October 2, 2015
1 Samuel 16-Part 2
"There is still the youngest," Jesse answered, "but he is tending the sheep."
1 Samuel 16:11b NIV
LET IT GLOW
Last year, our Christian radio station ran a contest for giving away a free ticket to see one of my favorite authors speaking only 20 miles away from my house. I had almost all of her books. Our ladies Bible study group studies her books, too. All that was required was to be a certain number of caller that day when they mentioned it on the air. I tried calling once, with no results. Then the next time they announced it, I tried again. I dialed in the station's number, then hitting send when it was time. Awh! I won. I was so astounded that I could barely say thanks to the D.J. I did a happy dance right there in my house! What started out as just an ordinary day became extraordinary for me!
So I ordered two extra tickets and took two of my friends with me. We got to sit in the audience and listen to Lysa TerKeurst speak. Her book The Best Yes was on the top sellers list for a while. I was so blessed that I wanted to share it with friends. (I even gave Lysa a small gift while she was rushing down the hall to leave.)
What about David, when he was anointed king of Israel?
It was just an ordinary day like any other. David was out in the field taking care of his father's sheep. That was his job-shepherd of the sheep, tasking care of them. Little did he know that his life was about to change. David, the youngest of the smallest tribe of Israel, Benjamin, was going to be anointed the next king of Israel. He was destined to be on the throne, yet he did not have an inkling.
Meanwhile, back home, David's father Jesse, grandson of Boaz and Ruth, brought his 7 brothers to appear before the Prophet Samuel. What an honor to have Samuel there in the region, let alone talking to one's family. (Kind of like the Pope visiting U.S., but I'm not one of his followers.) Although David did not know any of this was happening.
Samuel was looking at the appearance of those 7 young men. Was he looking for a tall one like Saul? Did he want the next king to be dark and handsome? What was Samuel looking for in a king? Evidently Samuel was looking with the wrong things in mind. The Lord set him straight.
Look at the instructions: 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.
Samuel needed to be reminded that God's anointed was not chosen because of physical attributes. The Hebrew concept of heart embodies emotions, will, intellect, and desires. The life of the person will reflect his heart (Matt.12:34, 35)
God's favor/choice often fell on the younger and the least, such as Jacob, Joseph, and Gideon. Although David was the youngest, he was considered the first-born over Israel (Ps. 89:27). His humble beginnings was a shepherd, then later to rule as a king. It typified Jesus, the ultimate Shepherd and King of Israel. (MacArthur)
In John 10, Jesus identifies Himself as the Good Shepherd that:
- gives His life for the sheep,
- knows His sheep, is known by His sheep,
- lays down His life for the sheep,
- is known by His sheep.
David was evidently not as handsome as Saul, less impressive by human standards, and even less than his brothers. However, David had a heart as big as his kingdom.
It would be good for us to remember that appearance doesn't reveal what people are really like or what their true value is. Only God and you can know what your heart really looks like.
God already had David destined as Israel's next king, though it took a while for Samuel, David, and others to know the heart of God.
LET IT GROW
Obviously there was favoritism going on in Jesse's family. He didn't even bring David home when he gathered up his brothers as Samuel requested. (opposite of Joseph's situation)
"Are these all the children?" Samuel asked Jesse. Did you deduct that Dad wasn't going to bring teenager David to the meeting? Samuel had to demand that he be brought in. In fact, they were not going to sit down until he arrived. I wonder what thoughts were going through Samuel during that wait. Did he have it figured out by the time David got there, that David was the one? No time for interviews or reading of resumes, not needed. The boss chose him and that was that.
"Hey, David, they want you back at the house." I hope he didn't dilly dally around and hurried home. Everyone was waiting on the king to enter. (thought David didn't know it)
Can you see him, ruddy, with a fine appearance and handsome features, running through the fields, hair waving in the wind? (verse 12)
Ruddy means reddish (of the hair or complexion).
Then the Lord told Samuel, Rise and anoint him; he is the one.
Here enters a redheaded teenaged boy, smelling like sheep, dressed humbly in shepherd's clothing, perhaps needing a shave and a hair cut.
Samuel didn't ask if God was sure. Samuel obeyed immediately. Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed David in the presence of his brothers. From that day on the Spirit of the LORD came upon David in power.
Wow! What a coronation. No television coverage, no cameras flashing, no cell phone snaps. Not even a picture of David and Samuel or David with his family on "his day."
Did the aged Samuel whisper in the ear of the young David, "You will be the next king?"
What did David do? Build a castle to live in, set up an office, try on crown at the nearest department store, have business cards printed up, typed a badge saying King of Israel? Not. There wasn't even a shining new chariot awaiting him. He went back to tending sheep. We read it in 17:14-15.
Today, the most surprising moment, the most magnificent things could happen in our life. How will we react? With an attitude of "it's about time!" or a humbly "me?"
Swindoll says, "God's promotions are usually sudden and surprising, so be ready."
He knows where we are and how to find us. Are we ready to carry out the job He has for us?
What have I learned from this?
- God can take the ordinary and change it into His extraordinary.
- He can change a nobody into a somebody.
- God looks inwardly into the heart, not outwardly at the appearance.
Keep serving God faithfully where I am, doing what I know He wants me to do.
Wait on the Lord to change my direction.
Remember I am a somebody with Jesus.
Don't judge others by their appearance.
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