The selection of a true leader requires looking past superficial appearances to find deep character and proper preparation. Calling the youngest son directly from the pastures was no accident. God tests His chosen leaders by having them tend sheep, just as He did with Moses and Jacob, preparing them to shepherd a nation. Only once the young shepherd arrived could everyone finally sit down to partake in the sacrificial meal, mirroring the way Saul was anointed just before a feast [אברבנאל].
The young man possessed a reddish complexion, striking eyes, and an overall handsome appearance [רד״ק, מצודת ציון, שטיינזלץ]. While the primary approach among commentators is that this external beauty reflected his worthiness to rule, [מלבי״ם] reveals a more complex internal struggle. The reddish coloring hinted at a fiery temperament and a natural inclination toward bloodshed, much like Esau. This realization struck fear into Samuel's heart. However, God reassured the prophet by drawing attention to the youth's beautiful eyes and pleasant features, which revealed a sharp intellect and a balanced mind. Unlike Esau, who acted on impulsive urges, this future king would learn to master his aggressive nature. He would channel his fierceness solely for God's battles and the pursuit of justice, acting strictly in accordance with the law and the rulings of the Sanhedrin.
A sudden, urgent command directed Samuel to rise [רד״ק, מצודת ציון]. This instruction carried a subtle rebuke, with God asking how the prophet could remain seated while His anointed one stood. Samuel was told to stand up in honor of the chosen king [רד״ק, אברבנאל, חומת אנך]. From this moment, a lasting rule was established that the commandment of anointing a king with holy oil must always be performed while standing [חומת אנך].
The final divine confirmation sealed the decision, making it clear that this was indeed the true choice, directly countering Samuel's earlier assumptions about the older brothers [מצודת דוד, רד״ק, שטיינזלץ]. This was the leader destined to permanently inherit the throne [אברבנאל], favored by God both in this world and the next [מלבי״ם]. Furthermore, this specific declaration established a permanent historical and legal standard. It signaled that only the kings of the Davidic dynasty would be anointed with the original holy oil crafted by Moses in the wilderness. In contrast, future kings from the northern kingdom of Israel would only be anointed during times of dispute over the throne, and even then, they would be anointed with regular persimmon oil rather than the sacred oil [רד״ק, אברבנאל].