Devotional Thoughts about 1 Samuel Chapter 16
Although we know that a person’s appearance doesn’t necessarily reflect who he really is inside, we still tend to give lots of weight to outward impressions. We’re drawn to good-looking children and tolerate more sass from them than from unattractive kids. We’re inclined to like sharp-looking, well-spoken political candidates and may actually vote for them, even if they don’t represent our convictions.
Samuel was also impressed by Jesse’s fine-looking brood of sons. He was convinced that Eliab, the oldest, was the ideal choice for the next king. Surely the widespread practice of primogeniture (the firstborn inheriting the estate or title) influenced his opinion.
But God let him know that His view is very different from our human perception, because He has access to a person's inside, his heart. We actually see throughout the Bible that God has often chosen the younger or the more unlikely one for His promises or tasks. (See Genesis 25:23; 48:17-19.)
When Samuel had gone through the whole group of brothers without God’s indication of approval, he asked if there were any more sons. Sure enough, the youngest had been so unlikely that he hadn’t even been invited to the anointing! The whole event was delayed as David was fetched. God gave His approval, and Samuel anointed him in front of his older brothers. David actually had appealing outward qualities, too (16:12,18), but they paled in comparison to the fact that God was with him.
Lord, help me remember that only You have the whole story on anybody. Help me to concentrate on my own relationship to You.
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