The Man God Has Chosen

Saul had been chosen by God to lead Israel, but because he didn’t fully trust God to do his part, he began to try to make the people do what he wanted.  The more controlling he became, the less concerned he was with what God commanded.  When God sent him to destroy the Amalekites, about twenty years into his reign, he did things his own way, ignoring God’s commands.  As a result, God rejected him from being king asnd Samuel ceased to advise him, in I Samuel 15:35.  “And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.”

God had known from the beginning what Saul would do, but because Samuel was hurt by Saul’s rejection, god regretted making him king, just as Jesus wept because Mary and Martha were hurt by Lazarus’ death in John 11.  God loves his people, and even though something has to be done, it grieves him to hurt them even momentarily.  Life doesn’t stop just because something didn’t work out, so after a period of time, perhaps even several years, god told Samuel to appoint a new king, in I Samuel 16:1.  “And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons.”

In I Samuel 11: 13-14, Saul had refused to allow those who didn’t want his as king to be killed because he recognized God was in control.  As he became more controlling, he became less tolerant of any opposition, as I Samuel 16:2a tells us.  “And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me.”  To maintain his power, he would even murder God’s prophet if he suspected him of opposing him.   

Samuel had established a pattern of offering sacrifices in various towns over the years, and God instructed him to hold one of the sacrifices in Bethlehem so that no suspicion would be raised, in I Samuel 16:2b-3.  “And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD.  And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee.”

The people of Bethlehem were aware of the conflict between Saul and Samuel and were concerned when Samuel came to the city.  Samuel reassured them that he had no intention of endangering them, proceeding as he normally did, but extending a special invitation to jesse and is family, in I Samuel 16:4-I6.  ”And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably?

And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice.”  When they came together for the sacrifice, Samuel was impressed by Jesse’s oldest son, in I Samuel 16:6-7.  “And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the Lord's anointed is before him.

But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”  As God pointed out, we humans tend to judge based on the outward show, while God is concerned with the heart attitude.  Our choices are often based on popularity and eloquence rather than on ability or ethical beliefs.  The people had liked Saul because he was handsome and taller than anyone else.   The same thing happened with each of the other brothers who were present.

Knowing God had told him to anoint one of Jesse’s sons, Samuel finally asked if he had another son, in I Samuel 16:11.   “And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children?  And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep.

And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.”  David had been left behind to keep the sheep because he was too young to take part in the men’s business, but Samuel could not do what he came for unless David was present, so they waited until he arrived, in I Samuel 16:12-13.  “And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to.

And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.

Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.”

As often happens, God had chosen the one others thought least qualified because they are looking at the outward show.  Based on their looks, their age, and their experience, any of the others seemed like they would be better prospects and no one had even considered David.  Unfortunately we see the same thing happen regularly in churches, and unfortunately many have no spiritually mature leaders like Samuel to encourage them to wait until their David comes along.