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.
Ver. 7. Because I have refused him.] Licet primogenitum, pulchrum, et procerum. All these are but as ciphers to God, which signify nothing without some figure set before.
For man looketh on the outward appearance.] He seeth but the surface of things - his knowledge is but skin-deep. The Antiochians chose Nectarius for their bishop - next after Nazianzen - for no other reason than this, that he was veneranda canitie, et vultu sacerdote digno, a goodly old man, and a comely person. So did the Constantinopolitans, Arsatius, next after Chrysostom. a
But the Lord looketh on the heart.] Cor camera Omnipotentis Regis.
a Baron., Annal. Antonin., tit. x. cap. 9.