Just a Whisper

Eliab, the eldest, was privately presented first to Samuel, probably none being present but Jesse only, and Samuel thought he must be the man. Surely this is the Lord's anointed. The prophets themselves, when they spoke from under the divine direction, were as liable to mistake as other men: as Nathan. 2 Samuel 7:3

But God rectified the prophet's mistake by a secret whisper to his mind: Look not on his countenance. 2 Samuel 7:7

The Lord looks on the heart, that is He knows it. We can tell how men look, but He can tell what they are. Man looks on the eyes and is pleased with the liveliness and sprightliness that appear in them: but God looks on the heart, and sees the thoughts and intents of that.

He judges of men by it. The good disposition of the heart, the holiness, or goodness of that, recommends us to God, and is in His sight of great price (1 Peter 3:4), not the majesty of the look, or the strength and stature of the body. Let us reckon that to be true beauty which is within, and judge of men, as far as we are capable, by their minds, not their mien (appearance). (Matthew Henry)

Samuel arrived at the house of Jesse to anoint the new king. Jesse brought his eldest son and Samuel was positive he was the one. He was wrong, the new king was out in the fields watching sheep, Jesse's youngest son.

God spoke by a secret whisper to his mind--I love this verse. We can have total confidence that God has our back. He wasn't going to let Samuel make a mistake, He was there, guiding him. In order to hear the whisper, Samuel had a relationship with God, his heart was in the right place.