and good to look at. [v 13].
He had the true qualities of a king, but compared to his grown up brothers he was not even counted important enough to be urged to attend the feast [v 7-11].
- Dake A.R. Bible: page 328