It is here
that I pause and wonder what kind of man did Eliab seem like? He must
have been tall, with a stately demeanour. Perhaps he was handsome and
strong. Yet the LORD, who knows the heart and thoughts of man, said
to 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,” 1 Samuel 16:7.
Seven of Jesse's sons were paraded before him but Samuel replied,
“'The Lord has not chosen these.' 11 So
he asked 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,”
1 Samuel 16:10-11. When the shepherd son arrives, the Bible says, “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.'13 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,” 1 Samuel 16:12-13.
As we begin our
journey with King David, we will discover the heart of a true
worshiper. At least half of the Psalms in the Bible are written by
him. What did GOD see in the heart of David that He chose him to be
King? In both the Old and New Testaments he is referred to as a man
after GOD's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22). When do you think
his relationship with GOD started? Click on the comments link below to share your thoughts. Join us
as we embark on this exciting journey with Israel's shepherd king.
One thing I learned from this passage is that GOD is not impressed
with how we look or present ourselves to others; He is impressed by
what He sees inside our hearts. What a sobering thought!
3 comments:
David's earthly relationship with God began the very instant he was anointed by Samuel. From that moment onward, David's life was NEVER the same. His heart was a heart consecrated to GOD. He refused to retaliate against King Saul who tried on numerous occasions to kill him. David would not hurt Saul because Saul was a King chosen by GOD. We see a truly repentant heart when David came to repentance for his sin with Bathsheba. When David died, his heart was ready to meet GOD, with whom he had a personal relationship beginning the very day Saul anointed him as king.
This post brought tears to my heart because Saul was also a king chosen by God but the condition his heart led him to be "replaced by David. Saul became disobedient,an offspring of pride, arrogance and jealousy. Yes,God sees the heart of man." He looks at our hearts, not our appearance or status. We can fool man all the time but in no way can we fool God. God sees and knows the heart of man. I feel this post in a deep and challenging way, as I continue to open my heart before the Lord and allow Him to take charge my heart as He shows me reveal the dross and the cobwebs that need to be cleaned there day after day. Your posts continue to bless me in many, many ways. I thank God for you both. You are blessed.
Hi Anonymous,
Thank you for your response! I was thinking about what kind of Shepherd David must have been. When he was alone tending the flock, did he sit and ponder the majesty and beauty of the LORD? He seemed to have something in his heart toward GOD that impressed the LORD. I believe he was a worshiper...one whose heart yearned after YHWH from childhood.
As for Saul...what was in his heart? It seems that he was so concerned about impressing man more than GOD. Yes, Saul's situation is indeed a sorrowful one.
Post a Comment