Author's Note: All previous volumes of this series are here. The first 56 volumes are compiled into the book "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible." "Part Two," featuring volumes 57-113, was published in December.
Thanks for joining our study. Today we review Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) verses from 1 Samuel. These selected passages tell a captivating story about how young David was chosen to be king. In addition, there are modern life applications and a foreshadowing of Jesus approximately 1,000 years before His birth. For anyone who has been underestimated, cast aside, and then thrived, you will relate.
But first, let’s review the prophet Samuel, a central player in this story. First, read Samuel’s birth story – a divine intervention covered in Vol. 101: “Lessons From the Story of Hannah and Samuel.” And then, Vol. 106, when God called Samuel into service.
Samuel was a priest, judge, and prophet God used to anoint Saul as Israel’s first king and then David as Saul’s successor. The story of Samuel, Saul, and David are intertwined and chronicled in the Old Testament books of 1 and 2 Samuel. I shall quote and paraphrase 1 Samuel 16: 1-13.
God informs Samuel that King Saul has lost His favor and sends Samuel on a mission:
“How long will you mourn for Saul, since I have rejected him as king over Israel? Fill your horn with oil [anointing oil for the new king] and be on your way; I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem. I have chosen one of his sons to be king.” (Double meaning referencing Jesus.)
Samuel questions God about this dangerous mission:
“Samuel said, ‘How can I go? If Saul hears about it, he will kill me.’ The Lord said, ‘Take a heifer with you and say, “I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’’ ‘Invite Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will show you what to do. You are to anoint for me the one I indicate.’ ”
Samuel is a VIP close to King Saul; therefore, his Bethlehem visit made the town elders “tremble,” and they asked:
“ ‘Do you come in peace?’ Samuel replied, ‘Yes, in peace; I have come to sacrifice to the Lord. Consecrate yourselves and come to the sacrifice with me.’ Then he consecrated Jesse and his sons and invited them to the sacrifice.” God’s plan was unfolding.
Jesse had seven sons who looked like they were sent from central casting to audition for the role of king — but unaware of the circumstances. Samuel sees Eliab, the oldest, and thinks, “Surely the Lord’s anointed stands here before the Lord.” But God taught Samuel a lesson concerning Eliab — applicable to us — about how we judge people. God told Samuel:
“ ‘Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’ ”
As Jesse’s seven sons were paraded “in front of Samuel,” the prophet repeated, “ ‘The Lord has not chosen this one either.’ ”
Samuel was confounded since God had said one of Jesse’s sons would be king. So Samuel asks Jesse: “ ‘Are these all the sons you have?’ ‘There is still the youngest,’ Jesse answered. ‘He is tending the sheep.’ Samuel said, ‘Send for him; we will not sit down until he arrives.’ ”
Note that Jesse’s youngest son is a shepherd — symbolic since shepherds lead flocks, and ultimately, David’s mission from God was to lead Israel. Also, recall the opening phrase of David’s famous Psalm 23, “The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want..” For extra credit, read “The Meaning of Shepherd” in Vol. 72.
The Jesus/shepherd connection developed over 1,000 years later when Jesus’s earthly and symbolic mission was to lead His flock — the people of Israel. In Matthew 15:24, Jesus said, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." And, after Jesus was resurrected but before His ascension, He told Peter to “feed my sheep.”
Now, back to Jesse, who is asked by Samuel to send for his last son. Jesse thought the boy was so inconsequential that he did not initially bring him along with his seven brothers. But, when David is showcased before Samuel:
“He was glowing with health and had a fine appearance and handsome features. Then the Lord said, ‘Rise and anoint him; this is the one.’ So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David.”
Like Jesus, David was born in Bethlehem, and Jesus descended from David’s line. (See Matthew 1: 1-17). Moreover, in the time of Jesus, the Jewish authorities did not believe that Jesus fit their image of the forthcoming Messiah. Those rabbis, similar to Samuel, were deceived by appearance but from the opposite perspective.
Jesus, an itinerant preacher from backwater Nazareth, conversed and dined with the dregs of society. He was rejected and crucified after His people turned Him over to the Romans. I repeat what God told Samuel to say after initially ordering him to Bethlehem:
“I have come to sacrifice to the Lord.’’ Believers know that Jesus was sacrificed for our sins, rose from the dead, and is our King of Kings and Lord of Lords forever and ever.
Young David, initially rejected by his father for consecration before Samuel, but “with the Spirit of the Lord upon him,” grew into an obedient man of God, Psalm writer, and military leader who loved the Lord and repented when he sinned. As a result, David became Israel’s greatest king. After Moses, David is the most influential character in the Old Testament.
Understand that Samuel’s anointing of David was not spoken aloud. Samuel never said, “I anoint you, king,” — since Saul was still king. Only God and Samuel knew, “this is the one,” when “the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David.”
Decades later, after much drama, David assumed the throne: “David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years” (2 Samuel 5:4).
Today we learn to heed God’s warning to not judge people by their appearance:
“ ‘The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart’ ” (1 Samuel 16:7).
We have all been guilty of judging by appearance because it is quick and easy to make assumptions, then think and act accordingly. But now, let’s go and sin no more.
Myra Kahn Adams is a conservative political and religious writer with numerous national credits. Her book, "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible," reprints the first 56 volumes of this popular study. "Part 2,” with the same title, reprints Vols. 57-113. Order it here.
Myra is also the Executive Director of SignFromGod.org and National Shroud of Turin Exhibit. Both are donor-supported ministries dedicated to Shroud of Turin education. Shroud exhibit news. Contact: MyraAdams01@gmail.com and Twitter @MyraKAdams.