1 Samuel 16:1-13
“Now the LORD said to Samuel, ‘How long will you grieve over Saul, since I have rejected him from being king over Israel?…’” (1) Often our attachment to what God did can hinder us from seeing what God is doing. Also, Samuel feared Saul would kill him if he anointed another king. So God told Samuel to do this in the context of a worship offering. After calling the elders to consecrate themselves, Samuel consecrated Jesse’s family for the sacrifice. Samuel was struck by the oldest son Eliab and thought, “…’Surely the LORD’s anointed is before Him.’” (6b). However, God is focused on the heart and so rejected him. In fact, he rejected all Jesse’s sons in attendance. After inquiring, he finds out his youngest son was tending sheep. The one unlikely to be chosen was the one God chose. Samuel anointed David in the midst of his brothers: “…the Spirit of the LORD came mightily upon David from that day forward…” (13b). Let’s not miss what God is doing or who God is choosing by being attached to the past, fear of the present or judging by outward appearances.
