Read 1 Samuel 16:1-13
16 The Lord
said to Samuel, “How long will you go on grieving over Saul? I have rejected
him as king of Israel. But now get some olive oil and go to Bethlehem, to a man
named Jesse, because I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”
2 “How
can I do that?” Samuel asked. “If Saul hears about it, he will kill me!”
The Lord answered, “Take a calf with you and
say that you are there to offer a sacrifice to the Lord. 3Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will
tell you what to do. You will anoint as king the man I tell you to.”
4 Samuel
did what the Lord told him to do
and went to Bethlehem, where the city leaders came trembling to meet him and
asked, “Is this a peaceful visit, seer?”
5 “Yes,”
he answered. “I have come to offer a sacrifice to the Lord. Purify yourselves and come with me.” He also told
Jesse and his sons to purify themselves, and he invited them to the sacrifice.
6 When
they arrived, Samuel saw Jesse’s son Eliab and said to himself, “This man
standing here in the Lord’s
presence is surely the one he has chosen.” 7But the Lord said to him, “Pay no attention to
how tall and handsome he is. I have rejected him, because I do not judge as
people judge. They look at the outward appearance, but I look at the heart.”
8 Then
Jesse called his son Abinadab and brought him to Samuel. But Samuel said, “No,
the Lord hasn’t chosen him
either.” 9Jesse then brought Shammah. “No, the Lord hasn’t chosen him either,” Samuel
said. 10In this way Jesse brought seven of his sons to Samuel. And
Samuel said to him, “No, the Lord
hasn’t chosen any of these.” 11Then he asked him, “Have you any more
sons?”
Jesse
answered, “There is still the youngest, but he is out taking care of the
sheep.”
“Tell him
to come here,” Samuel said. “We won’t offer the sacrifice until he comes.” 12So
Jesse sent for him. He was a handsome, healthy young man, and his eyes
sparkled. The Lord said to Samuel,
“This is the one—anoint him!” 13Samuel took the olive oil and
anointed David in front of his brothers. Immediately the spirit of the Lord took control of David and was with
him from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah.
Think
The prophet Samuel identifies
David as the rightful King; having originally thought that Eliab would be the
one. I love the reminder in verse 7;
“The Lord looks at the heart.”
Pray
Lord, I’m not sure how
comfortable I am with the fact that you see my heart. But I thank you that I can be honest with you
– and that you love me just like this.
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