Definition: And he sent, and brought him in. Now he [was] ruddy, [and] withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this [is] he.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Samuel 16:12. It's a really important passage about God’s care for King David! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, God is saying: “David is very handsome and well-presented – he looks amazing! And He wants to make sure he’s treated with the best possible care and attention.” Let's unpack it a little further: “And he sent, and brought him in” : This means that God actively chose David and brought him into a specific situation. It wasn’t just a random act; He had a plan for him. “Now he [was] ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance” : “Ruddy” means pink or reddish. So, this describes his skin tone – it's glowing with health and beauty. The word "withal" adds that it’s also good-looking. “And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he” : This is the crucial part. The Lord commanded someone to anoint (apply a special oil) to David. He said, “Now, do this!” The word "Arise" means to rise up – it’s a command to take action. Then, "anoint him" means to apply a special oil, likely as a sign of blessing and respect. So, the whole verse is saying: God wants to honor David with beauty, and He specifically instructs someone to give him a beautiful, healthy-looking complexion – he’s looking incredibly attractive! Why was this important? This is significant because it highlights God's love for David. It shows that God sees him as special and worthy of great attention and care. It sets the stage for his future role as king. --- Do you want to delve deeper into any part of this verse, or would you like me to explain something more specifically? For example, are you curious about: The symbolism of the oil in this context? What it means to be "anointed" in biblical terms?