In this chapter, God reveals to Samuel who the next king of Israel will be. The chapter begins, “Finally, the Lord said to Samuel, “You have mourned long enough for Saul. I have rejected him as king of Israel. Now fill your horn with olive oil and go to Bethlehem. Find a man named Jesse who lives there, for I have selected one of his sons to be my new king. But Samuel asked, “How can I do that? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.”
“Take a heifer with you,” the Lord replied, “and say that you have come to make a sacrifice to the Lord. Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you which of his sons to anoint for me.” So Samuel did as the Lord instructed him. When he arrived at Bethlehem, the leaders of the town became afraid. “What’s wrong?” they asked. “Do you come in peace?” “Yes,” Samuel replied. “I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Purify yourselves and come with me to the sacrifice.” Then Samuel performed the purification rite for Jesse and his sons and invited them, too. When they arrived, Samuel took one look at Eliab and thought, “Surely this is the Lord’s anointed!” But the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t make decisions the way you do! People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at a person’s thoughts and intentions.”
(1 Samuel 16:1-7)
At this point, Jessed asked each of his sons to step forward, and each time, Samuel said, “This is not the one the Lord has chosen.” After the last one, Samuel asked, “Are these all the sons you have?” “There is still the youngest,” Jesse replied. ‘But he’s out in the fields watching the sheep.” “Send for him at once,” Samuel said. “We will not sit down to eat until he arrives.”
So Jesse sent for him. He was ruddy and handsome, with pleasant eyes. And the Lord said, “This is the one; anoint him.” So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the olive oil he had brought and poured it on David’s head. And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him from that day on. Then Samuel returned to Ramah.
Now the Spirit of the Lord had left Saul, and the Lord sent a tormenting spirit that filled him with depression and fear. Some of Saul’s servants suggested a remedy. “It is clear that a spirit from God is tormenting you,” they said. “Let us find a good musician to play the harp for you whenever the tormenting spirit is bothering you. The harp music will quiet you, and you will soon be well again.” “All right,” Saul said. “Find me someone who plays well and bring him here.”
One of the servants said to Saul, “The son of Jesse is a talented harp player. Not only that; he is brave and strong and has good judgment. He is also a fine-looking young man, and the Lord is with him.” (1 Samuel 16:11-18)
Question: Is God ordering steps again?
Saul then sent messengers to Jesse requesting his son David, the shepherd. Jesse obliged and Saul liked David so much he asked Jesse to allow David to join his staff. David played the harp for Saul whenever he felt tormented by spirits, and the spirits would go away.
Lord, thank you for your Word today! Help us have the best thoughts and intentions that we may continually win your favor. Fill us with your spirit so we are covered with your peace. We love you!
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
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