What does it mean that God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7)?

from the old testament

• While selecting a king, the Lord told Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). Samuel had assumed that Eliab, David’s older brother, would be king (1 Samuel 16:6). However, God corrected that assumption. God’s priority was not physical strength or status, but inner character and divine calling.
• Instead of Eliab, the oldest and strongest son, God chose David (1 Samuel 16:12). While David appeared to be the least likely candidate in Samuel’s eyes, God knew David’s heart and chose Him.
• David would later remark, “O LORD, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.” (Psalm 139:1–2). David praised God’s intimate knowledge of his inner life. God doesn’t just see the heart—He understands it.
• Proverbs 21:2 says, “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart.” Human self-justification is common, but God sees past who we claim to be to our true motives.
• God knows everyone’s heart intimately. King Solomon prayed for God’s just evaluation of everyone, saying, “You, you only, know the hearts of all the children of mankind” (1 Kings 8:39b).
• God is not a passive observer, either. Instead, He looks at our hearts and judges us for what He finds: “I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds” (Jeremiah 17:10).
• God also looks for hearts that are righteous, like His. “For the eyes of the LORD roam throughout the earth, so that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His” (2 Chronicles 16:9 [NASB]). God knows and upholds those who are faithful in his or her heart.

from the new testament

• Paul recalls God’s description of David: “I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will” (Acts 13:22). This praise came, not because David was perfect, but because his heart was oriented toward God and responsive to His Word.
• In contrast to David, the Pharisees “were lovers of money…and they ridiculed [Jesus]” (Luke 16:14). In response, Jesus looked at them and said, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God” (Luke 16:15). He was saying that their appearance of holiness might fool some, but never God.
• As the Pharisees showed, even religious people can have sinful hearts (Matthew 15:8–9). Outward forms of worship are done in vain because God knows the person’s heart is not really worshiping Him. Outward signs of religiosity are meaningless if we are dead inside (Matthew 23:27–28)!
• God’s Word is “living and active” and “able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart,” leaving “no creature hidden from His sight” (Hebrews 4:12–13 [NASB]). It uncovers our deepest secrets and desires, exposing them to the light of God’s truth.

implications for today

God’s ability to see the heart is both a warning and an encouragement. It means we cannot hide behind good impressions or polished appearances. He sees through flattery, religious talk, and even acts of service done selfishly or in unbelief.

But this also means God is not limited by human standards. He delights in faith that no one else notices. He honors quiet obedience. He chooses the unlikely and uses the overlooked because He sees what others cannot.

This truth calls us to examine our hearts. What drives our actions? Are we motivated by love for God or by a desire for approval? Do we serve to be seen, or do we walk humbly before the One who sees all?

It also calls us to trust God’s evaluations over our own. We may think we are doing well—or poorly—but God’s view is the one that matters. His standard is purity of heart, not perfection of performance.

Most of all, this reminds us of our need for grace. None of us has a perfect heart. But God, who sees our sin more clearly than we do, also offers mercy through Christ. He not only looks at the heart—He can renew it. A broken and contrite heart He will not despise (Psalm 51:17).