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. He was ruddy ..., х 'admowniy (H132), red, red or auburn haired (Genesis 25:25); Septuagint, purrakees; Vulgate, rufus. Josephus, on the other hand ('Antiquities,' b. 6:, ch. 8: sec. 1), refers this expression to his tawny complexion, xanthos teen chroan].
Withal of a beautiful countenance, х yªpeeh (H3303) `eeynayim (H5869)] - bright or beautiful in his eyes. [The Septuagint has: meta kallous ofthalmoon, with beauty of eyes; while Josephus ('Antiquities,' b. 6:, ch. 8:, sec. 1) describes him as: gongos tas opseis, sharp, penetrating eyes.]
And goodly to look on, х wªTowb (H2896) ro'iy (H7210), and comely in person; Septuagint, agathon horasei kurioo, uncommonly graceful and well-proportioned]. It will be observed that although his physical qualities and external attractions are so minutely specified as engaging the notice and admiration of beholders, the circumstance of his being selected for the regal office implies that he possessed the right state and dispositions of mind (1 Samuel 16:7). Josephus says that David was ten years old, while most modern commentators are of opinion that he must have been fifteen years of age.
The Lord said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. This symbolical ceremony was performed only on the first of a royal dynasty (1 Samuel 10:1).