Tuesday
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
Samuel chooses a King of Israel. He
is about to choose the most handsome one he finds - but God reminds him: God sees hearts, not outward
appearances. Guided by God Samuel
anoints David.
Pray
Lord I don't always know the plans you have for me - sometimes I make rash
decisions. Today help me to be guided by
you in the decisions I make.
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