*1 Samuel 16:1-13
Following God’s instructions, Samuel secretly anoints the young shepherd David as the future king of Israel.
- God’s Rejection of Saul:
- The Lord instructs Samuel to stop mourning over Saul’s failed kingship and to go to Bethlehem, for He has chosen one of Jesse’s sons to be the next king.
- Samuel is concerned about Saul’s reaction, fearing that he will kill him if he finds out about his mission, but the Lord assures him that He will provide a cover story.
- Jesse’s Sons Presented before Samuel:
- Samuel arrives at Bethlehem and invites Jesse and his sons to a sacrifice.
- When Jesse’s eldest son, Eliab, comes before Samuel, he assumes that Eliab is the one chosen by the Lord due to his impressive appearance, but the Lord corrects him, saying that He does not look at outward appearances but at the heart.
- David Anointed as King:
- Samuel asks Jesse if he has any more sons, and Jesse reveals that his youngest son, David, is tending the sheep.
- Samuel sends for David, and when he arrives, the Lord tells Samuel to anoint him as the future king of Israel.
- Samuel anoints David with oil in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the Lord comes upon David from that day forward.
1 Samuel 16:1-13 teaches us that God sees beyond what people see. When Samuel was sent to anoint the next king, he expected someone strong and impressive, but God chose David, a young shepherd. This reminds us that our worth isn’t based on outward appearance, status, or what others think of us. God looks at our hearts. Instead of worrying about how we measure up to others, we should focus on developing good character, trusting that God has a purpose for us, even when others may overlook us.
1 Samuel 16:1-13 (WEB)
16:1 The LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided a king for myself among his sons.”2 Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears it, he will kill me.”The LORD said, “Take a heifer with you, and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ 3 Call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do. You shall anoint to me him whom I name to you.”4 Samuel did that which the LORD spoke, and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city came to meet him trembling, and said, “Do you come peaceably?”5 He said, “Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD. Sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice.” He sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice. 6 When they had come, he looked at Eliab, and said, “Surely the LORD’s anointed is before him.”7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Don’t look on his face, or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for I don’t see as man sees. For man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”8 Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. He said, “The LORD has not chosen this one, either.” 9 Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. He said, “The LORD has not chosen this one, either.” 10 Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. Samuel said to Jesse, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11 Samuel said to Jesse, “Are all your children here?”He said, “There remains yet the youngest. Behold, he is keeping the sheep.”Samuel said to Jesse, “Send and get him, for we will not sit down until he comes here.”12 He sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, with a handsome face and good appearance. The LORD said, “Arise! Anoint him, for this is he.”13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the middle of his brothers. Then the LORD’s Spirit came mightily on David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up and went to Ramah.