Samuel to the rescue
The town's rulers were alarmed at his coming, for they feared that he had come to judge the people for some evil doing. But Samuel said:
"I have come in peace to make an offering and to hold a feast to the Lord. Prepare yourselves and come to the sacrifice."
And he invited Jesse and his sons to the service. When they came, he looked at the sons of Jesse very closely. The oldest was named Eliab, and he was so tall and noble-looking that Samuel thought:
"Surely this young man must be the one whom God has chosen."
But the Lord said to Samuel:
"Do not look on his face, nor on the height of his body, for I have not chosen him. Man judges by the outward looks, but God looks at the heart."
Then Jesse's second son, named Abinadab, passed by. And the Lord said: "I have not chosen this one." Seven young men came and Samuel said:
"None of these is the man whom God has chosen. Are these all your children?"
"There is one more," said Jesse. "The youngest of all. He is a boy, in the field caring for the sheep."
And Samuel said:
"Send for him; for we will not sit down until he comes." So after a time the youngest son was brought in. His name was David, a word that means "darling," and he was a beautiful boy, perhaps fifteen years old, with fresh cheeks and bright eyes.
As soon as the young David came, the Lord said to Samuel:
"Arise, anoint him, for this is the one whom I have chosen."
Then Samuel poured oil on David's head, in the presence of all his brothers. But no one knew the anointing meant that David was to be the king at that time. Perhaps they thought that David was chosen to be a prophet like Samuel.
From that time, the Spirit of God came upon David, and he began to show signs of coming greatness. He returned to his sheep on the hillsides around Bethlehem, but God was with him.
What effect did this have on David? Did he become proud? Did he dress in royal robes? Not at all! He went back to his sheep. But a heavenly spirit surrounded him. His prayers, his Psalms, and his music, full of this Divine Spirit, traveled and spread across the hills of Judah, and whoever heard them felt as if a new soul had awakened in him. The sad person was filled with joy; the downcast felt his heart revive; he who had lost hope regained his faith, and all exclaimed: "Listen! It is David, the son of Jesse, who is singing!"
The lessons from my Mentor
- God does not lie
This lesson is not apparent because the promise of God has just been spoken over David's life. However, I would like to point out that it will be many years before he is called King David.
2. David's heart, in contrast to Saul's heart
Once Saul was selected as Israel's first king, like David, he returned to doing what he had done. The difference is that Saul's heart began to be lifted in pride. David continued doing what he had always done. This time, however, there was a difference; an anointing was present that had not been there. This is represented in the story by people in various stages of sadness or pain who found comfort and hope when David sang out his psalms while watching the sheep.
3. The presence of God—the Holy Spirit—is key
David had to be aware of the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit when he sang. This inspired David rather than filling him with pride. This was a heart that could be used to fulfill the will of the Lord.
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