2 But Samuel said, “How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.”
The LORD said, “Take a heifer with you and say, ‘I have come to sacrifice to the LORD.’ 3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.”
4 Samuel did what the LORD said. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the elders of the town trembled when they met him. They asked, “Do you come in peace?”
5 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.
6 When they arrived, Samuel saw Eliab and thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed stands here before the LORD.”
7 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 human beings look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
8 Then Jesse called Abinadab and had him pass in front of Samuel. But Samuel said, “The LORD has not chosen this one either.” 9 Jesse then had Shammah pass by, but Samuel said, “Nor has the LORD chosen this one.” 10 Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but Samuel said to him, “The LORD has not chosen these.” 11 So he asked Jesse, “Are these all the sons you have?”
“There is still the youngest,” Jesse answered. “He is tending the sheep.”
Samuel said, “Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.”
12 So he sent and had him brought in. He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features.
Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.”
13 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 on David in power. Samuel then went to Ramah.
Questions to consider:
- What does God ask Samuel at the beginning of this passage?
- What does God want Samuel to do?
- Why is Samuel afraid to do that?
- Who does Samuel think that God has chosen as the new king?
- Who does God actually choose?
- What happens to David after the annointing?
Possibilities for prayer:
"The Lord does not look at the things human beings look at. People look at the outward appearance, but Lord looks at the heart."
My guess is that you've heard this very popular verse before. We, as people, are often so confused about the things that are truly important, and this verse is just another example of the way in which we mess that up. As God was looking for someone to rule over His people, His concern was not what that person would look like. The new king's height, weight, or even strength were not the biggest consideration for a great leader. God was seeking someone who would love and serve GOD, and be willing to follow God's direction. When God looks at us, my guess is that He's still seeking the same things. Instead of caring about hair or eye color, God is looking for a heart that is genuinely seeking after Him. Let's ask that God would give us hearts that would please Him, and that God would find the good things that He seeks within us.
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