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.
Samuel's eye was caught by Eliab's countenance and he rushed to judgment, much as he had done with Saul; but God whispered a correction: look not on the outside. Men judge by what shows, God by what is; the heart is the measure He uses, and therein lies true beauty and fitness for His service.
AI summary
Commenting on 1 Samuel 16:6-13
But the Lord said to Samuel,.... By a secret impulse upon his mind, as if he had spoken with an articulate voice to him: look not on his countenance; which was comely and majestic: or on the height of his stature; which was like that of Saul's; and because the Lord had chosen him, who was superior to the people in this respect, Samuel thought...
Man looketh on the outward appearance - And it is well he should, and confine his looks to that; for when he pretends to sound the heart, he usurps the prerogative of God. In what way were these communications made from God to Samuel? It must have been by direct inspirations into his heart. But what a state of holy familiarity does this argue between God and the prophet!