Samuel Goes to Bethlehem

I Samuel 16:1–13
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God had rejected Saul because he was self-centered and refused to obey Him. Now He has already made His choice of a new king to replace Saul and asks Samuel to go to Bethlehem to meet and anoint this chosen one (v. 1). However, Samuel had to do this in secret because, if Saul had known about it, his life would have been in jeopardy (v. 2). God tells Samuel exactly what to do but he does not give him any advance information. So Samuel goes to Bethlehem to the house of Jesse and asks he and his sons to come for a sacrifice (v. 3). The elders were apprehensive about Samuel coming to their town because of his estrangement with the king (v. 4). Samuel took great care in the sanctification of Jesse’s family (v. 5).

Since Saul was a tall, handsome and impressive-looking man, Samuel was looking for someone that looked like him (v. 6). However, God warned him that the outward appearance was not to be considered at all in making the choice (v.7). God judges by faith and character and not by appearance. Because He is the only one who can see the inside of a person, He is the only one who can accurately judge people. You and I demonstrate whether or not we are children of the Lord Jesus Christ by our love for Him. It is not what we say in testimony; it is whether on not we are obeying Him. The Christian life is one of reality. It is not a life of “put on” and pretense.

After the seven older sons of Jesse were disqualified one by one (vv. 8-10) as they passed by Samuel, David was singled out by the Lord and anointed by Samuel (vv. 11-13). Jesse certainly would not have chosen him. In fact, he had ignored him entirely. David was only a boy. It is believed that he was abought sixteen. This was the supernatural authentication of God’s will. The anointing, as in the experience of Saul, was accompanied by the coming of the Spirit of God mightily on the young lad (v. 13). David was anointed king in a secret ceremony and was not publically anointed until much later (II Samuel 2:4-5:3). Saul was still legally the king, but God was preparing David for his future responsibilities. Until his death, Saul is respected by David as the Lord’s anointed.

Application

Many people spend hours each week working on their outward appearance when they should be spending more time developing the inner character. What steps do I need to take to improve my heart’s attitude about what others may or may not think about me?