Not as Man Seeth

The Story

God had rejected Saul as king of Israel. So He sent Samuel to Bethlehem, to the house of a man named Jesse. “I have provided me a king among his sons.”

Jesse brought his sons before Samuel one by one. First came Eliab, the oldest. He was tall and impressive. Samuel thought, “Surely the LORD’s anointed is before him.”

But God spoke. “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.”

Next came Abinadab. Not him. Then Shammah. Not him either. Seven sons passed before Samuel, and each time the answer was no.

Samuel asked, “Are here all thy children?”

Jesse said, “There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep.” His father hadn’t even thought to invite him.

Samuel said, “Send and fetch him.” And they brought in David, the shepherd boy.

The Lord said, “Arise, anoint him: for this is he.” Samuel poured the oil on David’s head, and the Spirit of the Lord came upon him from that day forward.

Reflection