DECEMBER 11 – 1 Samuel 16: 1-13

By: Barbara Reynolds

The Anointing of David as King
In today’s world of non-stop advertising that reaches us at all levels and through a variety of media, our out look on what is accepted as beautiful has become distorted. Young girls want to wear makeup, want to be skinny, expect perfect complexions, hair and lips and look in the mirror only to find disappointment with themselves. Older teens and young adults are also drawn in by the air brushed images of models and superstars, setting the bar unrealistically high for themselves and others.

In the reading for today, Samuel is looking for the new king, to be found among Jesse’s sons, all of whom are described as “tall, dark and handsome”. Samuel is surprised when God tells him that each of these young men is less than what God has in mind. God is looking for something special, found on the inside of the person he selects as king. The Lord says to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” Jesse’s youngest son, David, was God’s chosen one.

There is something very special about a person with a “beautiful” heart. It shines as brightly as the star of David and does not grow dim with age, illness or adversities.

Prayer

Dear Lord, Let my heart be pure enough to outshine outward beauty. Let me value a person by his love for his fellow man and not by his outward appearance. Let the spirit of the Lord come “mightily upon” me as it did to his chosen one, David.

Family Moment

In this passage we see how David is chosen to be King. David was the youngest son of Jesse, and no one was expecting that he would be the one to be the next King – he was merely a shepherd boy! But God has a history of working in and through the unexpected. Share with each other some of the unexpected ways you have encountered God. In verse 7 the Lord says: “…For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.” What does this mean for how we view and/or treat others?