1 Samuel 16: 1-13
The Lord said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill you horn with oil and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.”
But Samuel said, “How can I go? Saul will hear about it and kill me.”
The Lord said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’ Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.”
Samuel did what the Lord said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they meet him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?”
Samuel replied, “Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.” Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.
When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands before the Lord.”
But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
Then Jesse called Abinadad and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen him either.” Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the Lord chosen this one.” Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The Lord has not chosen these.” So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”
“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered, “but he is tending the sheep.”
Samuel said,”Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”
So he went and had him brought in. He was ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features.
Then the Lord said, “Rise and anoint him; he is the one.”
So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on, the Spirit of the Lord came upon David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah.
A Thought
The people of Israel had been ruled by God. While they obeyed God, he lead them in victory over their enemies. Isreal told God they wanted a king like all the other nations. God had Samuel anoint Saul to be their first king and gave him instructions to always wait on God in obedience and then God would protect them. Now God is sending Samuel to anoint one of Jesse’s sons to replace Saul as king because of his disobedience. God told Samuel not to look at the outward appearance, but that God will look at a man’s heart to choose. God lead Samuel to anoint Jesse’s youngest son, David, with oil in the presence of his brothers. From that day on, the Spirit of the Lord came upon David with power. When we trust and obey God he will give us power to accomplish his work within us.
Our Prayer
Father we desire to trust and obey your word. Help us to be more concerned about the things in our heart than about our outward appearance. Anoint us with the power of your Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth. We ask in Jesus’ name, amen.
