1 Samuel 16:1-13
16:1 The LORD said to Samuel, "How long will you grieve over Saul? I have rejected
him from being king over Israel. Fill your horn with oil and set out; I will send you to
Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons."
16:2 Samuel said, "How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me." And
the LORD said, "Take a heifer with you, and say, 'I have come to sacrifice to the
LORD.'
16:3 Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what you shall do; and you
shall anoint for me the one whom I name to you."
16:4 Samuel did what the LORD commanded, and came to Bethlehem. The elders of the city
came to meet him trembling, and said, "Do you come peaceably?"
16:5 He said, "Peaceably; I have come to sacrifice to the LORD; sanctify
yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice." And he sanctified Jesse and his sons
and invited them to the sacrifice.
16:6 When they came, he looked on Eliab and thought, "Surely the Lord's anointed
is now before the LORD."
16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height
of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the LORD does not see as mortals see;
they look on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart."
16:8 Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. He said,
"Neither has the LORD chosen this one."
16:9 Then Jesse made Shammah pass by. And he said, "Neither has the LORD chosen
this one."
16:10 Jesse made seven of his sons pass before Samuel, and Samuel said to Jesse,
"The LORD has not chosen any of these."
16:11 Samuel said to Jesse, "Are all your sons here?" And he said,
"There remains yet the youngest, but he is keeping the sheep." And Samuel said
to Jesse, "Send and bring him; for we will not sit down until he comes here."
16:12 He sent and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and had beautiful eyes, and was
handsome. The LORD said, "Rise and anoint him; for this is the one."
16:13 Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the presence of his
brothers; and the spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward.
Samuel then set out and went to Ramah.
"God's Unlike Choice." I am constantly amazed at the individuals God chooses
to lead his people (myself in particular). Recently, I have been greatly moved by the
death of a fellow clergy person. Gary was an unlikely candidate to champion God's word and
work. Small in stature and voice and confined to a wheel chair, Gary lived among God's
people, witnessed to young men who had drifted from the church, and led one of his
congregations into hearing and doing God's work. Sadly, one of his churches could not
overcome Gary's image. However, his death may have an even greater impact upon that
reluctant church as hearts were softened. Ironically, I have just received information on
Disability Awareness Sunday. I think I will endeavor to tie this all together.
According to Tucker (Preaching through the Christian Year), Joseph was the youngest son
of Jesse, who was a member of the smallest tribe of Israel. In fact, notes Tucker, David
wasn't even allowed at the feast in which the animal was sacrificed.
I'm still mulling the fact that I'm preaching to Girl Scouts -- as well as to folks who
probably don't think highly of their own abilities to work in solidarity with God. Perhaps
for illustration purposes, a good analogy is the Cinderella story. She was the
step-sister, the least likely person to have been to the ball with the prince. "King
Cinderella"? MTSOFan
Just a few comments on the text. The Lord doesn't look upon the outward appearance but
what are we told about the one God has chosen? "Now he was ruddy, and had beautiful
eyes, and was handsome." Sounds like the writer of Samuel didn't get it. Either that
or perhaps he's communicating in a way that everyone would understand. This reminds me of
the folks who say personality comes first but want us to send a photo.
I also thought Samuel's response was interesting. The Spirit comes on David in a mighty
way and then Samuel leaves for Ramah. No sense hanging around, I've done my part...it's up
to the Spirit and David now.
John near Pitts.
Movies are a good example of what this story is all about. Hispanics in Hollywood are
portrayed as gardeners, maids, drug producers. Blacks like drug consumers and welfare
recipients. But in the escenario Whites are the saviors of the world (some others are
angels) Unfortunately that's the way we are looking the world. Are we looking with the
eyes of God or with the eyes of Hollywood? (flesh). Do you know a Hispanic? - say Hello
with your heart Are you closer to an African American? tell him/her brother/sister. We
must look with the eyes of God.
God sees good things in us that we have missed. (God looks on the heart...)
to John in Pitts - I always had the same question: Why do they mention that David was
handsome, if God doesn't look on the outward appearance? I always made sense of it this
way... people weren't impressed with beauty in a king. They were impressed with strength,
height, ability to wield a sword etc. And eyes... you can see a person's soul through
their eyes. But maybe this is just justification of a contradiction that can't be
resolved?
DGinNYC
I think a good title for this text might be, "Executive Decision".
God tells Samuel that Saul is history, to go to Jesse in Bethlehem. God says, "I
have provided for myself, a king." Not, "I have provided for the people a
king."
Samuel tells God that Saul might not take the news very well and might be a bit on the
homicidal side if he finds out. Samuel is worried for his life. God says, "Go!"
Samuel obeys.
It's tough sometimes doing the Lord's work. (I'm still hoping that I don't end up in
some strange country eating food that would gag a maggot...wait, maybe that was my
"Survivor" nightmare).
It's tough not being in charge.
John near Pitts.
16:2 Samuel said, "How can I go? If Saul hears of it, he will kill me."
I'm going in a similar direction to John near Pitts - my title is "Doing Right
Anyhow" - that we have to stand up for what we are to stand up for, even though it
may not be popular with others or with authority.
Yesterday I took one of our foster kids to see Harry Potter in French - I'd already
seen it with my own kids in English. I know there has been much debate on it, but Harry
did try to figure out what he should do in a way that was not just toeing the line. And
then there was his friend who tried to stop Harry and the other two - he got credit in the
end for standing up to his friends, an act, the movie says, takes more courage than
standing up to your enemies. (I'm not exactly sure of the line - I was falling asleep....)
peace
kent in QC
